Wolfe Stew

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent: a period of reflection and self-denial in preparation for Easter. While this day is not meant to be JOYful, we know of the JOY that's coming and it soothes our soul. Living in JOY is a way of life, we can be JOYful in periods of mourning and periods of solemn reflection because we know the source of our JOY. Furthermore, periods of self-reflection and self-denial are restorative and redemptive practices that make room for more JOY.  Dirt Texture picture by Daniel Smith at Public Domain Pictures Ash Wednesday Offerings Did You Know...   Wolfe Stew Connects Bible Verses Activity Suggestions  (for families, groups, or individuals) Did You Know: Ash Wednesday takes place 40 days before Easter not counting Sundays? It marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting in preparation of Easter that parallels the 40 days Jesus fasted ( Matthew 4:1-11 ) before undergoing Satan's temptation in preparation of his ministry. Ash crosses on

Are you ready to March into a restart? Three months into 2022 and we bet you're ready for something new. There's no time like spring to renew your goals and RESTART your habits. Here's what we're offering on the March 2022 Wolfe Stew menu: March 2022 GROWTH for Today Calendars Biblical Secular Blank 2022 Calendar   Bible verses  Inspirational Quotes If you're still craving ideas for EVERY day, find previous year listings below: March 2021   March 2020 Also, consider sampling our  JOY for Today  posts, where we aim to celebrate selected days throughout the year with you. March 2022 GROWTH for Today Calendars These "GROWTH for Today" calendars are new in 2022! Choose from a  faith-based  or  secular  perspective. Set aside time each day to do the activity and GROW to RESTART with us.   (Scroll down for faith-based version.) Whether you choose the  Biblical  or  secular  calendar, the theme and goal of March 2022 are the same: Theme:  RESTART  Goal : Seize

President's Day began as a day to honor George Washington but now is commonly extended to all presidents. While celebrating presidents may not sound JOYful to you, consider where we'd be without someone to govern our country, to fight for our freedoms. On a personal level, spend time today thinking about who you lead, the JOY you find in it, and how you can grow to be better at it. President's Day picture by Circe Denyer at Public Domain Pictures . Presidential Listings Did You Know...   Wolfe Stew Connects Bible Verses and President Quotes   Activity Suggestions  (for families, classrooms, or individuals) Did You Know: Joe Biden is our 46th President?   Head to WhiteHouse.gov to see a picture and read a biography of each of our 46 presidents. Presidents' Day started after George Washington's death? Of course, then (1880), it was an annual day of remembrance of George Washington on his birthday (February 22nd). But eventually it expanded to include all presidents

While Valentine's Day is met with mixed emotions, I see it as a celebration of LOVE. Love of God, love of others, and love of self.  There is never enough love to go around. So, let's find JOY for today in giving and receiving love. Hearts image from Pixabay . Valentine's Day Offerings Did You Know...   Wolfe Stew Connects Bible Verses and Love Quotes   Activity Suggestions  (for families, classrooms, or individuals) Did You Know: There are three Saint Valentine legends? First, there's the Valentine who married soldiers despite Emperor Claudius II's decree to keep them single. Second, Valentine of Terni lived his life supporting marriage and ended it with a note to his beloved signed "From your Valentine." Finally, a third Valentine helped Christians escape imprisonment.  There are three reasons it's on February 14th : St. Valentine's burial date, the Pagan fertility festival Lupercalia, and the beginning of birds' mating season (according to

Any way you slice it, pizza delivers JOY. The crust smiles at you, the cheese melts your heart, and the toppings are uniquely yours. Embrace this culinary delight with us as we declare: Fresh Pizza  by Cel Lisbosa at Good Free Photos Pizza Menu Did You Know...   Wolfe Stew Connects Bible Verses and Pizza Quotes   Activity Suggestions  (for families, or classrooms) Did You Know: Pizza, in some form, has existed since the BC's? Flatbread served as edible plates upon which diners would spread desired toppings and eat it altogether were mentioned in Virgil's Aeneid. Aeneid was written around 19 BC . The modern pizza was developed to meet the need of the Lazzaroni (a group of Italians named after Lazarus)?  Naples struggled to keep a booming population fed, especially among the most ragged group of all - the Lazzaroni. The pizza, sold by street vendors, was convenient with portions adaptable to any budget: the size of the slice matched the size of your payment.  Tomatoes did not or