For more information, call 800.525-5667 or go to www.lifelineofohio.org .

Five years ago, Roy Bobbitt donated a gift of life kidney to me.  My gratitude will never be adequately expressed!

Sleep Matters! Nearly one in four American couples sleep in separate bedrooms or beds, the National Sleep Foundation reported in a 2005 survey. Recent studies in England and Japan have found similar results. And the National Association of Home Builders says it expects 60 percent of custom homes to have dual master bedrooms by 2015.   

“What happened in the last decade,” said Dr. Meir Kryger, a sleep specialist at Gaylord Hospital in Connecticut, “is that people are suddenly making their own sleep a priority. If their rest is being impaired by their partner, the attitude now is that I don’t have to put up with this.”

But Paul C. Rosenblatt, a psychiatry professor at the University of Minnesota says Co-sleeping is better for your health. He found that most couples sleep best when they face away from each other.  Rosenblatt also says  Co-sleeping is better for your sex life, and is better for your security.   Other Sleep specialists say that those who pray before they go to bed are more likely to get a good night’s sleep.  My personal experience is that the best way to have one person fall asleep is for the other one to read some scriptures to them.  Works like a charm for me!

Some advice from the experts:

1.  Make your bed!  It only takes a minute and it sets the tone for the rest of your day.  It also opens up the overnight experience with a fresh start! 

2.  Make a plan for how you sleep together; decide who will face the bathroom door; who will turn out the light; who will get up for the 2am feeding; who leaves the room when the other person has reflux; when and if the ceiling fans is on or the window gets opened.

This is one case where it’s NOT true that – “You snooze, you lose”!

DON’T DO THAT!!  To see this highly sophisticated new therapeutic approach in action connect to the following link!  DDT Therapy enjoy!

If you listened closely on Saturday on “NADA TO WIN / NADA TO LOSE- QUESTION: (According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission), The three most injury-producing sports are basketball, football, and __________ (What)?

GOT GUESSES?   We’ll reveal the correct answer after five incorrect guesses, or obviously when/if someone guesses correctly.  Take at shot at it.  Remember, even if you lose, you are only a loser…. FOR A MOMENT!!

I wish there was a Sports Ohio near me when I was growing up! This place is an athletic kid’s wonderland. There is SO much to do. Check this out… I’m gonna list the sports you can play at this multi-plex. Ready?

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Batting cages
• Dodgeball
• Field Hockey
• Flag football
• Go Karts
• Golf
• LaCrosse
• Miniature golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Tee Ball
• & Volleyball

Now that’s a lot to do!  Any chance your kid will get bored here?!

Are you a “One Sport Family”?  You know, where you believe your child should only participate in one sport at a time?  A study done by America Sports Data Inc. found that, in youth organized sports, 69% of all parents want their children to play only one sport. If the child is between six and eight years old, 79% of those parents want their child to play only one sport. Of all the sports organization in 2004, 44% of the children stated they only wanted to play one sport.  Somehow it seems like kids gravitate to one or more sports over time, and they and mummy and daddy go crazy trying to coordinate the itineraries!

I think we can all agree that there are two extremes we need to avoid when it comes to our kids and sports – ALL or NOTHING. ALL is when we try to get our kids signed up for every possible sport so they can explore and develop all potential areas of their gifting.  NOTHING is when we discourage our kids from getting too involved because, well let’s face it – sports are really inconvenient, time consuming, and really expensive!!  When we make our decisions about children’s sports participation for our own selfish or personal reasons, and NOT for the kid’s development, we’re probably doing them a disservice.

There are pleanty of good reasons to involve our kids in team sports.  Sports help children develop physical skills, get exercise, make friends, have fun, learn to play as a member of a team, learn to play fair, and improve self-esteem.  

It is important to remember that the attitudes and behavior taught to children in sports carry over to adult life. Parents should take an active role in helping their child develop good sportsmanship. To help your child get the most out of sports, you need to be actively involved. This includes:

• providing emotional support and positive feedback,
• attending some games and talking about them afterward,
• having realistic expectations for your child,
• learning about the sport and supporting your child’s involvement,
• helping your child talk with you about their experiences with the coach and other team members,
• helping your child handle disappointments and losing, and
• modeling respectful spectator behavior.

TOP TEN LOUSY reasons have your child play sports:

10.  So you can avoid doing yardwork
9.  So you can finally yell at children in public
8.  You can’t find any other use for your grandfather’s baseball glove circa 1952
7. Because the neighborhood kids won’t play tackle football with you anymore because they’ve lost too many teeth
6.  To test your health insurances’ orthopedic coverage
5.  So you can live out your fantasy childhood through Jr.
4.  To have an excuse to by the Cadillac of folding chairs
3.  So you can NOT go to their games, just like your parents didn’t
2.  Because your kid is artsy and you just can’t deal with that
1. So the kid can earn a full ride at a D1 university!

