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I have been a wrestling fan for nearly 20 years. I am HARDcore fan of WWE. When it comes to the world of professional wrestling I know my stuff and if your a fan of wrestling and you want the inside scoop of wrestling inside news , I am your source for everything wrestling.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

"The Blood Trail Down Payment" - Devotional 18 John 3;16-17



See if you can look at this image for 5 minutes.................. ............... How do you feel now? - What did you feel? You know that there are people out there who would say that the story of Jesus was just that a story. What do you think about that? How many questions do you have about Jesus , each day? What do you make of the character of Jesus?

Relax don't fret, these are all valid questions everyone has these questions.... So you want here the real of Jesus Christ. Here it is

Long ago, sin entered the world through one man's disobedience to God. Since you and I are descended from that one man, we inherited the nature of sin. God is a holy God and there is no sin in Him. Because of God's holiness, He must judge sin. His judgment is that we pay for sin with blood and death. "Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins." (Hebrews 9:22) "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) The price for sinning against God is great, more than you or I could ever afford to pay.

For this reason, God manifested Himself in the flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born a baby and lived a real life just like you and I. He died a real death just like you and I will also. After being buried in a tomb for three days, Jesus was resurrected to eternal life. You and I can have eternal life also if we put our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price for the sins of the whole world when He gave His life as a substitute for yours and mine. He died a brutal, painful, and shameful death by being hung on a cross and crucified. His blood was shed to make atonement for your sin and mine. If you accept Jesus' sacrifice for your sin, your debt is considered paid and you will be saved from condemnation because you are considered righteous before God through Jesus. "The love of God was manifested toward us, in that, God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this, is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:9-10) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

Receive God's free gift of salvation by accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Pray to God the Father, in the name of Jesus, and ask Him to forgive your sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10) When you do this, you become born again by the Spirit of God. "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God." (1 John 5:1)

When you become born again, God considers you His child because of His Holy Spirit in you. "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16) "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:16-17)

"It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) If we believe in Jesus, although our bodies die physically, our spirits will live eternally with God because we will not be judged unrighteous. "He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11) "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) HALLELUJAH!!!


This information was sourced by the link above

Still not convinced.....

WATCH THIS




John 3:16-17 (New International Version)

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Tradition isn't the mission Devotional 17 Colossians 2:8




I have a couple of questions for you, 1. Who do you think Jesus is?
This question was brought to my attention after hearing KJ52 Daily Bible reading.
I can tell you one thing it made think. God often challenges us on a daily basis but how often are we listening? As I sit here about to eat an apple and hearing the sounds of KJ52 song I got it, got it, I often wonder, do we really got it?

Why do I bring this issue up? Well it seems to me that the secular society is split in two sections. One group of people want to live for themselves and still want all the perks that go along with believing in God. Than there is the other people who could care less, for the sake of a point lets call them Atheists.

I come from an Italian family very rich , in tradion. It is common in my huge Italian family for young babies to get baptized this a seen as a sign of respect in the eyes of God and the church. But next to that , thats pretty much it. After the baptism life pretty much begins as normal.

Often in Italian families there are very strong high morals for God. It is understood in famiiles such as mine, respect for God is the common first rule of an Italian household. After that is understood we are all kind of left doing our own thing we live life with no real sense of direction. All we know is what we are taught. What we are taught is to respect God. But see here's where the problem is , nobody knows how to go about it in my family.

1. Is it reading the Bible?
2. Is it going to church?
3. Is it praying?

I have a answer to all three of those questions. The answers is NO.
Its not a specific duty you do that pleases God.
He not going judge you if you went into church with sweats or a suit.
He is looking for one more thing, that people seem to forget, he's looking for a connection with people like you and me.

Its not going to chutch that pleases God, Don't just go to church because you have to. In a sense of that it feels like a chore more than anything else. Be happy because you GET to go to church.

Don't read the Bible and be done with it. Anybody can read a book, but not everyone can read a Bible.
So whats the secret? - How do you read a Bible? You desire to read it. Thats the big secret you have to desire to want to read the Bible.

In Prayer- Don't pray because you want something. If you do something like that its kind of like creating one big long Christmas list.
What I always do is a praise an than pray.


Colossians 2:8 (New International Version)

8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.




Through that the real passion for Christ can be seen.
So I ask you Who do you think Jesus is?

("Anthony*)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

ROCKBAND: : A NERDS EVOLUTION








Rock and Roll is constantly sang about. It is always appreicated in different ways, through tattoos, piecerings, t-shirts, merchandise and now video games. There was first Guitar hero, and you know the rest is history... Don't mistake Rockband popularity. You have heard of the term "NERD" well along with pretty much everything else in the world , the so called nerds have evolved.

