Spirituality

Julio Anta from Agnostic to Christian

How I Came to Christ from Agnostic to Christian 

I came to the USA 3 weeks before my 5th Birthday from the oppressed communist country of Cuba. At a very young age in the 1960’s I told my dad that I wanted to look like Steve Reeves the screen Hercules and be a black belt. As child I was raised catholic yet did not like going to church. I was a small, sick kid. I was the last one picked in sports. Around Jr. High, through high school and college I was brained washed by the school system and the media and became super liberal and agnostic. Imagine how my parents felt who had left communism. 

In the winter of 1980 I enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves. Before I went to bootcamp I met a guy Mario Lima that had been in the USMC and had gotten out with a medical discharge. He had gone in to avoid going to prison. He told me how hard it was to survive USMC bootcamp and that when I got there I would get close to God and read the Bible they gave me. He told me that I would be anxious to get my Marine Corps issue Bible. Granted this guy was not a Christian or was living a Godly life when he told me this. I laughed thinking it was a joke. Yet, it did stick in my mind. On Dec 2, 1980 I get to bootcamp and it was hell. They call Marine Corps training center in Parris Island S.C. “the land that God forgot.” Yet, that is where I started believing in God again. I was anxious to get my Bible and read it everyday. I went to the Catholic service in Bootcamp, it was the only church I knew. I did not miss a day of church. I promised God that if I made it through bootcamp I would never miss a Sunday in church. I graduated from bootcamp and did not go back to church. At least I now had my faith back.

Around 1982 some of my bodybuilding friends accepted the Lord and began going to a Christian church. One day I went to the toilet to do number 2 and blood came out. Even thought this had happen before in bootcamp I panicked and though that something terrible was happening to me. This incident drove me to put on the TV to the Christian station and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. The next day I called my friend Richardo Velez (who resembled Arnold face and physically)  and told him what had happened. He invited me to a Baptist Church. My parents were not happy . My mom was a devoted Catholic who was going to be a nun until my dad got in the way. My father didn’t go to church much but he was more into idol worshiping. My mom called my crazy Marine Corps Reserves friend who we called psycho to talk to me. He told me how concerned my parents were and that he knew I was not happy and I was not the same person he knew. I spend 3 months going to church and back slid. I believed in God knew I needed to a relationship with Jesus Christ yet did not want to give up my life of partying, womanizing and going to the beach. 

 

I was a shy very guy and a slow gainer when I started bodybuilding. Yet, by now I was getting bigger and my body became my facade. Girls would come to me and start conversations. My life was Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to the disco club. Saturday and Sundays to the beach. Monday to Friday to the gym. I couldn’t hold a steady good job. Because of my lifestyle priorities. I competed in 1983 and placed 3rd in both the Miami and Jr Florida Bodybuilding Championships. I had an illness in 1984, which set me back. I made a comeback and competed again in 1985. In 85 I put together a bodybuilding show with my bodybuilding friends and we would perform in discos, events and we even performed in the Collegian Bodybuilding Nationals. Life was what I dreamed of since I was a small child, girls, muscles and fame. 

 

I started doing martial arts again while I continue bodybuilding. I had done martial arts on and off yet bodybuilding was my love and priority. I enter a tournament in 1986. While sparring I partially dislocated my shoulder. I continue to fight and partially dislocate my other shoulder. I still continue to fight. When your adrenaline is going you don’t feel the pain. I lost the match 3 to 2. Now when the match was over I was in so much pain that I could not take my Gi top off to change. 

 

I was told that I should never lift weights or do martial arts again because my shoulders will get worse. A few weeks later I come to the gym yet there was a lot of exercises I can not do. I also lost strength. My facade was my body and it was now shrinking. I had a crazy girl friend that would say that she was a white witch. Imagine that a guy that had accepted the Lord ended up with a witch. I lost my part time job at a liquor store because she came to my job and started an argument with me. This was a few months before I dislocated my shoulders. She started seeing a bodybuilding friend of mind who was also in my Bodybuilding show behind my back. She broke up with me. To top it off my car blew its engine. I thought that I was living a great life before this happen. Yet, I was a complete failure. Now I’m feeling depressed looking at my life, no car, no job, no girl friend, losing my body and living with my parents at 29 years old. 

 

By now my mom and dad were going to a Christian church. Even though I backslid I had planted the seed in my family. The Monday after the 4th of July 1986 I told my mom that I wanted to go to church with her. From there, there was no turning back. I feared going back into the world and my old lifestyle. I do not count my past encounters with God as how long I’ve been a Christian, because I was not born again. I consider my walk with Christ from 1986 to now. 