Do you think kids are on overload these days? Do you think they have too many activities going on? Or do you think that it’s just about right? Or maybe even not enough?  I think you probably have some ideas of your own.  Got an opinion?  Weigh on in with your comments.

Don’t you wish that marital distress were really so funny?  Unfortunately, for the couples I know who are struggling, it will take more than a country lament to alleviate the struggle.

Chris Spielman has created a series of annual football games called the Spielman Gridiron Classic, to showcase local high school football teams, as well as create community awareness for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Breast Cancer research. It is also intended to be an event that is wholesome and fun for the entire family while benefiting the communities of Central Ohio.

Today I had the privilege of having Bob Hendrix give me and our listeners a glimpse (pretty good for radio, huh?!) of an emerging soon-to-be statewide high school football extravaganza.  Ten of the top boys football teams in Central Ohio will battle it out, leaving everything on the field, all for a couple of excellent causes.

2010 Spielman Gridiron Classic III Games

1. Hilliard Bradley @ Dublin Scioto—8/27 at 7:30PM

2. Westerville North @ Worthington Kilbourne—8/27 at 7:00PM

3. Westerville South @ Groveport – 8/28 at 7:30PM

4. Hilliard Darby @ Dublin Jerome – 9/3 at 7:00PM

5. Brookhaven @ Hilliard Davidson — 9/3 at 7:30PM

Who benefits?  The Stephanie Spielman Breast Cancer Research Fund, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes who will aim to send 500 kids to FCA camps. Former Buckeye All American, NFL linebacker, Chris Spielman, intends to address the crowd at each event.

Want more information? Tune in live at noon on Saturday, August 14th at 880AM, WRFD or check out the Spielman Gridiron Classic website.

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!?? – It’s all for a good cause. 

Men can never get it done.  We’re supposed to provide for our families; love our wives, coach our kids; relate to our teens;  be spiritual leaders; fix cars, fix the toilet, take care of the yard; get involved at church; be committed at the office/farm/shop; be romantic; be tough; be in touch with our feeling(s); read our Bibles and pray; be a good neighbor, father, husband, son, grandson…whew!  Not gonna happen.  The pull of the couch,the remote, the sports section, the Fantasy league, the golf clubs, the beer, the computer, the Play Station, the Sports Illustrated Swim suit issue – just how are we supposed to live up to the expectations of our forefathers, or, in come cases, our 4 fathers!?

Hey, Check this out!!

69th Annual “Father of the Year” Awards Luncheon
to Be Held June 17th at the NY Sheraton Hotel & Tower
100^th Anniversary of Father’s Day
The 2010 Father of the Year Awards will be presented to the following honorees:

• Francis “Ken” Duane, Vice Chairman, Wholesale Apparel, Phillips-Van Heusen
• Michael D. Fascitelli, CEO & President, Vornado Realty Trust
• David Gregory, Moderator, NBC TV News, “Meet the Press”
• General David H. Petraeus, Commander, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Army
• Jorge Posada, Catcher, World Champion New York Yankees
• Joe Fabitz – average joe, WORKING MAN, Somewhere in the midwest

No, there really was no Joe Fabitz who got this award.  They don’t give these glitzy awards to average Joe’s.  Joe is too busy changing diapers, and changing flat tires.  He’s working late hours to pay the bills, and feeling guilty because he still has trouble making the mortgage.  He’s fixing the leak in the roof, and the hard drive on the computer.  He loves his wife, but is vulnerable to seductive ads on TV, and the onslaught of porn on the computer.  He’ll never win an award like that above, and that’s why Greg and I want to pay tribute to him – the thousands of men, faces in the crowd who strive to do it all, and come up short everyday.

And then there are the women! Their battle is twice as tough!!  Being daughters, sisters, mothers, wives…, in many cases having to be driven twice as hard to succeed in the workplace, while being expected to be Proverbs 31 women as well.  That’s why Greg and I decided to get a woman’s perspective and  interview Susan DiMikele, lawyer, mother, wife, and author of Chasing Superwoman: A Working Mom’s Adventures in Life and Faith. Susan balances Lawyer Woman and Nurturing Mommy, two alter egos who each face overwhelming odds.  Susan wrestles with the idea she’s being a bad mommy because her cell phone won’t quit ringing in pediatrician’s office…, and much much more.

Wanna hear it? – Listen in on the show and hear about what helps to anchor Susan in her many roles.

SO WHADDA WE SUPPOSED TO DO ABOUT IT?!