In the early 90's one TV SHOW had what seemed to be the perfect image of what a nerd is susposed to be like. That show was Family Matters. Family Matters was a very popular show featured on such stations as ABC , TBS NBC, you get the picture the show was popular. On that show they had a character his name Steve Urkel. He was clumsy, dorky, snorty, wore glasses and he was always at the top of his class.
Did I forget to mention he never got the girl. Oh but he tried, many , many, many, many , many times.
Back than it was not cool to be a nerd.




You many be sitting there scratching your heads trying to figure out how Rockband relates to Steve Urkel. Heck even the name "Urkel sounds dorky. Rockband has picked up so much steam , that the popularity is overwhelming. Anybody who's anybody knows what Guitar hero or Rockband is. I'd say its alot less confusing than trying to figure the chemical balance for salt. Theres one thing that needs to be understood about the popularity of Rockband if it wasn't for radio ,Much Music and MTV.
Rockband would cease to exist.
Video example OF this thing called "Nerd" is a video by CHRISTIAN RAPPER, FRIEND AND MY MENTOR. KJ52 with his song - Revenge of the Nerds.



What do I mean by that, well picture this The band Green day doesn't release their album Nookie, even more, what if there was no Kurt Cobain Nirvana, What about the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Eagles, My Chemical Romance, The Beatles Bob Dylan, Bob Marley. Metallica, ACDC. The point of all that is , those bands mentioned in the previous line are all famous bands, but at the same time MTV, Much Music, and radio stations alike would cease to exist. Same goes for the artists radio is responsibile for 80% of a songs popularity. They each have their role , a partnership that can only be described in two words. "PERFECT HARMONY."

These days music has been taken to a level of higher appreication with the invention of video games like RockBand. Everybody whos anybody had dreams of growing up and one day to become a famous rocker. It is because of the music that ideas like that are not only thought about but possible.

Look down at a certain title essay, entitled the needle and the damage done. The whole concept of the essay was based upon my experiences in music. In the essay they were bands mentioned that I grew listening to too. Most of the music I heard was on a station FM96.

With the popularity of Rockband, everybody is into it. Its become bigger than just a fad, its a become a reality. You would think that people playing Rockband aren't very social because all they do is sit around and play vido games, but thats not the case. If everybody enjoys the game, how much of nerd can you be?

Let me take you back to Family Matters just for a moment, if you recall, Steve Urkel made a "cool gene." This cool gene was made so that Steve Urkel would fit in and most of all it was made to pick up Laura Winslow the love of his life. In a way the invention of RockBand for video gamers was like a cool gene. How do I know this, because I AM A ROCKBAND NERD. THIS IS MY BAND MEMBERS.

I am apart of 3 ROCKBAND groups

Anthony - Vocals
Sara - Drums
Dario - BASS
GIA - Lead Guitar

We are none to the world as : The Hybolic Silverfish

Second Band

Anthony- Vocals
Chad -Lead Guitar
We are known as "REAL DROPOUTS"

Why do I mention all this you, well on May 16, 2009 I am hosting an event called the "superrific day of rock. On that night there will be a coopertive competition of an 86 song marathon. Complete with the full Rockband experience which will include stage kit. On that night a reunion of sorts will take place, a reunion big than Roamie and Michelle. A reunion bigger than the members of the Breakfast Clubs, the Mighty Ducks , Mario and Luigi and The T-Birds (Gease) On that night the greatest and awesome reunion will take place, 4 members apart we are nothing but dust, together we stand tall as "The baddest mothers to come out of 1985, and we will be living like rebels without a cause.

Nathan Inness
Ryan Scott
Brandon Nahrgang
Anthony Sicilia

TOGETHER WE ARE THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE THAT WILL THE WORLD LIKE A HURICANE.




to see the full article click here: http://berealanthman.blogspot.com/2009/04/rockbanda-concert-live-from-your-couch.html
Written














Anthony

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

STICKAM Presents: The A Plus Hour



The A + Plus Hour
Can be heard at http://www.stickam.com/member/myPage.do

Showtimes Saturday 10pm - 12am

Show includes
News
Sports
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Music Mash Up
Devotional Reading
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Saturday, April 18, 2009

From pit to pastor- Devotional 16



















Forgive me at first hand, this is a bit long....

Do you ever get the days where you get a sudden epiffany? How clear do they seem to you? In my own little world that I'm in I would call those ideas revelations.


The day was May 26, 1985, the time was 1:30 pm. At Victoria Hospital in London Ontario. My parents had just recieved terrible news concerning me.

The doctor said words that would shake anybody to their knees, but not parents.
Doctor: It seems like your baby boy has suffered serve damage to the left side of his brain.

