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Can a Person Be Overly Righteous?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The article, “Can a Person Be Overly Righteous?” by Bob McCabe states

“Can “be not overly righteous” in Ecclesiastes 7:16 really be saying what it seems to be saying? Does God actually want us to tone down our righteousness?”

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:

The pharisees showed this type of behavior.  When we look at our goodness from ourselves instead of God, we find danger.  We can merit no good of our own accord but only through the Holy Spirit and divine grace.

When we enter into a “how glorious am I” type attitude we become the pharisees.  We see only our virtues and everyone’s vice.  We do not see our own vice of pride and lack of mercy.

We must be like the contrite sinner in the back of the temple as told by Christ.  To realize that we are nothing without Christ and that we must be humble.

If you are interested in Christian Counseling, then please review our program.  Our program offers a variety of courses in Christian Counseling then you can take to become certified.

 

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Christian Counseling Certification: Do You Have A Petrine Relationship With Christ?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling Certification: What is a Petrine Relationship?

In Christian Counseling, do ever notice different types of Christians who possess different characteristics in their relationship with the Lord?  One relationship to view is Peter. When we look at Peter and our Lord, we see a definite relationship that was special beyond the other apostles.  It contained certain qualities of leadership, inspiration and a deep bond.  This unique relationship played itself out from the very first time Christ and Peter went aboard his fishing boat to Peter’s ultimate end and martyrdom in Rome.

Peter as a Leader

Peter is seen as the leader of the apostles.  Christ chose him among the first to follow him.  He also challenged Peter more than any other because he saw the seed of leadership in him.  On one occasion, Peter is the first to proclaim Christ Lord.  On other occasions, we see the faith of Peter explode as he jumped out of the boat to walk to our Lord on the water.   While the other apostles remain hesitant, Peter stood out and led.  Later in Peter’s life, Christ will tell Peter that he will be the rock of the church and to feed his sheep.

Peter as a Fallen Human

Yet with all this expectation, we still find in Peter a true person.  A human much like ourselves.  Peter is filled with love for God but is so imperfect on so many occasions.  Even when Peter walked upon the water to our Lord, he lost concentration of Christ and began to drown.  In other stories, we see Peter’s insistence to never deny our Lord and even in the garden, he raised his sword to defend his master, yet hours later, he denied his Lord three times.

Later after Christ’s resurrection, Christ asked Peter three times if he loved him.  Many contend that Peter was given a chance to renounce each of his previous denial through this.  While I believe this is true, it is also true that each time Christ asked Peter if he loved him, he asked for a certain type of love.  A type of love that is lost in the English translation from the Greek.  Christ three times kept asking Peter for the ultimate love of self denial and total giving.  Yet Peter’s response was always a lower type of love of intense emotion and friendship.  Yet, Christ still saw the potential in Peter and asked for a lesser love in his final declaration, but forewarned Peter that one day he would feed his sheep and die for him because of his intense love.

Even in Peter’s later days, among the intense persecution in Rome, legend has that as Peter fled the city he was met by the glorified Lord, who was returning to Rome.  Legend states that Christ warned Peter if he would not stay with his flock that Christ himself would die again with his people.  While legend, -or maybe not, it does point to Peter’s spiritual evolution of finally accepting his cross and showing his ultimate love for his master.

Peter the Final Product

So from this simple fisherman came the first leader of the Christian Church.  A simple Jewish man who would take the reigns from Christ and guide the church, through his leadership and inspired writings.  This final product was a soul that willingly died for Christ and found himself unjust to die as his master, hence insisting upside down crucifixion.  This amazing transformation was due to a consistent commitment to Christ despite any pitfalls or failures.  It relied on hope from the Holy Spirit to guide him and allow him to constantly return to Christ with even more fire than before.  Yes, Peter always had that fire, but it needed fed and refueled.

Do We Have A Petrine Relationship?

Most of us do have a  Petrine relationship with Christ. !  We have a fire for Christ.  We love him and say we will do anything–and probably mean it at the time of saying it!  But it is so difficult to carry through.  Our broken human nature, our fears and the temptations of the world sometimes push us away and we lose focus–much like Peter did when he stood before our Lord on the water.   However, unlike others who despaired, like Judas, Peter never gave up.  Even after denial, he wept bitterly and became a better man and Christian.   How many times do we see this same pattern in our own life?   While many of us would like to see ourselves like John, steadfast and devout, most of us are more like Peter.  We have a strong love for the Lord but sometimes fail.

I feel Christ has a special love for “Peter” types.  Maybe its because I feel I fit into this group as well!  Those who have a Petrine relationship with Christ are almost paralled to Christ the way a loving father is to his son.  The father sees the good intent of his child and the potential of his child to be the very best son no matter his current short comings.  Peter was this type.   And ultimately, the finished product of his soul was something we should all hope to emulate.

