Today we witness a seasonal shift in David's life and in it we are given a clear picture of how obedience and freedom go hand in hand and we’re also given a practical definition of worship.

The tragedy in today’s scripture teaches us two sobering lessons. The first; There’s a difference between good intentions and actual obedience, and second; It’s dangerous to try and take charge of God.

David’s act of bringing the Ark to Jerusalem invites the church to assess our true focal point.

This morning, David's story is a powerful anticipation of the messiah's ultimate victory.

Today we are challenged to see our story as a story of God growing us. How can we participate in God's growing process in our lives?

Today we will witness a pivotal transition from David's rise to his reign. What will God reveal to us as we experience this transition from the perspective of the Israelites who fully accepted David's reign over them?

God allows knuckleheads a seat at the table. That shows us who God is. It shows us who we are and it shows us that our faith story isn’t just about us. It is a beacon of God’s grace to draw the lost into the family of God.

Watch how the story of Lazarus clears a path through the thick brush of tragedy and leads us to the healing presence of our Good Shepherd.

This morning, we stay in the story by sitting with David's hymn of praise, by engaging with a couple stories of people around us and by experiencing the dedication of children by their faithful parents to our Heavenly Father