I am back “in town” now. We have completed the mission of locating necessities, paying bills, dressing up and doing lots of smiling as our daughter became the wife of a fine young man.

It has been a long and fine journey, and I am so glad it is over, once and for all!

As we try to settle back into our routine at home, we are also looking forward to another journey beginning soon — two, actually. Rebecca will be heading back to her teaching position tomorrow, and I am beginning final preparations for the new Bible study.

Life is filled with opportunities to grow. Our daughter and husband will be growing in their new relationship, students at school will continue to mature and grow in knowledge, and a small group of Bible students will help me grow a little bit more as we mature in life and faith together.

Growing — that is what it has all been about my whole life. I have been in adult education within the faith family ever since I got out of college.

Rebecca and I settled in the southern part of Houston, sought out a church and went directly into a Sunday School class on the first Sunday there.

This eventually led to becoming a teacher (first of adults, then youth), and as we moved and changed churches, we became embedded in the educational system of the church.

Life could not be complete and I would not have matured in faith without the challenge of study. What we know and how we understand life and faith today is only a portion of what God wants us to know.

And that is why I have a hard time understanding why it is that some people go through life without being a part of an ongoing Bible study.

I always have and always will consider being in Bible study essential to my spiritual walk.

Being personally involved in teaching was a big part of Jesus’ life. So many people had been led by the religious institutions of the time into an understanding of God that needed a bit of fine tuning.

Everyone needed to know God in a different way; they needed to grow in their understanding; they were invited to grow in their love.

Everywhere He went, Jesus drew crowds as He taught about God, His love, and the grace offered to all who will believe.

I do not have a listing of the many study opportunities available in The Statesman’s coverage area. I am sure many exist.

It is only through continued study that we mature in our understanding of what it is that Jesus was saying to those who were seeking the eternal life He offered.

Find one and grow in faith and understanding, as you grow in love for your neighbor with whom you study and the God of whom you study.

For those who want to grow with us, I will begin a survey study of faith as found in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures through the disciples Bible study.

Call 849-2379 if you are interested. Time remains to begin a new journey of growing in faith and love.