Steven Covey uses an illustration with Rocks and Sand in a jar.  When you try to squeeze both into the jar, there is always some which over flows and will just not fit.  Covey says if we put the rocks in the jar first, and then pour in the sand, the sands finds it’s way around the rocks and all fits nicely in the jar.  The Rocks, Covey proposes, represent the Essentials, the Non-negotiables in our lives.  The sand represents the many good opportunities we have in life.  If we intentionally place our Big Rocks first, our faith, our family, at times, our work, then we are free to choose some of the other good things to add to our lives, as long as they do not mess with the Essentials.

Jesus said it well -³³But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.  ³⁴So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.  Matthew 6.33-34

IN THE GAME OF ‘TEXAS HOLD ‘EM OF LIFE”, ARE YOU ALL IN WITH CHRIST?

Again, Jesus said it well – “²⁸For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?  ³¹Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³²If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. ³³So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.”  Luke 14.28-33

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Before you and I determine what we will do with our day, or with our lives, do we consider God’s desires for us first?  Not me!  Generally I charge into my life taking on the things that scream at me the loudest, or any good thing which seems to fit my gifting.  I often do not first consider the cost – that is, how it will effect the Essentials of my life.  Will it dilute those things which God has asked of me?  Sometimes I forget to ask!  Then God sends a friendly reminder to me, when ‘Mr. Burned Out’ comes a calling…, or my wife beats him to the punch…literally!  (Jus’ kiddin’ Linda!)

Quit Comparing! Quit comparing yourself as a worker, a parent, a provider, etc..  Remember that “Comparison is the death of contentment”!  Stick to pursuing what, by God’s standards, is right for you and your family… and forget about what your neighbors, your parents, your siblings, or your co-workers think is right for you.

Here’s an idea!:  Find a more mature mentor, a man or woman who has walked further ahead in the roles we find ourselves.  Receive their influence and accountability.  Welcome input.  Christ did not die for our independence.  He died for our Dependence….upon Him.  Seek wise counsel from scriptures, from prayer, from Godly influences in your life.

Point 1 Determine what your non negotiable essentials are, lock them in first, and pursue those with diligence, knowing perfection is not an option.  Find a mentor to help guide you.

Point 2 Quit Comparing!  Comparison is the death of contentment.  Learn to be content with what you have.  Contentment provides a clearer view from which to make better decisions about priorities in life.   

Point 3 Strive for your best in accordance with the abilities and capacities God has given you.  Knowing you will never attain it all, strive to be a good steward of your resources as you lead your family.

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Finally,  get your goals to a realistic level, have only two:   1. start by following God… and 2. seek to maintain your sanity!   Do these and you’ll go far my daughter/ my son!

PARENTAL OBSERVATIONS
- A young child is a noise with dirt on it.
- Having children will turn you into your parents.
- Insanity is inherited; you get it from your kids.
- If you have trouble getting your childrens’ attention, just sit down and look comfortable.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

Pleasant words promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:21)

A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:23)

Discipline – what is the point?

But first, before we get into actual ideas on discipline, it’s important to really understand that: 1. Discipline flows out of relationship – it’s only ‘punishment’ if there’s no relationship.  2. Punishment may temporarily modify behavior, but it rarely impacts the heart.  What are the goals of good discipline?:

a.  to make the kid pay (punishment)?

b.  to make them never do that again?

c.  to teach them right from wrong?

d.  to train them in the process of reconciliation?

e.  to make us feel better?

f.  to change behavior in the moment, or impact the Heart?

Are we really teaching them right from wrong?

What do we model for them in the way of character? Are we prone to white lies and small deceits?  Do we cut corners?  Do we judge others? What is our driving like?  They learn so much more from watching us than they do from listening to us.

What are some effective types of discipline?

Types of consequences:

+ Spanking (done right!)

+ time out (done right)

+ taking privileges away

+ make amends

+ do extra chores

+ to bed earlier

+ do “penance” (write sentences, fix what was damaged…)

+ write apology

+ restrict key cherished items

What about Grace? Try this, count to 1,2,3 before you give the consequence!  Then make sure you follow through and give the consequence with giving any attitude.  Repeat this over and over again and they will learn quickly to move at 2.99!!

The most ineffective consequences:

-       yelling the sermon

-       yelling put downs (shaming)

-       lecture

-       derogatory sarcasm

-       have a good talking to! – explaining things

-       anything done out of anger

-       any done inconsistently

The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. – Proverbs 20:7

MAN UP

POINT 1  The best Discipline flows out of a good relationship (And a good parent/child relationship is not a friendship). Seek first to understand your child or teen, and then seek to understand the circumstances.  Only after that can you determine a ‘right response’.

POINT 2 Remember we are really raising an adult, not a child.  Relate to your child, remembering what you hope to see from them when they are in their thirties.  Model it for them.

POINT 3 Work to be consistent in your responses, as best as you can.  Rehearse good responses; have a plan; deliver the discipline, and then trust the results to the Lord.