Chris R. Quinlan

Here is a link to the first ten resolutions The part in blue is my best shot at a plain English paraphrase of these resolutions. Enjoy! ___________________________________ 11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don't hinder. If I ever have a thought on a perplexing theological issue, I vow to always do whatever I can, as far as circumstances permit, to attempt to solve that issue. 12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by. I vow, that if I find myself taking prideful pleasure in the contemplating or solving of theological mysteries, that I will immediatly stop and think about something else.

“One plague of our age is the widespread dislike to what men are pleased to call dogmatic theology. In the place of it, the idol of the day is a kind of jellyfish Christianity – a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or sinew, – without any distinct teaching about the atonement or the work of the Spirit, or justification, or the way of peace with God – a vague, foggy, misty Christianity, of which the only watchwords seem to be, ‘You must be..liberal and kind. You must condemn no man’s doctrinal views. You must consider everybody is right and nobody is wrong’.” ~ J.C. Ryle (late 1800's)

“Where must a man go for pardon? Where is forgiveness to be found? There is a way both sure and plain and that way is simply to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior. It is to cast your soul, with all its sins, unreservedly on Christ, – to cease completely from any dependence on your own works or doings, either in whole or in part – and to rest on no other work but Christ’s work, no other merit but Christ’s merit, as your ground of hope. Take this course and you are a pardoned soul.” ~ J.C. Ryle

You can say that you're a Christian all day long. You can say that, no one can look in your heart of hearts and judge you. And you can say that, in your heart of hearts, that you really know that you believe. But all of it is just wash. Do you know what your heart is? It's the very center of your being... the core of your person. Now you're going to tell me that Jesus Christ has the entire center and core of your being, but it doesn't affect the way you walk, talk, or think? no... To receive Him, is to take Him as Savior and Lord. To stand upon Him. This is a mark that the Holy Spirit has truly regenerated your heart... and that you really do belong to Him. Excerpted from this video:

(J. R. Miller, "The Lesson of Love" 1903) 2 Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. We often think we could do better--if we were directing the affairs of our own lives. We think, “if things were in my hands I could get more happiness and greater good out of life” -- We would at once eliminate everything that is painful and unpleasant in our lives. We would have only p...

“I used to look inwardly, so much, to try and find joy, hope, and confidence, but I’ve learned that that’s a hopeless cause. Many Christians are more spiritual than I am, but I’m happier than they are. Why? Because they are constantly looking at their own performance and I’ve given up on that. I look now, only unto the perfect work of Jesus Christ on my behalf. “   - Paul Washer Yesterday I wrote about my recent struggle with daily scripture reading and how I realized it was a problem with my relationship with God and not a technique or motive thing. I have so far had success reading the bible on a daily basis, granted it's only been a day. Nevertheless, I was listening to one of my favorite "mp3 mentors," Paul Washer, and I heard him speak the quote above. I have heard him use this illustration before (he often repeats the same material every time he speaks publicly), and I was thrilled to hear it again after dealing with what I wrote about yesterday. This story tha...

“Read the Bible daily. Make it part of every day’s business to read and meditate on some portion of God’s Word. Gather your manna fresh every morning. Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading. Give your Bible the best, and not the worst, part of your time. But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and the Bible every day.” ~ J.C. Ryle I get these quotes by Ryle everyday and they are usually very encouraging to me. The ones I particularly like I post up on this blog. Ryle is very straight-forward with his words, choosing not simply to shower the reader with fluffy platitudes, but often delivering biblical truth in such a way that even the most spiritually minded people would find themselves challenged to pursue God and Christ in a way more in keeping with what He deserves.  Today's quote really made me stop and think. On one hand, I fell I have come to a place in my life where I do not base suc...