Customer Reviews

Once Life Matters: A New Beginning

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My first opportunity to steal communion wafers came when I was alone in the sanctuary after serving mass. The priest left to take care of some business and I was sitting there, eye to eye with the unconsecrated hosts. They hadn't turned into Jesus yet, I rationalized; so who would care? I helped myself to a handful of wafers and ran home to my toy-chest altar. I finally had the missing ingredient to my church service. It never occurred to me that I was stealing or sinning." (Page 19 of Once Life Matters: A New Beginning)

As a small child Marty Angelo had dreams of becoming a Catholic Priest but as his life unfolds; his childhood aspirations become nothing but a distant memory as he follows the glittery road of the entertainment business that leads to success but ends in disaster.

Once Life Matters: A New Beginning, is not only a powerful title, it's a powerful book! Marty Angelo with the help of, Michael Clark has written an awesome testimony of how Jesus Christ can turn a life around in a very powerful way. Marty had everything this world had to offer; fame, money, women and drugs, but like you hear so often, all of those things left him feeling empty and paved his way into a prison cell.

Who else do you know that has been involved with such legends as, Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Grass Roots, John Lennon, George Harrison and the like? If that were me, I would probably still be talking and bragging about such experiences. Not Marty Angelo! His story offers some insight into the lives of those famous people (which I found very fascinating) but at the end of the day, at the end of Marty's storm, it is Jesus Christ that he exalts.

I spent time in prison and I also wrote a book called, "You Are Never Alone" about how Jesus turned my life around but Marty's story is different. Jesus saved him before he went to prison and it was literally an electrifying experience! Wow!

Unlike other prison testimonials, Marty went into prison happy and with his God given purpose. Marty spent his time in prison pressing into and building his relationship with Jesus through the study of His word. He walked out of prison and hasn't stopped climbing higher and higher, but this time his ladder of success is propped up by the Kingdom of Heaven. Just visit his website [...] and you will see what I mean. Marty, his story and his life are not only an inspiration to those who are lost, but is also an inspiration for those of us who are saved. He is a shining example of how we should live our lives; selfless, steadfast and sure of our commitment to Jesus Christ in doing whatever we can for the least of these.

If you have a loved one in prison, addicted to drugs or just needs a "New Beginning" in life, this book is a must read.

Book Review by Bill Hartmann
[...]
The Book: Once Life Matters- A New Beginning
Author: Marty Angelo with Michael Clark
Impact Publishing - copyright 2005 (1st printing)
ISBN: 0-9618954-4-6 (pbk.)
Christian Men's Book
$[...] U.S. Amazon.com

Introduction
The author Marty Angelo, a man of many hats, is a well seasoned man who has lived through a very tumultuous life. He has gone from being a band promoter, disco television producer, bartender and convicted drug dealer to finally becoming an ex con and a born again Christian running a (prison / drug addiction recovery) ministry today. Through his time spent in prison, Marty Angelo has been given a unique privilege and opportunity from God to help countless people who have lost hope through drugs and through living rebellious lives. Marty Angelo has a website - [...] which he uses to share all kinds of resources to help drug users, ex convicts and the incarcerated find peace and hope through God. Marty Angelo is available for interviews, radio shows, T.V. promotion and speaking engagements' to people who want to hear his story and receive from his ministry.


