Spirituality

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH...

This site is a subjective chronicle of my growth and development in understanding jazz. From my inward being, I believe that jazz is a beautiful art form, and I feel compelled, if not "called" to express my understanding of jazz theory and its application so that others might share in this great and beautiful thing...

I don't do this to beat anyone over the head with my ideas; it's simply a matter of sharing with the world what is most important to me. What I want to do on this page is share the absolute most important "news" in my life--the top priority conviction that drives my everyday thought and action. What follows might be offensive to some, but bear in mind, this is merely information, text on your computer, not unlike any other idea you might encounter surfing on the web. Though I feel an obligation to share it, you harbor no responsibility to buy into it...

WARNING: The following is my own testimony, my own personal philosophy. If it angers you to read the "religious" beliefs of others, I beg you to hit your Browser "Back" button now, or click here to go back to the site. Thank you for your patience!

Agreed?

If you're curious, read on...

Up until 1984, I had been living what I thought to be a very unfulfilled life. Despite successes in college, and a relatively secure professional life, I felt something was missing. My heart yearned for deeper meaning, and it wasn't until a better understanding of the Bible (which I personally believe to be God's own Word), that I came upon the degree of real security I hold today.

The problem was understanding "sin." (That's a pretty unpopular word in today's culture, isn't it?) Not that I was seeking a life of crime or anything, I just didn't understand that my inbred imperfections, my innate choices were separating me from a greater Power, and a greater awareness of what is Truth, what is real "certainty" in this world. (Our society really wants us to believe everything is relative and there are no "absolutes." That there is a definite beginning and end to right and wrong is constantly blurred.)

But call it "sin," call it "imperfection" or whatever, we are separated from God, who demands perfection. No sliding scale, no grading "curve," only perfection. Of our own merit and doing, we'll never achieve that. But God has a plan...

He sent Jesus Christ to this earth around 2000 years ago to reach out to us, to make us aware of our need to be "complete." His answer, His way of us achieving that was not only through His great teachings, but His very own death on the cross. His was a literal punishment, a replacement for the consequences of our circumstances, and lack of ability to rise above our "sin" nature. He paid the "price" for our sin.

The words of the Bible called on me as He calls on you to hear this news: to accept the futility of achieving intimacy with God on our own, to accept His power to take the place for the consequences of our sin, and as a reaction to this conviction, live a life that attempts to reflect this assurance.

No, my life is not perfect, but through my faith in Jesus, and His gift of salvation on the cross, I know in my heart of hearts, a life fulfilled, rich with meaning and purpose. I yearn for the same for everyone who bothers to read this page (I owe it to you!); if you're still not convinced, my prayer is that this might be the seed that others you encounter in the future will nourish.

Thank you for taking the time to read this! If you'd like to correspond about it Email me at mandohack@aol.com. I would enjoy the dialogue. It's one of the very few things in life more important to me than jazz!

Understanding the "Roman Road"
Verses from the Book of Romans

Realize and confess that you are a sinner.

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..)
Romans 3:10-12 - As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Realize the awful consequence of sin (separation from God) and that eternal life comes only through Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Realize that Jesus Christ loves you and has paid the penalty for your sin.

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Realize that you must confess Jesus as Lord and receive His gift of salvation (eternal life) by faith.

Romans 10:9-10 & 13 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.