Wolfe Stew

(Updated 12/12/2024.) Your marriage is meant to be beautiful.   It’s meant to be a gift.   Do you know that?   God’s design of marriage is symbolic of the love Jesus has toward His church ( Ephesians 5:22-32 ).   That never-ending, self-sacrificing, all-consuming love.   Does your marriage feel that way?   Are you enjoying your marriage?   Do you feel blessed by it?   To be honest, I don’t always feel blessed in my marriage.   There are times my marriage is not enjoyable, and perhaps the furthest model from Jesus’ love for His church that you can imagine. Sometimes it even leaves me wondering: The truth is: I know there is hope for marriage. I know because it is of God's design.  But I also know that marriage is hard. After all, marriage is the process of two sinful people working together to become one. Marriage is a fight. A constant fight that we must choose to keep fighting for. My favorite song about marriage is...

Lent is coming up; it’s right around the corner (February 26th).    Have you decided what you’re giving up for Lent?   Should you even give something up for Lent?   Normally, I don’t.   The first time I even honored Lent was a few years ago as a challenge issued by my pastor.   His explanation of Lent was that we sacrifice something to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for us.   It wasn’t easy for me to choose what to give up that Lent, but this Lent the choice presented itself to me.   Quite honestly, I had no intention of participating until it was thrust into my lap.   And, as a fellow stone in the wall , I intend to do the same to you.   Today, I want to challenge you to give up something for Lent that will bring good to others.   God wants us to be good to others.   Do to others as you would have them do to you.   Luke 6:31 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.   Matthew 5:45 Be devoted ...

(Updated 5/3/2023) My perspective on decision-making changed recently and I decided to rewrite this post. Decision-making is a fact of life that greatly affects the course of it. We need to be confident with the decision we choose. But how? The Biblical Approach As believers, we're given instruction on this. Here's how: In all thy ways acknowledge Him; And He will direct thy paths.  ( Proverbs 3:6 ) Acknowledge Him in all your ways. First, seek to know Him in everything you do, think, and feel. If you believe that you're never really alone , that God is always with you, then the next step is acknowledging He's with you by eagerly getting to know Him. We can know Him more as we: Engage  in each moment wholeheartedly and honestly while walking  hand-in-hand with the Master.  Observe the world around you to find Him in it.  Question things that just don't make sense.  Struggle to find the answer through His word, authorities on His word, and conver...

I don't know about you, but for me, long after watching  Pretty Woman,  these words resonate. Soon, I find myself asking, "What is my dream? Will it be one of the ones that come true? Or does that only happen in Hollywood?" Friends, these are good questions (well, except for maybe the last) and it is important to have a dream.  To reach for something. To keep making goals. And to work for them. It's what drives us. What makes our feet keep hitting the pavement, keeps our coffee pot brewing, and makes Monday mornings manageable. So, I ask: "What is your dream?" Step One:  Brainstorm Go on. List them. Say them aloud. Proclaim them to the world. Take your time. I'll be right here when you're ready. Step Two: Categorize Welcome back! It feels good knowing you have a dream. It gives us purpose and hope. And, with the wise words that end  Pretty Woman  I agree, I think there are two types of dreams, but instead of "some that come tru...

(Updated 12/1/2022) Welcome back, friends!   I am thankful that you are here today. In a previous blog post, “ Christmas Time is Here ,” I mentioned that we, as Christians, assume the herald role.   We are to proclaim and pave the way for others to walk the path to meet our King.   As I considered this role, another question emerged.   One that initially seems simple, yet quickly deepens in complexity:   This Christmas season, are you acting as a Herod or a herald? You’re already answering: “Of course I’m a herald.”   Done.   Click away.   What blog post am I reading next? But WAIT! There's more! What if the answer is not that simple?   What if you are showing Herod traits without even realizing it?   Maybe the process of acting out your role as herald is morphing you into a Herod.   The Format To compare Herod and herald, we’ll institute a side-by-side approach.   Character trait by character trait. ...

(Updated 12/15/2022.) Christmas time is here!   Do you feel it?   Does it surround you?   And as it surrounds you, do you find yourself uplifted or overwhelmed?   At Christmastime, we all feel merry and bright.   When this season hits, a spring naturally overtakes every footstep.   Magic weaves itself into the air.   It’s effortless. An uncontrollably joyous feeling. The most anticipated moment in every year .   Except...when it’s not. Christmas is filled with expectations, expectations packed in heavy boxes.   Boxes which are stacked in our garages and reopened every year.   Do so many boxes exist for any other time of year?   No?   Why not?   Because no other time of the year is as heavy leaden with expectations as Christmas.   You pull the boxes in and unpack them.   You go through the rituals.   But instead of jingle bells, it is factory bells that toll.  'Tis a nother season of going th...