Pollster George Gallup, Jr., reports that about 80% of people surveyed for his study of “The Next American Spirituality” acknowledge a desire to “experience spiritual growth.” My guess is that most people who visit a Pastor's blog share that desire. For some of us, that desire is minimal and our spiritual journey is at a very early stage. Others of us have been on our spiritual journey for years, and the desire for spiritual growth is one of our main priorities. King David was on a spiritual journey. God Himself calls David “a man after My heart.” (I Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22) This should encourage us on our journey, because the Scripture doesn't present David as some super-hero but as a real flesh and blood human being, with strengths and weaknesses. He is famous for his victories (Goliath), and infamous for his failures (Bathsheba). He was a poet (he wrote most of the Psalms), and he was a soldier. But, through it all, he was on a spiritual journey. Sixty-six chapters of the Old Testament talk about his life, and there are fifty-nine references to his life in the New Testament. David takes on added significance when we remember that Jesus came from David’s lineage, and is often called “The Son of David.” Using David as our guide, Sunday, April 7, we begin a series of studies entitled, “LIVING A LIFE THAT COUNTS: LESSONS FOR THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY”. We will be looking at such topics as: How God prepares us for our destiny How to overcome the obstacles in our lives How to deal with the different types of people we meet on the journey What to do when you hit bottom What to do when you “really mess up” April 7's message will be from I Samuel 16. I encourage you to read I Samuel 15 and 16 this week in preparation for our time together next Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Open Door Community Church 607 Shartom Dr. Augusta, Ga. 706-860-3007 www.opendoorcommunity.net