In fact my parents (father especially) used this news as movitaion, all the doctors that we all saw, said one thing. This boy will never lead a nornmal life. He will never walk so don't even try... This news infuriated my dad to accept the diagnosis.


Years passed and I became aware of my differences, I hated , I never could be the quote on quote normal child that I wanted to be. I never was the strongest, the tallest, I had to wear smaller clothes than usual for my age, because I could never grow. So I grew up with plenty of hatered for the world and my differences...

I was determined to lead a "normal life" So I began to watch wrestling to escape the pain of living with terrible burden. Infact there was a time that I was acting like the wrestlers I saw on TV.

Thats right could you imagine me having all the wrestling weights , which were blue and working out to the Hulk Hogan excercise cassette tapes. I did everything I could to catch up with rest of the world.

At the age of 14, I came face to face with the reality of death in the loss of my grandmother, before that I just thought everyone just lived forever.


After my granmothers death, I was pretty depressed and wanted to search for a reason why that had happen. Thats where Kristin came in.

At the time I didn't know her but we had a friend in common so I sent her a random message. She was actually pretty nice about everything. She introduced me to music that I now can't live without hearing music from Kutless, Casting Crowns, Rebecca St. James, Chris Tomlin and many others.

From the word of God she sugguested that I join a website called TDDM which stands for Teen Daily Devotional Ministry. She was like my counsoler to me she was so kind. From that site I met my dear friend Silvie. She had such a passion for Jesus it resembled in the way she spoke to me. She is a person who assuming overwhelming happiness.

In Addition I made numerous friends from the sites ministry site. As time went though, I got pulled away , my friedns thought I was just a bit off my rocker. It became too hard to be a Christian.

So I faded fast as a clump of sand stives through your fingers I was barely gripping the concepts being taught to me. I would be at home, where it would resemble a battlefield more than an actual family.

Years later I asked to leave home and asked to live with other family members. The arguements at home at this point got very intese and very bloody. It usually ended with me crawling on the floor, or in a ball covering up.

It turned out the most of the family I lived refused to look at the situation from my point of view. I just wanted all of their viewpoints and opinions out of the era of the time of 50's .




As a child I would be watching wrestling and then they would go to a shoot interview featuring The Undertaker and or The Ultimate Warrior.
When this happened I would leap in the air and hide behind the living room couches and plug my ears.

Reguardless of that fact I would never be short on things to say , I would stand a mere 3"5 and weigh 50-60 pounds at 14. Yes you heard me right I really did weigh that much.

Which is why I loved wrestling so much , because I could focus on entertainment and for a few moments maybe a hour or two I could just enjoy life without having to be involved in fight with my parents or worry about my eatting disorder.

I still say that The Ultimate Warrior was just a bit crazy for me. But on the other hand The Undertaker did make me cry when I saw him at a random event at the CNE. He appeared out of nowhere walking to the ring, everything went dark and I was freaked... I honestly thought he was the boogyman. (the actual one.)

You can judge for yourself as I will post some videos of the two.

Anyway as time passed the fear of The giant of a man known as the Undertaker passed

Days before I left for college, I forgave my mother and father for how they abused me. They laughed and I went off to college.

I started at Conestoga in Kitchener under journalism, I did this because I loved to write. I got out of Journalism because I saw this news thing invovling THE WWE and CNN. I decided from that point on that even though I was a good journalism student, I wanted no part of that business.

I wasn't into ruining people reps. I had too much respect for wrestling superstars , heck I grew up watching them from a very young age. Most people childhood hereos would be Batman, Superman, Heman, Spiderman , members of the Fantasic 4. I had my heroes, They were Hulk Hogan, Brett Hart, Sting and even Rocky Bollea himself.
Frankly wrestlers known as The Ultimate Warrir and The Undertaker scared the living daylights out of me.


As I mentioned before it got extremely hard for me to be a Christian. I let it go really I went to college and enjoyed much of the party scene. It was a way for me to be cool, but one night I overstepped my bounds amd I would say, I was all partied out.

I was invovled in a drinking contest, and without a word I drank a mickie of rum and coke in under a minute. (No word of a lie) I ended up on the floor, I was picked up by friends and after throwing up numerous times, I somehow crawled on my stomach using every ounce of my shaking cold body to reach a phone. To call 911.

I did and I was treated for alcohol poisoning. That was the scariest night of my life, much scarier than the Undertaker. I know the people that carried my limp body to my room was quite scared, I was quickly freezing and my body temperature was dropping fast.

I was taken in the emerge by Grand River and was treated for alcohol posioning. I forgot to mention I also had 2 yes 2 thermal blankets on me to keep me warm and for my body temperature to regulate.

After that night I had begged my parents that I needed to move from this place that I was living in which was the local residence. It was too much for me. This caused my parents to have distress, mainly because at the res there was secruity, Reguardless of how my parents felt, I was presistant that I needed to move away.

