Hey TC Family,

Next Sunday, July 23, we are hosting the Cross-Canada prayer tour. The vision for this tour is to rally churches across Canada to pray for a mighty move of God's Holy Spirit across this great nation. Two young men, Tom and Luke, are driving across the country and meeting in 75 churches to host prayer nights and record what God says and does. I hope you can join us on July 23 at 7 PM. Click the link below to watch the short video clip, which will give you an idea of how this vision was birthed. 

This Sunday, we are hosting a free BBQ after the service. This is a great Sunday to invite unchurched friends and family. We are going to be looking at the story of David and Bathsheba. Right now, in our world, there is a lot of criticism against the Church due to moral failures, leadership scandals and toxic communities. This story reveals a God who does not sweep scandals under the rug to protect those in power. God sees the victim and exposes the corruption of leaders who have hurt those under their care. God is so good. 

At this point, the forecast calls for a chance of rain; let's pray for a sunny Sunday until at least 1:30 PM! 

Read 2nd Samuel 11, 12 and Psalm 51. 

This is the story of David, Uriah, Bathsheba and the prophet Nathan. 

David has proven himself as a man after God's heart. He is different than Saul before him. David is patient, loves God, and has proven to be an excellent leader who helps his people to trust God. 

But, at some point, David got used to being King, to making life-and-death decisions about people's lives. David got a little too comfortable with being the most powerful man in the nation. David lusts after a woman who is not his wife. While her husband is off fighting in one of his battles, David seduces and impregnates her. David attempts to cover this up but fails to do so. He decides to have Uriah killed instead. Apparently, David did not see anything wrong with his behaviour. After all, he was King and could do as he pleased, right? 

So God sent Nathan, a prophet, to tell David a made-up story. It was a brilliant story. David took the bait and passed judgment on the man from the story. And then Nathan said, "You are the man!" God caused David to pass judgment on himself! 

I've only told you a part of the story to whet your appetite. I hope you take some time this weekend to read about this scandalous event in the life of David. As you read, ponder these questions: 

Do you think God uses the judgments we pass on others back on ourselves? Do you think David's confession and repentance were authentic (read Psalm 51)? What do you observe in David's response when he is confronted with his sin? What do you think about how God dealt with David? We have witnessed so many cover-ups when influential leaders fall. God is not interested in covering this scandal up; He exposes it. Does that reveal His heart to you about His love for those who have been victims?