 

When you give your life to God he will in return give you way better things that you could imagine. I prayed that the next woman that came to my life would be my wife forever. I also always dreamed of marrying a woman that was a virgin. I met my wife in church. My wife was the first and only person I dated since I truly gave my heart to Christ. We dated for almost 3 years we did what the Bible says and did not have a sexual relationship until we got married. My wife was a virgin. Our dating life was church ministries. We been married for 30 years. We have 2 sons and a grandson. 

 

After becoming a Christian my life changed. I started working as a corrections officer at a prison for 10 years 1990 to 2000. I earned numerous black belts. I opened a martial arts school in 1998. I been teaching for 21 years now. I started competing again and won 2017 South Florida Bodybuilding Championship 60+ Overall. In 2019 I was the runner-up in the North American Bodybuilding Championships 60+ Lightweight and the Florida State Bodybuilding Championships 60+. I have written a book “Anta’s Ageless Warrior Fitness” and have been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers and have appeared in over 100 TV shows. God has made my childhood dreams come true.

 

In my opinion I go to the greatest church CDA (Casa De Alabanza) Miami in the City of Doral, Florida. I have the best, most caring, loving pastor Bobby Cruz Jr. Bobby is also a close friend of mine. Today, my wife and I have ministries in our church. I am a leader in my church CDA Miami. I am the head of the Safety Team Ministry. My youngest son and his wife also serve in ministries in our church. I am blessed by God. If you are looking to have a great relationship with God I invite you to my church. 

 

 

Fear is from the Dark Side

The enemy comes to steal ,kill, and destroy (YOU and you dreams.) Make no mistake, fear is gonna try and stop you. FEAR is False Expectations Appearing Real. It is self doubt. It comes from the dark side.

Everyone has excuses for not starting, quitting or succeeding in the martial arts or fitness program. I’ve heard it all. It’s too late for me, I'm in my 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and it goes on and on! Jack Lalane died at 96 living life and doing feats that most humans of any age can not do.

Am I too short, tall, fat ,skinny, weak, injured, out of shape, uncoordinated, inflexible and the list goes on and on. I can’t fit it into my schedule, it’s too expensive, I need time with my family.

We all have heard that whisper, that accusation, YOU aren't good enough. I will ridicule myself. Get the chip of your shoulder.

Pardon my language “Bullshit” thats all it is. I’m almost 60 years old, in great shape, learning and teaching martial arts and fitness. I’m a student for life. I’m relentless and obsessed with everything I do.

As a Christian I believe that fear is from the dark side from Satan. Satan is a thief and a liar. So, you are not a Christian or don’t believe in a lying devil. Fear is still a lie from the dark side. It’s a destroying evil mindset. Don’t let it destroy your dreams.

If you believe you can, become obsessed, relentless and work hard at it you will achieve your goals get in great shape and achieve the coveted black belt. Age is just a number and everything else is a lie from the devil.

If you are one of our students you are now part of our family. You now have new tools, new support, new mentors to help you achieve your goals. You cannot, and you must not, shrink back to your former self.

If you are not a student of ours take action, man up, enroll in one of our programs, and trust the results. It will change your life.

If you do not live close to our martial arts/fitness center order my book “Anta’s Ageless Warrior Fitness” to learn how I’m doing it, other Ageless Warriors do it and get motivated to succeed and not fall for the lie.

Keep pushing, and working, and growing until you break the old mold of your life, and create a completely new different and better one! Take relentless action and you will see the results.

YOU got this! Remember, fear is from the dark side. I can't wait to hear about your success.

Live, Fit, Live Fearless and make it a great day!

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Christian Self Defense Instructor Giving Free Active Shooter Workshops for the LGBT Community

 

Stop the Violence Free Active Shooter Workshop for the LGBT Community. Julio Anta owner of Anta’s Fitness and Self Defense is feed up with the violence and hate against gays and decided to do something about it.

He is willing to work with any LGBT group, organization, churches, parks or anyone that wants to do a Krav Maga Israeli Military Self Defense or Active Shooter Defense Workshop for the LGBT community. He is willing to do this obsoletely free with no strings attached.

Anta was watching the news of the cowardly attack at Pulse Night Club by the Extreme Muslim Terrorist and his blood was boiling. While he was thinking how he could make a difference he noticed an invitation to join Stop the Violence page on Facebook came in. Stop the Violence goal is to recruit 1000 martial arts instructors to give Free Self Defense workshops to a million people of the LGBT community.

Anta wants to bless the LGBT community by helping them to stay safe through free self defense, active shooter and counter terrorism workshops. Anta a Christian does not believe in coincidence. He believes that the Stop the Violence invitation was sent by God.

