DIY Home Blessing

Every year, we bless our home. Or at least we try. This year, we were a week late. It’s a beautiful tradition, inspired by the Book of Exodus, that you can do with your kids.

First, find some chalk. If you’re house is like ours, there’s a piece of chalk somewhere. Under a couch cushion, under the kids bed, in the garage, on the driveway. The list is endless.

According to Aleteia, a priest traditionally, blesses chalk on the Feast of the Epiphany by saying the following prayer (from the Roman Ritual):

Bless, + O Lord God, this creature, chalk, and let it be a help to mankind. Grant that those who will use it with faith in your most holy name, and with it inscribe on the doors of their homes the names of your saints, Casper, Melchior, and Baltassar, may through their merits and intercession enjoy health in body and protection of soul; through Christ our Lord.

Being the head of the household, I usually bless the chalk, then while marking the doors 20 +C +M +B 21 with chalk, I pray the blessing.

Bless, + O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.

20 +C +M +B 21

As the article in Aleteia clearly states, [t]here is no “guarantee” that a home marked with Epiphany chalk will be protected from all illnesses, it does remind us that God is the giver of all gifts and he can lead us into good health. The spiritual needs of the family should always be in the forefront of our mind, knowing that God will lead us through every dark valley — and from the looks of things, it may take us all of 2021 to climb out of the dark valley of 2020.

Thank you to Aleteia for reminding us to bless our house again this year. The steps and prayers below come directly from their website. So, please, support them by visiting their website.

I hope you take the time to bless your home. God bless!

James is the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, The Christmas Save, and two children’s books: The Second Prince and Klaus: The Gift-giver to ALL!  

As a writer, James has been featured on The Inside Success Show, Bob Salter (CBS Radio),  Mike Siegel, Mancow, and more.  

Beyond writing, James worked with At-Risk youth in Southern California for over six years.  His contributions to the classroom — featured on local television and in the LA Daily News and the Los Angeles Times’ Burbank Leader — earned him the honors of “Teacher of the Year”.    James was also twice honored by a CASDA Scholar as the teacher who had the greatest influenced that student.   As an educator, James also appeared twice on America Live with Megyn Kelly. 

Today, James lives in New York where he continues to teach — and write.   Besides his books, you can follow his musing on this blog Corporation You.

To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman/McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com.

Read Full Post »

Why Don’t Donkeys Go to School?

Image by Darren Coleshill from Pixabay

Recently, I had a K.I.D.S. relapse while packing for a trip to our lake camp and went into a Daddy rage!

“I guess no one wants to help me!” I shouted in frustration packing the car without an assistance.  “For the rest of the week, if anyone wants something from Dad, my answer will be ‘no!'”

Later that day, my five-year-old handed me a note.

“Can we not go to Stewart’s [for ice cream]?” 

It reminded me of a classic line my step-dad used to say — and he had many.

“You know why donkeys don’t go to school?” he’d say. “Because nobody likes a smart ass.”

Grandpa would’ve loved my little man!

 

James Henry is also the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, ‘Twas, Hail Mary series, and two children’s books: The Second Prince and Klaus: The Gift-giver to ALL!  To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman/McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988 or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com.

Buy Now!

 

Read Full Post »

TV Needs More Mayberry!

Rarely does my family watch Network Television.

If we do, I hold my hand securely on the remote with my finger on the mute button. The TV dilemma is two-fold: Either the content is inappropriate or the commercials are “not ready for Prime Time.”

Maybe my wife and I are just old school or too traditional. (In defense of network television, I find my pastor’s sermons often inappropriate for my children’s ears — especially with his constant use of he-double hockey sticks and the frequent use of the Lord’s name … often, in what us traditionalist consider to be, in vain.)

There’s few places for parent to go these days. To paraphrase Rascal Flatts “I miss Mayberry … where everything is black and white.”

Thankfully, there’s MeTV where my kids and I can go back in time and watch the timeless episodes of the Andy Griffith Show.

Instead of being a watchtower of protection with the remote pointed at my flat-screen and my finger resting on the trigger, my couch once again becomes what is was intended to be: A sanctuary of comfort where I can stretched-out my arms and wrap them around my boys.

Families need more of that today! And, TV needs more Mayberry!

 

James Henry is the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, ‘Twas, and the new book series Hail Mary. For six years, James taught At-Risk kids in Los Angeles. Today, he lives in New York where he continues to write — and teach. To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman & McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988 or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com.

 

Read Full Post »

EvanTube HD … A Return of Good, Clean Family Entertainment

It’s difficult being a parent today.

No, let me restate that: It’s difficult being a protective parent today. Even when you try to watch something child-friendly, it often backfires. For example, over Christmas Break, we turned to the ABC app to watch Prep and Landing.

The content was family-friendly and quite entertaining, but many of the commercials were unwatchable. One commercial that popped up was for an R-rated horror pix that gave my oldest son nightmares. (Well, almost.) During the sequel, my wife and I had to mute the iPad during the commercial breaks and have the kids turn away until they were over.

Like I said, even when you try to watch something child-friendly … it’s difficult!  Enter EvanTube HD.

If you’re looking for fun family-friendly content, you’ve come to the right place!

That’s how the channel describes itself – and that couldn’t be MORE accurate.

It goes on to say:

Our channel is all about KID FUN! Toys, Challenges, Animals, Video Games, Science Experiments, Special Effects, Animation and Attractions!

Again, CHECK on accuracy!

If it’s fun for kids, it continues, you’ll find it here!

ANOTHER CHECK!

The star of the show is a highly articulate kid named Evan. He’s slightly older than my oldest, who has seemingly grown up with Evan – and is one of his biggest fans.

His sister, Jillian, soon started making cameo appearances and now has a channel of her own, appropriately named Jillian Tube HD. His mom and dad are now also regulars as well.

This show is simply good, clean fun!

It’s the Ozzie and Harriett of our day – and a welcomed return of true family entertainment!

 

 

James Henry is the author of Corporation YOU: A Business Plan for the Soul, ‘Twas, and the new book series Hail Mary. To contact James or book an interview, please contact Mark of Goldman/McCormick PR at (516) 639-0988 or Mark@goldmanmccormick.com

Read Full Post »