Book description/ Summary
"Once Life Matters" is 209 pages long. It is a small sized paperback auto biography of Marty Angelo. The cover art depicts a man standing either in a sunset or as the sun is rising to depict a new beginning. The concept is good because it does lend itself to Mr. Angelo's life with his own new beginning. The back of the book as well as the inside forward are loaded with many great testimonies from friends and acquaintances' through Marty's life. I enjoyed reading them as they were very genuine and helpful in getting a feel for the general demeanor of the text. The small physical size of the book also makes it appealing because it can easily be read in only a few hours. I rate the layout of this book as good.
"Once Life Matters" is about the life journey of Marty Angelo. He puts down on paper the struggles and bad decisions that rebellion can cause in one's life. Through this drama we get a peak of what it's like to be on the fast track and almost "making it" from the worlds stand point. Mr. Angelo astutely points out to the reader that God had his hand on his life while he continually spiraled down into the depths of this party lifestyle. Throughout the text of the book the author places scripture in appropriate intervals and places that relate God's point of view on the subject that we are reading about. Marty's road to riches and fame is painted for us in a real life gritty fashion and Mr. Angelo does a good job of relaying much of the feel of what it was like to live that life style. What he doesn't write is easily picked up between the lines and many if not most will relate to portions of this story.
Review
I chose this book because it said "new beginning" on the cover. I knew what that meant instantly. I knew that someone had an experience with God that forever changed their life. God is in the business of giving people new beginnings and they are always the most interesting to read about. God's ways are filled with lots of dramatic changes and truth. This story totally fits with Gods style and formula and I was not disappointed. This book was fast paced and it didn't bog down at all except I did just briefly feel a bit overwhelmed with the amount of "bad" that happened to Mr. Angelo. The book easily makes me ponder over all the misguided people wasting their time and talent at bars and nightclubs pursuing a party lifestyle and the author does a great job of describing the realities of somebody in this world. Throughout the book Mr. Angelo's decisions to remain in this alcohol/ drug culture takes him across the paths of some pretty sinister people and it's only through God's mercy that he gets out of one bad scrape after another. His story is a good testament of how wrong decisions can take us down one destructive road after another and that if God is not directing our course than Satan is by default, and you are ultimately doomed. The author describes for us in detail how he made many wrong decisions because he was trying to impress the wrong crowd and because he was trying to fill a hole in his heart. I was drawn to this story because bits of it registered with my own life and I am sure many others would feel the same way. I want to repeat - This book is written for every man or women who struggle like Marty did. "Once Life Matters" is a book describing Marty Angelo's problem with an age old issue called "rebellion". He is running away from something and it's a heart wrenching struggle as he finds himself. Marty did a good job of relaying the truth to us, but it is no small miracle that Marty Angelo is here today, it is only through God's mercy. Finally, I want to say that from everything I have ever read, God likes to use messengers who are usually firebrands of energy because he wants the word carried out under all kinds of circumstances and adverse conditions. God brought Mr. Angelo through the fire and he is now able to use this energetic and humble man to deliver a powerful message with this book as a door opener to many a troubled heart.

Recommendation
I find this book to be a gem. It is fast paced and well written for the average reader to comprehend. All ages can benefit with this and there isn't any part that someone could not find in their own lives today. I recommend this great auto biography to schools, ministries, churches and counselors all across this land. Let Marty Angelo's life touch yours and give God the glory.

Earlier this month I received a message on Facebook from a gentleman that I didn't know. He wanted to know if I would be interested in reviewing his book. I didn't find this unusual since I'm a Fan of a page that connects reviewers with products. I figured he found me there. I clicked his name to view his profile and discovered we had a friend in common. I then started checking out his websites, to learn more about his book.

Marty Angelo has spent the majority of his life in the music industry. He's also spent the majority of his life strung-out on one drug or another, or drunk. His book, Once Life Matters: A New Beginning, is about his life before and after his salvation--mostly before.

I wasn't sure I wanted to review the book. I'm not active in the prison ministry, or any ministry that serves those dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. And I don't have ties to the music industry--anymore. You see, once upon a time, I was very active in a rock 'n roll lifestyle. I know what it's like to be high and drunk (sometimes both at the same time). I recognized the names of some of the bands and recording artists that Marty mentions in his book. That intrigued me enough to agree to the review.

Once Life Matters is a quick read. I took almost 4 days to read it, but that's only because of two things: family obligations do not allow me to sit and read for hours on end, and strong memories and emotions resurfaced during the reading. When Marty wrote of his despair, I felt it. I've been there. I know the darkness that surrounds drugs and alcohol and the rock 'n roll lifestyle.

This isn't the kind of book you give to someone out of the blue, in hopes that they'll read it and get saved. This is the kind of book you give to someone once you've established a relationship with them, and discovered that they're looking for something but don't know what. Marty walks you through his life, showing his attitude along the way, and sharing his thought process. Bible verses are sprinkled throughout the book, giving the reader a foreshadowing of where Marty is leading.

The book left me with a feeling of expectancy. Where would God use Marty next? More importantly, where would God use me next? I was encouraged to stay focused on Jesus Christ, and to listen for the Lord's leading.