When I moved I moved in a perfect area with a church a six minute walk from my house. Oh and it also a grocery store in the same area with a Dairy Queen and Tim Hortons in the same distance from eachother.

I went began to attend church and I enjoyed it infact that it was one of the places where I would feel like I was home. I could really find peace in Christ and Church. Along with the music I enjoyed it immensely. I got introduced to a rapper KJ52 (a Chtistian rapper, who became like my mentor. I became so involved with Christian music that I appllied for radio with dreams of going to work at Faith FM. I didn't get in but I was still hungry for God.

Reguardless of that , I still had my passion for music and got so invvolved it was like I had a plan for mysel without really consulting God on it... Now it is evidant that I LOVE TO TALK. I love God and I wanted to make a huge impact and give him praise for everything that I went through, and through it alll, I was very happy that Christ still called to me.

As I said I was into rap music, and that would have to be because of wresttler/rapper John Cena who wrote some killer lyrics. I still listen to some of Cena to remind myself of where I have been and what it took me to get here. Even I need some reminding now and than.
I now have grown so much in Christ, seeking and making friends. I can say that Krista and Amanda as sisters and friends and now my sisters in Christ have a very big impact, because they constantly speak to me and proudly testify about Jesus.


I would attribute people like Kristin , Melanie, KJ52, Casting Crowns, Kutless, my brother Angelo, Nathan Innes, Frank Struth, Silvie Jones, Reva Weeks, John Cena, Sting, the Hulkster, Taker, as being pilars to myself needing Christ.

Why would I consider them my piiars that lead me to faith, well its simple really I seeked foundation. My dad who is a brick layer, once said to me ,it is hard for a house to stand if they have no foundation.


What I believe I must do now is preach the gospel and become a pastor , use the gift of my speech to make disciples.
Mathew 28:19 Therefore go to them baptizing them in the name of the father , son and the holy ghost.

In a way if I was a tree and Jesus was the gardener people like John Cena , Jesus, Kristin , Silvie, Reva, Nathan, Taker KJ52, Frank Struth Casting Crowns, Sting and Hulk Hogan are my vines and I am the branch - *used as a metafor. John 15:1,2,3

I attritube all the praises to Jesus for alloing to come to him and feel not alone with the spirit of Jesus that lives within me, feel more alive than ever.

" The Undertaker" once said "Sometimes its hell trying to get to heaven." I think that is nicely put and thats the story of how I came from bottom of the pit to pastor.
Frank asked me a while ago if that desire of becoming a pastor still exist. I can say this. IT DOES, IT DOES....

Here is the difference between John Cena and KJ52
The Contrast is cool which why I love rap music, I don't listen rap for the beats but for the message being sung.....



John Cena - Right Now





The contrast between Undertaker and Warior - who is more scary?


The Undertaker


The Ultimate Warrior


When talking and making a devotional which discusses wrestling I would remise if I didn't include this video.....



"Anthony"

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Weakness and Strength go hand in hand - Testimony to a life with Christ








Warning
_______________________________________________________________________________
Some of the content in this post is very open. Some viewers may not like what they read, this is a message to the people the world who know me well and mostly this is a broken teary eyed confession to God. A word to the unbelievers if you doubt the higher power of God. I urge all of you to examine my story. I hope that it speaks to you ro begin a relationship with God, if you haven't already started.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Have you ever heard of the expression "what doesn't KILL you makes you stronger?
If you want to know my big secret here it is. I'm a Christian.

Not one of those Christians that just goes to church on Sundays and than does what he wants for the rest of the week. No sir, that life isn't for me.

I lived that life and still professed I was a Christian. But during the week I would be like everyone else in the world, hitting on girls, drinking, never doing homework and most of all.

I didn't know anything about the Bible. As I was going along in life as we so often do I was spending time with my fair share of girls, thinking ok "Anthony your in college now, your going have a chance to sleep with all these girls."

Well to explain to you the REASON I crawled and cried for Christ Jesus can be described in one word. "patterns." I grew up like any other kid loving family with some issues but were hidden from everybody else.

Level ONE of my Patterns
---------------------------


I was born and died only to be revived by hospital staff.
When I was incohearant on the brink of death the doctors told my parents that I had suffered servere damage to my brain, due to the lack of oxygen that I recieved.

I was born the with my twin brother Angelo who I am older to by 3 minutes. He hates it when I mention that, but hey I'm not going to argue with facts because sometimes thats just the way things go.

The so called damage to btain left me with a disabilluty which the health care professionals would call Cerebral Palsy.

I don't my parents were fully ready for the responsibillity that came with me. It was hard on them from the get go. My mother and father were simple factory workers in the area Stratford Ontario.