 

If you are interested in learning more about Christianity, or counseling, then please click Christian Counseling Certification

 

Mark Moran, MA

 

The Rhythm of Forgiveness and Repentance

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

“Now this phrase of this prayer would be really wonderful if it stopped at “Forgive us our debts.” That’s how most of us pray, if we’re honest.”

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:

A closer look at the depth one must seek to forgive their brother and sister if they wish to be forgiven themselves.

This is key in Christianity.  Christ emphasizes it in his teaching, as well as in the Our Father.  It is not an option but a requirement.  It is also something necessary for us to attain forgiveness.

If you are interested in Christian Counseling, then please review the program.  If you have any questions regarding our Christian Counseling Education Program, please let us know.

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Program in Christian Counseling: Jesus healed with a non-judgemental spirit

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The article, “Jesus healed with a non-judgmental spirit”, by World Council of Churches states

“We must not forget the spirit with which Jesus healed the people,” says public health specialist Karen Sichinga”

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:
Jesus did heal with a non-judgmental spirit.  He looked at the soul of the person not their past sins.  Today Christians must seek to give health and healing ministries to all of God’s children.
To learn more about Christian Counseling certifications, then click here.
Our program in Christian Counseling emphasizes love and non judgement upon others but mercy and love.  This does not mean it does not emphasize the truth, but we are not to judge but love.
This is the primary element of counseling in itself.  To help and not hurt or judge.

See on www.christiantoday.com

The Resurrection Narratives

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Resurrection Narratives

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:
An excellent article for Christian Counselors and Christian Apologetics alike.  It talks about the supposed discrepancies of the resurrection narratives and offers insight regarding the validity of the stories.  What matters most is the fact the resurrection happened.  Minor details from five or six different sources does not derail the event–the primary event–he is risen.  This article offers excellent counter arguments to skeptics and atheists who deny the historic reality of Christ’s death.  If you are interested in learning more about christian counseling, then click here
If you have any interest in learning more about Christian Counseling, then please review the program.

See on www.apologeticspress.org

Christian Counseling Certifications: Images of Christ Resurrected

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: Celebrating the Resurrection

As Christian Counselors continue to celebrate the resurrection, below is a video on various famous paintings and other forms of art of Christ’s resurrection.

Christ is Risen, Indeed He is Risen
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rJDVZk1XMc
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling Certifications, then please click here
Christian Counseling certifications help qualified professionals become educated and trained in Christian counseling.  AIHCP offers Christian Counseling certifications to professionals.  To become certified, you need to take the basic courses.  After completing these courses, you are eligible to become certified.
Thank you for your interest in the program.  If you have any questions, please review the program

Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling: Christ’s Resurrection and Bright Week

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling and Bright Week

In the Church, some people celebrate Bright Week.  Christian Counselors should encourage this tradition.  This is a week of celebration where Christians reflect upon the post Resurrection stories of Christ.  The stories where Christ met the Holy women, met the apostles in the upper room, the story of Thomas, the meeting upon the roadside and other apparitions of Christ.

Christ’s Glorified Body: A Glimpse of Our Future

During this week, we acknowledge Christ’s resurrection as a physical reality.  Christ is not a phantasm or ghost but the same body that was crucified but only glorified.  Thomas himself testifies to this when he puts his hand into the side of Christ and kisses the precious wounds of Christ’s hands and feet.
While this was the same body that was crucified, Christ’s body was glorified.  This means it was no longer subject to pain or death.  It was matter but glorified matter.  It could become transparent or vanish as willed.  This is the same body that is promised to us in the Gospel at the General Resurrection.

The General Resurrection

As we all die with Christ, we too shall rise with him.  Christ as the New Adam was the first to rise, as Adam was the first to die.  So we too shall follow in Christ’s footsteps and one day rise with him.  Hopefully our glorified bodies will rejoin our souls in Heaven and share in the Beatific Vision of Christ.
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling courses, then please review our site

Mark Moran, MA

CHRIST IS RISEN-INDEED HE IS RISEN

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: Christ is Risen!