If you know someone who seems to be searching, who seems to have a hole in his or her life and is constantly trying to fill it, you'll want to get this book for them. It will show them what they're searching for, and Who can fill that hole.

Overview

Marty Angelo chronicles the story of his life, from a trouble-filled youth to a music industry icon to rock bottom to saved to prison to ministry to others. This book is his testimony of a life changed by Christ.

My Review

Occasionally I wonder why so many celebs who seem to have it all seem so unhappy and even display suicidal tendencies. Marty's story gives some insight into why such a thing happens. I appreciated his no-holds-barred disclosures in his desire to display Christ's awesome transformational power.

He intersperses his story with applicable Bible verses. It's evident that the purpose of his book is to point others to Christ, as he ends the book guiding readers through a simple prayer of accepting Christ as their Savior.

The first-person writing style is simply a basic and straightforward account of life. If you like Damascus-road style testimonies, you'll appreciate this one.

And a quote from the book that summarizes the "B side" of Marty's life: "God's not finished with us yet." You can learn how God has transformed Marty's experiences into something that can bless others who are dealing with drug issues or are in prison.
There is more about Marty's book and his ministries - Outreach Ministry to Prisons, Substance Abuse Recovery Programs and Troubled Celebrities - at his website: http://www.martyangelo.com/

Very inspirational! Gives hope for anyone struggling in destructive behavior.

I Was I Am How To Move Beyond Your Past To Create An Extraordinary Life

This book provided hope while I was incarcerated. It made me look at my life from another perspective!

This is a great book about Marty Angelo's life before and after finding the Lord.
I see where this book would be a great tool to give to people that are struggling with drugs,drinking,and other problems that can prevent a person from leading a happy and productive life.
Marty Angelo has put his life story in words that all can understand and you can see what a difference life can be after a person accepts God in their life.
I highly recommend this book to all that have friends or loved ones that are looking for a book that will help guide them in the right direction that are going through the same struggles Marty went through.

Marty Angelo has written a memoir about his past mistakes, and journey in life as a Rock `N Roll star including band-meeting career and meeting with the great Jimi Hendricks. He also reveals his drug and alcohol use, sent to prison for a 60-year sentence reduced to 6 years in which he only served two and a half years of the term, and his early years before he discovers who he is in Christ.

He also resided in Buffalo, NY, where my father was born and raised, and once I lived there too. We read about his high school years, losing his virginity to a woman who lied about being a virgin, attending college at University of Buffalo, a school I thought of attending before. He also attended Catholic School and other things to get him on track but wished he would have found Jesus Christ in his earlier years of his life. However, everything happens on God's timing and long as he turned and surrendered his life to Christ, all is well. He even sends free books to prison ministries, jails, rehabilitation centers, and troubled homes.

Moreover, he confesses his same cycles, behaviors, and experiences until he sought after Christ. His life was empty regardless of his musical career. Jesus is still waiting for you to turn over a new leaf, and this is what Marty did and wants to help others see the goodness of Christ.

Dream 4 More Reviewer,
Adrienna Turner
3.5 stars (4): Sweet Dreams!

In this straight-forward memoir, Marty overcomes horrendous obstacles along with self-destruction. You will journey along with him from being a trouble-filled youngster to living a life spiraling out of control of that of a music industry icon to hitting rock bottom to being saved in prison and ultimately being a positive ministry to many. Talk about a roller coaster ride! He is a true testimony that lives can be changed. Without God we are lost souls, constantly searching for purpose and meaning in our lives.

The scripture and photo's in this book add a deeper dimension to the big picture, and like with most of us, you take a look back and wish that we would have known what we know now. Marty's testimony is definitely an eye-opener and will go on to help many witness God's saving grace.

You can check out the complete review here.. [...]

"Once Life Matters" is an incredible story of overcoming obstacles. Marty Angelo is a true inspiration and positive role-model." -- Tom Lagana, co-author "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul," "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul," "Serving Productive Time," and "Serving Time, Serving Others."

Serving Productive Time: Stories, Poems, and Tips to Inspire Positive Change from Inmates, Prison Staff, and Volunteers

Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Hope, Healing and Forgiveness (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

Serving Time, Serving Others: Acts of Kindness by Inmates, Prison Staff, Victims, and Volunteers