Alot of sacrifices were made on my parents behalf so that I could have a subpar life even with the difficulties of my disabillity.
My father did everything he could to help me. To say that I had a normal childhood would be an overstatement. I spent most of child visiting doctors , specialists and going in and out of hospitals.

It first started out with 1 surgery than 2, then 6 , 9 and finally 11. Yes that is correct you heard me right I did say 11 surgies.

Pattern 2
------------

Even though my parents did everything they could for me, Life at home was difficult. I was a very bitter child, suffering from an eating disorder. Just how bad was this eating disorder. I can admit now I never liked it much at home, I spent numerous days at my Gtandmothers house.

I can honestly say this, the very reason I managed to survive my childhood was becaause of the time I spent with my grandmother. There I was the happiest because my grandparents didn't look at me as a disappointment, but it was the complete opposite.

They spent a little more than there remaining years spending time with me. Come to think of it, I can't imagine what there phone bill must have been like. I must have called there six times a day. I was 11 years old when my grandmother took me to my first church services. I couldn't really understand what it actually meant to go ton church.

At the age of 14 I lost my grandma, it was extremely hard on me, she became like a mother to me. I was shaken to the very foundation of my bones.

I was tramatized. That was my first experience with death.
That night I was devastated , I cried out to the Lord for understanding/ "Lord if you are real why didn this happen.

Pattern 3
-------------
In the recent events of the loss of my grandmother, I tried to do everything I could do to change my life for the better. Because I wanted to see her one day. My friends thought I was a bit crazy.

I would take the bible everywhere I went. But as time went on being a "Christian," got too hard. I again became like everyone else. I wanted to do because I just wanted to fit in and hide my pain. I thought if I could be like everyone else then I will be accepted by society.

In a search for my family one day, I came across a girl who shaLL just be named for purposes of safety she shall be named K.

She became a fast friend I never did find my family until one year later. As it ended up we became distant through the years, but she taught me a very lesson in kindness. Despite the events of today she has to this day has taught to be kind.

At 22, I entered my first year of college at Conesoga studying journalism, I enjoyed the party lifestyle I made some good friends. After a while with the stress of my program weighing down upon me.

I became a huge partier to escape the stress.
One night I was in drinking contest and I egotistical thinking that I win it all.
So I drank a mickie of rum and coke in a bottle.

I nearly died of alcohol posioning that night. May body temperature quickly dropped. I would throw up numerous times and need assistance from the local hospital. The ambulance had put 2 thermol blankets on me to keep body temperature up.

Pattern 4
---------------
In an effort to get my feet grounded, I searched for an outside way to escape. I wanted to come back to live the good life. I wanted to come back to God. So I asked God to forgive me of my sins, and asked to help me find a connection with him again. I prayed and prayed. There were many nights where I felt alone. There was many nights where I felt disconnected to God.


I made a big move to a house which I love. I got away from the party scene and began to pray even harder. I still felt disconnected to God to a point I mean I had my fair share of sins , and I felt as though even though I may try to renew my life. God would never accept me.

Than I had a discussion with some members of my church and they stressed the importance of reading the bible to be strong in your walk with God. On March, 1 I made a choice to fully commit to the Lord. Much like a now or never sanerio. I'm glad I choose the now.... First when I came to Christ when I was 14, I did that whole God thing, I even got into the music.

But after a while the music became sappy, I needed music with an upbeat tempo. To be more specific I became interested in intense rap, like music from John Cena. It was orignally pretty easy to get into music from Cena. Because he was a wrestler from the WWE. If anybody knows me well enough they know that I LOVE wrestling. I mean come on as a small child I used to work out to Hulk Hogan cassettes.

I loved the rap by John Cena, it had an edge to that I was pleased with. But I still wanted that Christian value so I searched on YouTube for more Christian music. I searched for Rap that was Christian. I heard of artists like T-bone, Toby Mac and DC Talk. I came across an artist that I never heard of before. KJ52. Now his songs were pretty stellar. He had such an impact on me , he became my music mentor.

I tuned into to his Monday devotionals and searched for more music. He had such an impact on me that I would read the bible everyday. I liked KJ52 devotionals so much that I became more involved with my church by joining small study groups, disciplships and more. On March 1 , 2009 I was baptized and had a very powerful testimony.

The point being I have faced some of the darkest days and if I had to do I'd do it all over again , because I know before you get strength in the Lord you have to become weak. We all can have hope in Jesus Christ.

Bless the patterns of my life, for through the darkness I saw the light and was never left alone in the dark. But now I shine with the light of life.
It first started with 1 Christian friend in `99 then it became 2 in 2000, than 3 in 2001, than 6 in 2002, than 8 in 2007, than a multitude of a family of Christians in 2009.

