Wolfe Stew

Does the story of the Good Samaritan make you uneasy, too? I hear it and I want to believe I would be the one to help, but I don't know that I would. Yet what JOY resulted from the Samaritan's choice to help, at notable risk to himself, when he was under no obligation or expectation to. Let's challenge ourselves to give more than expected from the abundance of joy that overflows in our souls. JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  One we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To being an everyday  Good Samaritan. Bible Verses and Quotes  About Good Samaritans. Activity Suggestions  To activate everyday Good Samaritans. Last Year's Posts: St. Patrick's Day (March 17th Annually) and Spring Equinox  (3.20.2023) Did You Know: The Good Samaritan originated in the Bible? Jesus told the parable of the Samaritan in response to a teacher of the law asking for clarification on who he was to love. The teacher was certain that Jesus' response would prove his righteousness.

Women, you are seen. You are valued. You are loved. Enter this worldwide celebration of women with JOY knowing your incredible worth and uplifting every woman that surrounds you. JOY for Today Offerings: Did You Know...  Two we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To the women of right now . Bible Verses and Quotes  About women. Activity Suggestions  For finding JOY in being a woman. Last Year's Post : Get Over it Day (March 9th Annually) Did You Know: The "ideal" body shape for women does not exist?  Rather, it has changed throughout history. In the 40's, popularly advertised products promised to help women gain weight, contrary to the modern fit body standard. ( Fact Retriever ,  CNN .  and GMA ) Women have more densely packed brain cells?  Men's brains are 9% larger, but both genders have the same number of brain cells. So, to fit all the cells into a smaller space, a woman's brain cells are packed in tighter. But, while men's overall brain size is larger,

Move, keep [Marchin']. Soldier keep movin' on!  That song, " Move, (Keep Walkin') ," by Toby Mac, is one that often inspires me to keep going, which is exactly what we need this time of year. Spring Break is around the corner and your learners know it! What's more, you're also thinking about state testing, end of year evaluations, job security, and prep for the upcoming year. It's a lot, Leaders, but we know you have what it takes to make it through. Keep marching! Step-by-step. Before you know it, you will be at the end. What is your best advice to keep going even when it's tough, Leader? For us, it's making sure we take time to be honest with our feelings and address them. To focus on what is in front of us right now and let the future take care of itself. Be faithful in today and trust God for tomorrow, that's our marching cadence. We're praying for your endurance this month, Leaders! Here's what we're offering on the March 2

Reawaken, restart, rejuvenate, renew. Spring - a time of growth, new life, and warmth - is full of JOYful possibilities. Welcome to the Spring celebration! " Daisy Flowers in White " by Karen Arnold via Public Domain Pictures Vernal Equinox Offerings: Did You Know...   Wolfe Stew Connects Bible Verses and Quotes   Activity Suggestions  (For families, classrooms or individuals) Did You Know: Two "first days" of spring exist? One, the equinox, is astronomically based, but the other, used by climate scientists, is based on the temperature cycle. So, dear reader, you may choose to celebrate the first day of spring on March 1st (meteorologically) or March 20th (astronomically). Some cultures recognize the vernal equinox as their new year ?  While we celebrate the New Year in January, some countries in the middle east wait until spring to officially mark a New Year. To celebrate, they jump over bonfires, clean their homes, feast, paint eggs, bang pots, and picnic. A s

Chasing treasure at the end of a rainbow awakens childhood wistfulness leading to JOY for me. Add in silly Leprechauns and a sprinkling of Irish tradition and you have a recipe for JOYful memories. But in the end, we know our true JOY comes from being still. St. Patrick's Day Offerings: Did You Know...   Wolfe Stew Connects Bible Verses and Quotes   Activity Suggestions  (For families, classrooms or individuals) Did You Know: St. Patrick was British? At 16, Irish raiders kidnapped Patrick and sold him to a Celtic priest. After six years as the priest's shepherd slave, he escaped back to England only to return to Ireland years later as a missionary. St. Patrick is falsely praised for ridding the Emerald Isle of snakes? While it's true that Ireland has no snakes (a fact we find fascinating on its own), it was not because they heeded St. Patrick's banishment. More likely, the explanation is geographical in nature: Ireland is surrounded by water with a historically cold cli

Each moment we choose misery or JOY. Get Over It Day is a great chance to practice choosing JOY, to cast negative thoughts aside and open the window to let JOY in. Tell yourself to "GET OVER IT," and remember that you deserve JOY. Photo shared by Humaied Ullah via Pexels "Getting Over It" Thoughts: Did You Know...   Wolfe Stew Connects Bible Verses and Quotes   Activity Suggestions  (for any age) Did You Know: The word for dwelling on a negative event is ruminating? While people who suffer depression and anxiety commonly ruminate, all of us are likely to now and again - especially following a stressful experience. Co-ruminating is when you continuously rehash the event with friends, causing them stress as well. The neural networks in your brain worsen the effects of rumination? Thinking of a negative experience causes your brain to connect to other times you felt similarly. The reaction is a type of chain event that keeps you in that negative headspace longer . R

(Updated 3.9.2023) 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  Four we didn't. Wolfe Stew Connects  To fasting. Bible Verses  Inspired by Ash Wednesday. Activity Suggestions  About fasting, lent, and humility. 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 mirrors the 40 days Jesus fasted ( Matthew 4:1-11 ) before undergoing

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