My name is Mike Ratliff. I am a δουλος (slave) of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been a Bible teacher since the late 1980's. I am currently learning Koine Greek, which I began in 1992 and will continue to do so until the Lord takes me home. I am Reformed in my theology because I recognize that God is Sovereign over all things. I write these posts as God directs. I am also part of the discernment team at Christian Research Network. by Mike Ratliff
3 g Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! h According to his great mercy, i he has caused us to be born again to a living hope j through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to k an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and l unfading, m kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded n through faith for a salvation o ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by p various trials, 7 so that q the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes r though it is tested by s fire-may be found to result in t praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3-7 ESV)
There was a large demand today where I work for some sort of way for people to watch the US Presidential Inauguration. Of course, I observe people during things like this so I noted how some of the people in my office were actually worshipping Barack Obama. They were viewing him as if he was some sort of savior. Emotions ran high. Several of those I work with stayed home today in order to watch the coverage on TV. I was amazed. I have not seen anything close to this since I was in the 3rd grade when John F. Kennedy was inaugurated or when Mikhail Gorbechev visited the United States back in the 1980’s. However, there were many of us who simply tried to ignore the whole thing. I observe my own reactions to these things as well… What was bothering me? Read the rest of this entry »