Christian Counselors and all Christians can rejoice in Christ’s joyous resurrection.
While many doubt and wish to label this as a mere mythical tale, we as Christians know it is a historic and true event.
Those who doubted it where first the Jews.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew points out that the high priests paid the guards to lie about the true surroundings of the resurrection.  They told the guards to lie and tell the people that the disciples stole Christ’s body.  Yet as we all know, the disciples were terrified to even leave the upper room.  All but John stayed with Christ’s mother and the holy women.
Later foolish skeptics would even state that perhaps Jesus was not truly dead.  This theory lost ground when pointed out that the Romans were experts at execution, especially crucifixion.  Muslims would also add their theories in that Christ was magically taken down from the cross and another put in his place.
Modern skeptics completely dismiss the resurrection story as myth.  They contend Jesus rose spiritually, and the apostles taught in a mytical lanaguage.  Other modern ‘scholars’ contend the apostles merely lied.
Yet with all these doubters of the true and risen Christ, we can be assured that we will be blessed in our faith, for Christ told Thomas ‘blessed are those who have not seen and yet still believe”
Below is a quick video for all skeptics and Christians alike—our Lord’s resurrection!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKSe9PE002o

If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling Courses, then please click here
Mark Moran, MA

How did Jesus understand death?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The article, “How did Jesus understand his death?”, by Brian Zahnd states

“How did Jesus understand his own death?
What meaning did Jesus give to his crucifixion?
Did Jesus have a “theology of the cross”?”

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:
Good article on how Jesus viewed his own death and how the secular world viewed it only to be overturned by the court of God.  Learn to understand death how God does.  If you are interested in Christian Counseling Courses, please click here
Our Christian Counseling Courses are based off of sound Christian teaching and do not deviate from the teachings of Christ.  Qualified professionals who take our Christian Counseling Courses can become certified.

See on www.patheos.com

Learning More About Christian Counseling: What is the Easter Triduum?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Learning More About Christian Counseling: Easter Triduum

Christian Counselors can better help their spiritual children prepare for Easter by teaching them the value of the Easter Triduum.  If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling the this set of feasts, then please read and enjoy
The Easter Triduum is a separate season within a the season of Lent and Holy Week.  It focuses on the final three days before the Resurrection with special emphasis on the Passion of Christ.

Holy Thursday

It begins on Holy Thursday at Seven where in the Catholic Church, a special Mass or Liturgy is offered in remembrance of the Lord’s Supper.  Within the Catholic Church, this Mass has special meaning because it both institutes the sacrament of the Eucharist within the first Mass and also institutes the priesthood.  Catholic theology sees a very intimate connection between the Last Supper and the Sacrifice of Calvary.  It through the eternal nature of Calvary that the graces of that historic event are forever poured out to the faithful through the Mass which in turn continues the tradition of the first Passover Mass of Christ.  Another beautiful tradition, found in the Latin Rite, is the priests washing of the feet of the faithful.  This pious practice allows the priest, as representing Christ, to wash the feet of his own “disciples”.
Protestantism still finds great value in this feast as well as they too remember the Lord’s Supper.  Of course within Protestantism, the Eucharist is seen as a spiritual presence or in some cases only a symbolic gesture.  Yet, the importance of the Last Supper and its ties to the sacrifice of the cross are equally revered and honored.
Holy Thursday is also meditated upon by both traditions as time to reflect upon Christ’s agony in the garden, his arrest and beatings at the hands of the Temple guards.

Good Friday

Good Friday is reserved completely for the Passion of Christ.  In the Catholic Church, this is the only day Mass or Liturgy is not offered.  The reason behind this is because of Christ’s death.  It is on this day that the only sacrifice offered is that of Christ himself.  He is the high priest of the church and all other “priests” bow before his eternal sacrifice.  Some Protestant churches during this time also offer passion plays.  These plays allow people to remember the sacrifice of Christ.  Some Protestants and Catholics both give time to reflect on the stations of the cross and in the Eastern Church, the faithful reflect on the twelve gospels leading to Christ’s death.
It is a time honored tradition on this sad day for Christians of all denominations to remove themselves from the secular world between the hours of Noon and Three and to remain in silent contemplation, prayer and fasting.

Later in the night, vespers are offered in some churches.  In the Eastern Church, an icon of Christ nailed to a cross, is unscrewed.  Symbolically, the icon is taken from the cross and then placed in a shroud of relics.  The priest then puts the shroud over his head and leads a candlelight procession around the church.  This procession commerates Christ’s death and his burial.

Holy Saturday

This is a day of great anticipation.  In the morning, especially in the Catholic and Eastern Churches, there are resurrection matins recited.  By eve, after sundown, the Church then is permitted to offer Mass or Liturgy for the Resurrection.  In many churches, Easter Baskets are blessed.  In the Eastern Church, the pashca–Easter meal is celebrated the eve of Easter.
Holy Saturday is a good day to prepare oneself for Christ’s resurrection.  As Christ was crucified, we too should feel “crucified” through our meditations during the Triduum to only be resurrected with Christ on Sunday!
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling, then please review our site

Mark Moran, MA