"Anthony"

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Did you have your V8 today? -Devotional 15



When you were younger, did your parents ever tell you to eat your veggtables? Did they ever say;

"Hey if you eat your vegtables you will become big an strong?
My parents did.
Alot good that did because I'm still skinny and I wish I had the strength of Popeye.
It didn't work out that way....
I came across a title such as this one for devotional because a friend asked why do I write devotionals? Well its simple really I want to grow strong in my walk with God.

How do I strengthen my walk with God. I do that by reading the Word and by spending time with him. So I was left to contemplate what was my purpose for writing devotionals. I got thirsty so I went to the fridge and got a drink of V8. When I was nearly finished I had an epiffany.

Matthew 4:4:

But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Mathew 4:4

If you want to strengthen and empower your relationship with God
Than spend time him , it is no different than building a friendship with school-mate.
If we spend time reading God's word, we will gain strength much like vegtables and V8 help the human body to grow.






"Anthony "

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Branded from Day One Devotional 14



In today;s world it is difficult to have faith. Difficult yes but not impossible.

I read a recent journal article found on Msn.com.

The title of the article was "End of Christian America.

It stated that in America there was a survey done to ask people if they believe in God.

The results were stunning. In the prevvious year of 2008. 8% admitted they don't believe in God.

In 2009 the study was done again. The study this year revealed that 20% of people in America do not believe in God.

Most of the world made advances in medicine , science and technology. Leaving some to question does a world with this much intelligence really need God?

We live in a world where we all have become independent thinkers.

Let me ask you a question , are you loved by the world?

John 15:19 (King James Version)

19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Throughout my lifetime I would have 15 surgeries to correct my Cerebral Palsy. I get this question all the time.
"Anthony if there is a special surgery that can allow you to walk straighter. Would you have it done? I reply "I am not of this world, MY so called disabillity is my brand by God. Do I belong, in this world, I have a much better waiting for me.





For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor 4:18b).




"Anthony"

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Don't Stray Devotional 13



Hello world! Anthony is back again for another post.
Due to recent events and a recent devotional entitled cafeteria christian the topic under discussion for today is Don't stray Remember Jesus For that we will be look at Pslams 40: 1, 2, 3. To reflect, there was plenty of anger when I posted to my status on Facebook. The status read something like this, Anthony is disappointed in Iowa's gay marrige bill. Wheres God at? Soddom and Gomorrah part 2.
With all being said , within 30 minutes I recieved 76 comments about my facebook status. Most of which were people complaining and outragged at me for what had been postede. But make no mistake about it, I do stand by what I said. God comes first, the people second. It was my opinion , I didn't ask for the comments of rage. Most were outragged at me because they never took the time to understand how I was feeling at that time. They just spit words of anger at me using the bible. Thats not what the bible is used for people. Anyway I explained my situation to my friend Amanda and she said that was good that I defended God. We started talking and I told her that I wanted to be involved in Christian radio. I was thinking of the impact I wanted to make on Christian music, so I did a random search through Pslams.
I started to read Pslams 40:1, 2, 3. Those little verses although not long , gave me courage to press on. 1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.


2 He brought me up also out of a horrible pit,
out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my goings.


3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth,



Broken down into plain English
1. Can be understood as I waited for the Lord to finally hear me.
2. Can be understood as, he picked up by the hands and made him known to me at my lowest point. He revealed himself to me. He gave me a church which can be understood as my rock. Matthew 16:18 (New International Version)
18And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.[c]
3. He put a song in my mouth can be understood as to glorify Christian music, because I am not part of the secular world anymore.

I have posted songs that I would like to play for Christian radio. #1- 43.
I have also posted a video explaining my devotional.





Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones









("Anthony")

Monday, April 6, 2009

CAFETERIA CHRISTIANS - ! Devotional 12



Before I begin I would like to apologize for being a bit long.


Recently I have become what seems to me to known as the most hated oppresser on Facebook. What am I oppressor of? Gay rights.

Some people would call me a Christian fundamentalist. I assure you I am none such the kind. This issue of Gay marrige presented itself to me, when I was watching YouTube and the Iowa Supreme Court on same sex couples.

As this is a very hot button topic, it is obvious to see their are many opinions. I only heard of Facebook's thoughts on this issue yesterday. To show you what I mean by that I will post there recent reaction I had recieved from people on this issue.

If numbers is what you want , than I can tell you this much. I posted my reaction to the news out of Iowa in my Facebook Status and with in 40 minutes, I recieved 76 comments.


With that being said here are the response..... You can view the response this topic by click this link. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=510867355&v=feed&story_fbid=69574007750

Amongst all the uproar of this issue. I have something to say that can hopefully allow people to understand how I was feeling.


