Monthly Archives: March 2026

The Boys Are Back

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As a kid I wasn’t much of an athlete, although I tried.

In fifth grade I joined the girl’s summer softball team. The coach put me in when we were getting creamed and there were two outs in the bottom of the ninth and it was getting late and he needed a sure out. Thus ended my softball career.

In junior high, I went out for basketball. I made a basket once. For the other team. I cried my eyes out in the locker room, even though we lost by twenty points. So I hung up my sneakers for good.

In high school, I ran in the 440 relay. My real reason for going out for track was because my voice teacher told me running would be good for my singing. It was. I lost every race but got the lead in the musical.

When I had kids of my own who showed an interest in sports,
I finally found my true calling.
I am a great fan.

That’s why today is such a banner day.
I get to use my gift for the next 187 days of the MLB season.
So, rap that apple, boys.
Throw the yakker, Miz.
Let’s see some oppo tacos, Yeli.

Today I will send my sons a meme from The Sandlot.


Today I will tune in to watch the first pitch.


Today I will wear my Brewer T-shirt.

Today I will eat a hotdog.

Because that’s my calling.

Kidneys and Bowels

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I know.
Weird title.
I’m going somewhere with this.

Although it’s hard to pick one favorite Psalm, I’d have to say Psalm 16 ranks right up at the top for me. It’s one of the few Psalms I’ve put to memory and I love to run through it in my head right before I go sleep.

There’s one line that always makes me smile. Verse seven says, “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.” I like the idea of God downloading His wisdom while I’m sleeping—teaching me even as I’m in a semi-conscious state. But there’s more.

The word “heart” in the phrase “even at night my heart instructs me,” is a very interesting word in the original Hebrew. It actually translates, “Even at night my kidneys instruct me.” Kidneys!

In ancient times, it was believed that the seat of human emotion resided in the lowest organs of the body—like saying, “from the bottom of my heart.” When animals were sacrificed in the temple, the most precious, choice part of the offering were the internal organs. Especially the fat around the kidneys.

Fast forward one thousand years and the Greeks took it even farther.
Or maybe I should say, even lower.

When Paul wrote a letter to his friend, Philemon, he said, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”

In Greek, “hearts” mean “bowels.”

So, this week, I dare you to tell your loved ones:

“I love you with all the fat around my kidneys,”
or
“I love you from the bottom of my bowels.”

Big Ben

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I have put off reading 1 and 2 Chronicles for years. It’s notorious for long lists and boring genealogies. Half of it is a remix of the previous books, Samuel and Kings. Some of it is repeated word for word, so I’ve skipped over Chronicles many times.

But no more.
Reading through it now is unearthing some delightful surprises.

Long before the Marvel Universe or the Avengers, there were some real-life super heroes. They were called David’s Mighty Men and their names are listed in 1 Chronicles 11. Among this group of warriors, was the “The Thirty”—known for great exploits and valiant fighting. Among “The Thirty” was “The Three”— they were the most famous of all. This trio once broke through enemy lines, drew fresh water from a well and brought it back to King David because they overheard him say he was thirsty. They risked their lives to get their beloved leader a cold drink.

One of David’s Mighty Men was particularly impressive.
A single 14-word sentence was written of Benaiah,
“He went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion.”

This begs some questions.
Did he chase that lion into the pit?
Why did he jump into the pit with the lion?
Why was he out chasing lions on a snowy day?
How did he manage to kill the king of beasts all by himself?

This short sentence isn’t all we get of Ben’s life. When King David saw the man crawl out of that snowy pit with a lion skin rug, he said, “Make that man my chief body guard.” Good move.

Sometimes I wonder what will be remembered about me someday.
What 14-word sentence could sum up my life and times?

“She made really good chocolate chip cookies
and watched a lot of baseball games.”
Lord, have mercy.

Good thing snow is in the forecast.
I’ve got some lions to chase.

Roll the Credits

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PB and I don’t go out to see a movie very often, but when we do, I am always impressed by the long list of names that roll by at the end, each one having contributed to the making of the film. We like to sit through the entire list of credits out of respect for all the hard work and dedication of so many people.

We are the last ones to leave the theater. I just know that if one of my loved ones’ names was rolling by, I’d want to acknowledge it. And point it out to everyone in the theater.

That’s kind of how I feel when I come to one of those long lists of genealogies in the Bible. While it may be tempting to skip over them, I tend to think those names deserve a little attention. After all, they were real people. If God saw fit to include their names in His Word, I should at least acknowledge them.

I’m reading 1 Chronicles in March. (See my Bible Reading Plan 2026) The first several chapters contain long lists of historical records and family lines. This will be a real test of my stick-to-itiveness, but there are gems hidden in there, I’m sure of it. Each name has contributed in some way to the story of Jesus. I’m just glad I don’t have to pronounce any of those names out loud.

Shout out to Hazarmaveth, Hazzelelponi, and Tilgathpilneser.

I see you Ir, Er, and Uz.

Kudos to you, Ulam, and your 150 grandsons. (Thanks for not naming them all.)

You can bet that I’ll be watching the credits roll when season six of “The Chosen” is released. PB’s name will be cast upon the big screen, along with hundreds of other extras. Wait for the “O”s and don’t blink.