Anta believe that as American’s we need to unite since we are all under attack by Radical Islam. He says “Today they attacked gays, tomorrow it could be Democrats, Republicans, kids, Christians, or straight. Our goal is to unite all Americans with the LGBT in an effort to stop the cowardly attacks and hate.” Anta said “the Bible in Mathew 22:37-40 tells us to love our neighbors as yourself.” In Mathew 22:37:40 “Jesus said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Julio Anta is a martial arts instructor and owner of Anta's Fitness and Self Defense in Miami (Doral) since 1998. He is a former Law Enforcement Officer and honorably discharged from U.S. Marine Corps. Anta is a certified full instructor in Krav Maga and certified in Krav Maga Israeli Counter Terrorism. He also holds black belts in other martial arts.

Watch video on how this project got started https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9dKgE3wz-4

For more information or to set up a free workshop you can call Anta at 305 599-3649 o or www.doralkravmaga.com

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God's Not Dead

“God’s Not Dead” is an amazing movie of faith.The movie was a surprises at the box office in it’s opening week. Especially today when Hollywood, the media, the music industry and even the president of the United States Obama ridicules and put down Christians. Who can forget when the president said “we are not a Christian nation” and ridiculed “those that cling on to their guns and Bibles. It is directed by Harold Cronk. It stars Kevin Sorbo of the Hercules TV series as the God hating atheist professor and Dean Cain of "The Adventures of Lois and Clark.” There is also a cameo appearance by Duck Dynasty star Willy Robertson and his wife. 

 

The plot is about a subject matter that has been happening in colleges campuses since I went through college in the seventies. College freshman Josh who enters a philosophy class taught by Professor Radisson who is an atheist. Radisson asks the class to sign a statement that states that "God is dead" so they can skip over that philosophical argument. Yet, it has to be unanimous.

 Josh who is a courages young Christian refuses to sign the statement. All the rest of his classmates wrote “God is Dead!” If Josh will not admit that "God Is Dead," he must prove God's existence. So, Radisson tells Josh that he can have around twenty minutes at the end of each class session in order to sway the class . Then there will be a vote by the class to see who is right. Radisson threatens Josh with with getting a bad grade since this will be 30% of his final grade. Josh refuses to turn his back and reject God.

 This movie was way overdue. I experienced incidents like this in college. I was brained washed starting in junior high school, high school and it got worse in college into liberal anti-American, and God hating believes.  By the time I started going to college I was agnostic. I believed that there had to be some kind of supreme being yet not the God my parents brought me up with. I was driving my patriotic parents who had left communist Cuba for freedom of religion and speech crazy with my anti-Christian and socialist believes. I would torment my father telling him that I supported Jimmy Carter and that he was going to be the best president ever. 

 

By the time that gas prices went up $1.00 for the first time in history, we had hostages in Iran and our economy had been destroyed by Carter did I finally saw the light and realized that the socialist preaching in college did not work. Then came Ronald Reagan to seal the deal. It took a few more years before I realized that “God was Not Dead.”

 There was a similar incident to “God’s Not Dead” in one of my college classes in the 70’s. The professor was constantly trying to disproved the existence of God. There was a Baptist girl in the class trying to give her opinion on why she believed in God and the professor destroyed her. Even though at that time I agreed with the professor I felt bad for the brave Christian girl. 

 In that class we had to write an essay on how we believed that the world started and I came up with a crazy idea that a planet was over crowded so they started sending people to earth. As time went by and generations passed we started thinking that those people in that other planet were gods. so that was how religion started. Believe it or not I got a high grade. 

 I was working at the gym at Miami Dade College when an older built tattooed, Puerto Rican man named Ernie Pagan showed up to workout. He would carried a Bible. Ernie had told us that before he excepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior that he was in gangs and had a warrant for his arrest in New York that is why he was living in Miami. One day Ernie asked me what I believed in so I told him that I did not believe in any god, yet I had this theory that we had come from another planet. When I told him the story I had written he told me that I was very bright to think of that. He then told me how God had changed his life. He invited me to church which I never went and gave me a King James Bible. I never read it yet I still have that Bible. I think that this was around 1977. It was a few years later in December of 1980 when I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps that I started believing in God and reading the Bible. If it wasn’t for God I don’t think I would have survive Marine Corps Bootcamp in Parris Island, South Carolina. A few years later is when I finally accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and my life changed.

 Today at church I was talking to one of the pastors Juan Diego Gutierrez who also saw the movie about how much this movie impressed me. J.D. told me that he still has an essay that he had to write for college on why he believe or did not believe in God. He was already a Christian and wrote about why he believed in God.

 I never again saw Ernie Pagan who planted the seed. Who knows he might not even remember me or remember how he planted the seed. Yet, I'll never forget him. When I get to heaven I will thank him for it. Isn’t it ironic that the first colleges in the U.S.A were Christian and in college where you go to expand your mind and prepare for the real world that it would only strengthen my agnostic believe? Yet in the Marine Corps where you learn to kill is where I started believing in God? The Marine Corps is one of the places that still puts God first, “God, Country, Marine Corps!”

 If you haven’t seen this movie yet go see it. God bless and keep the faith.