sethbartal.com

  • Bible Reading Plan
  • Free Fall Book
  • Recommended Reads
You are here: Home / Archives for Old Testament

Karma (Job 29-31)

August 10, 2007 By Seth Leave a Comment

As I read through this section in Job I couldn't help but think of the Hindu and Buddhist belief in karma.  Ultimately, karma is the cause and effect belief that what goes around comes around.  If you cut someone off in traffic, then you will get cut off in traffic.  If you stiff a waiter at a restaurant, then you will get stiffed.  I'm so ... [Continue Reading]

August 10, 2007 10:00 pm Seth Leave a Comment

Where is God? (Job 21-23)

August 9, 2007 By Seth 2 Comments

There are times in life when God seems absent and we want to ask Him, "Where were you with that one, God?"  Five years ago this month my cousin was killed in a car accident on his way to an amusement park with his girlfriend; they were going there to celebrate his birthday.  In his mid-twenties, his life was taken from him, and it left the rest of the ... [Continue Reading]

August 9, 2007 10:00 pm Seth 2 Comments

Loneliness (Job 17-20)

August 8, 2007 By Seth 3 Comments

When I was a freshman in college I experienced a loneliness that I had never experienced before in my life.  About two months into my first semester I found myself surrounded by lots of people but feeling incredibly alone.  Don't misunderstand me: I knew A LOT of people.  Being the extrovert that I am, I knew a least a couple hundred people on campus ... [Continue Reading]

August 8, 2007 10:00 pm Seth 3 Comments

Until you walk in my shoes… (Job 14-16)

August 7, 2007 By Seth 1 Comment

A weakness in my own character is that I quickly judge situations before realizing what it is like to walk in someone else's shoes, and I think the same flawed character is present in Job's friends.  It never ceases to amaze me at how strictly I can withhold grace from others when all the while I demand it for myself.  I can't help but think that ... [Continue Reading]

August 7, 2007 10:00 pm Seth 1 Comment

The greatest hope (Job 9-13)

August 5, 2007 By Seth 1 Comment

There is sure a good glimpse into God's character in these words from Job.  We are reminded that He holds strength, wisdom, power, and authority beyond any other.  We are also reminded that He is the source of our hope.  Despite all of Job's experiences, it's really incredible to me that he can say, "Though [God] slay me, I will hope in ... [Continue Reading]

August 5, 2007 10:00 pm Seth 1 Comment

The great misunderstanding (Job 6-9)

August 5, 2007 By Seth 3 Comments

I can't help but wonder sometimes if God listens to our ramblings from up above and finds amusement in our nonsense.  As readers of Job, we have the benefit of knowing why Job has faced such difficult life circumstances.  Unfortunately for him, he thought that the adversity was a result of his own actions.  The reality, however, is that his adversity ... [Continue Reading]

August 5, 2007 10:00 pm Seth 3 Comments

A cosmic game of chess (Job 1-5)

August 3, 2007 By Seth 1 Comment

If nothing else, this introduction to Job reminds us that there is a spiritual battle raging in our world.  CS Lewis said that Satan would prefer one of two things: either we give him credit for all of the evil in the world or we don't give him any credit at all.  It's interesting that Job takes the latter approach.  However, even in the midst of ... [Continue Reading]

August 3, 2007 10:00 pm Seth 1 Comment

Sin enters the world, and God has a plan (Genesis 4-6)

August 2, 2007 By Seth 1 Comment

I've done some pretty rotten things in my life, but I don't think I've ever been the first person to do one of those rotten things.  I wonder what it was like for Cain when he realized the magnitude of his sin.  It's hard to believe that humanity took such a dive in such a small amount of time: in a matter of years, the first human beings moved ... [Continue Reading]

August 2, 2007 10:00 pm Seth 1 Comment

The Great Flood and the Glory of God (Genesis 7-11)

August 2, 2007 By Seth Leave a Comment

I can't even begin to imagine what Noah must have felt like when the Lord "shut him in" (Gen. 7:16) that incredible ark.  I would have been wondering what in the world was happening to me and how I had managed to get myself into that mess.  Thankfully I wasn't Noah because I'm not sure if I would have had the guts to follow through with ... [Continue Reading]

August 2, 2007 10:00 pm Seth Leave a Comment

The origins of creativity, and the taste of forbidden fruit (Genesis 1-3)

August 1, 2007 By Seth Leave a Comment

I've just finished my first assigned reading for this journey through the Bible.  I can't help but think of the incredible creativity God exerted when He created the universe.  It's a level of creativity that none of us is able to comprehend.  I suppose it's similar to the way I make brownies and the way my mom makes brownies: her brownies ... [Continue Reading]

August 1, 2007 10:00 pm Seth Leave a Comment

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 63
  • 64
  • 65

Seth is a pastor, author, and speaker who lives in Batesville, Indiana. He is married to Kari, and they have a daughter, Madelyn.

Read More…

Connect with Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

Latest Tweets

  • Just now
  • Follow Me on Twitter

Quick Find

adversity attributes of god bible blessing character choices courage direction encouragement eternity evangelism forgiveness glory gospel grace gratitude healing heart honesty hope humility jesus journey joy leadership legacy love mistakes narcissism obedience parenting patience peace perseverance power prayer responsibility sin surrender temptation trust truth understanding wisdom worship

Archives

Categories

Links

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

© 2007–2025 Seth Bartal · Log in