Growing up if I learned anything from my parents at all it is this, "God is put first in your life."
I don't like these snarly responses but some of you, at all. You pick apart the bible to support your "theroies" Some people said to me yesterday , how can I be so closed minded. "I should be a Christian" A Christian is accepting and loving.
Then I heard some thoughts from numerous on this topic.

To me it seemed that they were bringing more anger into their statements and arguements rather than purpose and reason. From my view on yesterdays discussions I gathered this. People want to have a loving and respectful God. However they don't want to take responsibillity for their actions. Some people don't realize that believing in Jesus means to have a CONSTANT relationship. To those others If you say your truly Christian than you would cast your wants out of our lives and put them second to God's. What really gets me fustrated with people is the fact that people believe if they know who Jesus is than that is enough. Well thats not it at all.

Maybe people feel like following God's standards is too difficult. To them I have this answer, Romans 3:23 (New International Version)

23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

It is difficult but its not impossible.

Lets take a look at some other verses.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14


The Bible calls Satan the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV), and in this age we can never be completely free of his influence. It contaminates all aspects of life today—politics, music, entertainment, education, and even religion. The apostle Paul described Satan as the "prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2).

Satan can prey on attitudes, moods and feelings. He is especially tuned to negative emotions like vanity, pride, hurt feelings, revenge and lust. He is ready to fan the embers of discontentment into flames of hatred, and is always eager to coax the first stirring of temptation into the reality of sin. (Temptation, when resisted, is not sin. Even Jesus was tempted by Satan, but he did not sin.) Wherever human beings are, he is there also, waiting for those moments when a man, woman or even a nation can be tempted, deceived and started on the road to ruin.

Satan’s rule as "god of this world" will be over when he is removed and replaced by Jesus Christ at his return. But until that happens, we must be aware of him. Aware, but not afraid. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," advises James 4:7.

To resist spiritual influence, you need spiritual power. Human beings were created in the image of God, but with a physical frame. How do we get the spiritual power to resist Satan and worship God in "spirit and in truth"?

This Gay rights thing is just the beginning to the end of the world and judgement passed by God.


Final thought
____________________
John 3:16 (New International Version)

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.







Heres a link to an article I found and read today on Msn. The title of the article is called The end of Christian America.

http://services.newsweek.com/search.aspx?q=Author:^"jon%20meacham"$&sortDirection=descending&sortField=pubdatetime&offset=0&pageSize=10

("Anth")

The needle and the damage done



Anthony Silicia
April 6th 2009
Foundations of Writing
COMP 1500 Section 1
5324090





The Needle and the Damage Done
By Anthony Sicilia
The reason why this argumentative essay is entitled, The Needle and the Damage Done, to symbolically suggest the damaging effects music can have in our society. It is understood that music is a form of expression through emotion. Music can motivate, it can empower, and it can also decide the effects of vocabulary. In this essay, the topics under discussion are; Social State, Psychological State, and Emotional State.

To explain reasons into how socially subculture music is recent interviewer, Frank Struth, has this to say, "Music can be a very powerful force, which can impact our mood and devotions. Our culture is really shaped by the music scene." The Parental Advisory Explicit sticker is seen everywhere on CD's these days. But to be given understanding how music has evolved, we must take our selves back, way back to the era of the 60's, and the evolution of the freedom of speech movement. During the 50's and 60's music in general was "clean" and "polite". No offensive material in the form of lyrics wouldn't ever think of being promoted or sang about on air. However, musicians still felt they wanted to express themselves, and they had a right to. To do so, they came up with creative lyrics in essence to what society would call "sticking it to the man". Musicians came up with the concept of creative lyrics because they wanted equal air time on the radio. In addition, they wanted their message to be heard from around the world.

Very popular songs sung by The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Neil Young were chart toppers. The Beatles, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", has many literal interpretations. To a fan, the song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" may be considered as a "groovy" song. In addition, a verse from the famous Beatles tune "a girl with kaleidoscope eyes" could be interpreted as as girl high on drugs. Bob Dylan's, "Mr. Tambourine Man", when first heard may be interpreted as just a good old-fashion song. However, "Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me, in the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you. “Could be literally interpreted as Dylan seeking drugs from a drug dealer and in the morning still receiving shakes from the "high" and is motivated to seek more drugs.

During the 60's these were "polite" and "clean" lyrics. Well-renouned radio announcer and host of the on-going history of new music which is syndicated on over 50 radio stations around Canada Alan Cross says this in an interview. Radio as we know it is under constant censorship control, it is important that no "uber bad" language is played on the radio before 9 o'clock p.m. There is really no way around hearing explicit lyrics. However, it is a matter of taste. When it comes to rap and swearing, Cross does not feel like swearing in rap songs does the rap stars justice because he says "it takes no talent to swear". In the report, Rap on Rap, Kill if you want to kill by Bill O'Reilly. Shaggy, of the Insane Clown Posse, is quoted as saying in the article, "with those kid's vulgarity in their speech, an anti-white attitude and acceptance of dope and violence. The only way that they are likely to leave the hood is on a stretcher". Furthermore, The ICP member says "if people don't wish to hear the explicate language in our songs, then they should turn off the radio".

It is understood that in music people adapt likings to many different genres. The artist known an Eminem is no exception. On the release of the "Marshall Mathers LP" Album the label was considering not releasing the CD due to over explicate and profane lyrics. The gay and lesbian alliance has issued a statement declaring that the "Marshall Mathers LP" contains the most blatantly homophobic lyrics they have seen in its many years.

As it was stated in the beginning of the essay music can have an emotion effect on us as human beings. The songs we hear can affect us emotionally in the sense that we could cry, scream at the top of our lungs in anger, or just bob our heads. Take for instance the band Metallica; some people may consider that the band promotes Satanism. Others may feel that be band "rocks". To find out answers to these questions, investigation is necessary. Local Toronto DJ, 2000 & Nate has a perfect response to how bands like Metallica and others can affect us. He states in an interview that "There is constant controversy in any genre of music, whether you like the song or not is a matter of personal preference, and you are responsible for what you listen to". To counter that argument, Local Kitchener musician, known for his acoustics, Rory O’Keefe, says this when asked if vocabulary can impact us as humans, "I believe that indeed music from today can affect our vocabulary, you see it every day and every time you walk down the street. More and more kids are swearing and using profanity at younger age". He then adds, "I feel that record stores should take more responsibility when selling records to "minors".

Now we develop an insight into the psychological effects that music has on us. Without a doubt, every musician's goal is to deliver a message and for that message to be heard. People have many different interpretations of specific lyrics and "messages". Some would say these messages encourage bad behaviour. Others would say it is just music, and that is just the way it is. This is especially become a hot topic with the advancement of the freedom of speech. We have come a long way - as musicians and fans of alike. What some parents may consider "good music", their kids may consider boring, and need more of an "edge". Regardless of societies opinions on music and all the freedoms the musicians now have there is still control from "the man".

In the suicide letter of Kurt Cobain he writes a warning, "all the warnings from the punk rock 101 courses over the years since my first introduction to, shall we say - ethics. Involved with independence and the embracement of your community proven to the true. I hadn't felt excitement of listen and creating music along with reading and writing for too many years now. I feel guilty beyond words". Also in his suicide note, he says, "the worst crime I can think of would be to rip people off by faking it and pretending as if I'm having 100% fun". Ending the note with "Peace, Love and Empathy".

The final thoughts are that society knows this much about music. It can uplift people when they are having a crappy day. Adrenaline can pump; heart racing can occur all for the sake at listeners enjoy their style of music. However, in genres of today it is difficult to see where artists draw the line. This is due to the freedom of speech. Take for instance, the utter desensitization of lyrics from today’s musicians. The culture, and make no mistake about it, music is a culture, is so desensitized from what is being aired on the radio that phrases and words like "I want to fuck you", "Bitch", "Nigger" are socially acceptable to society. There is an acceptance and common understanding and possibly a realization that fans understand that musicians want to speak their minds. But musicians have a responsibility to their lyrics, and how they affect people.

If this downward spiral into music "ethics" continues we will have to go back to the 60's where all messages were put into other less offensive terms, but are still understood by their fans and were acceptable for radio. But, as 2000 & Nate states earlier music is a matter of personal preference. The battle for music ethics starts now. The decision is in the hands of the fans when it comes to what they listen to.
M

52 TELEVISION

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Sometimes "Its hell trying to get to heaven" Devotional 11




I was watching wrestling this week WWE RAW, they were doing a promo for something they would like to call WRESTLEMANIA!

To wrestlers being able to attend or compete in the massive media event is like the biggest event in their companies history.

Much like what the World Serird is to baseball, Stanley Cup is to hockey and the NHL. Now that you get the point, let me go into the main reason why I bring that up. This week on the "male soap oprea"

two characters known as Shawn Micheals and The Undertaker were building a rivalry. Michaels is a well known Christian. The character of The Undertaker is to repersent everything dark and evil. The Undertaker once said this week to his rival "Its hell trying to get to heaven."

I then had a conversation with my roomate Stacey and I asked her What does she make of God rules? She responded - "Its just too hard and not fair."

Today we look at these bible verses
Romans 3:23 says this 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Following that is a verse from Gensis - Genesis 1:14 (New International Version)

14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years. The point is that is exactly right, it is too hard to follow God. Its not impossible though. God has a call to salvation for all men.

Let the things of this world go, and let God's great light inside your life.

("Anthony Sicilia")