Christian Spiritual Counseling

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Holy Thursday and the Last Supper

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: The Lord’s Supper

One of the most spiritually nourishing elements of our faith is the body and blood of Christ.  It was not only shed as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, but is also given to us again when we remember the Lord’s supper.  This spiritual food, whether we believe it to be literal or symbolic, is a source of grace that nourishes the soul and fortifies it against sin.
Below is a short video about the Last Supper to enhance one’s spirituality for the day
httpV://www.youtube.com/watch?v=997ni1xcmKw

If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling Certifications, then please click here

AIHCP

Last Words of Christ

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: Last Seven Words of Christ

The video below beautifully outlines Christ’s last seven words on the cross.  Have a peaceful and spiritual holy week
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcskgl8qoSk
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If you would like to become a Christian Counselor, then also review.  The program in Christian Counseling consists of core courses.  These courses help prepare qualified professionals for the academic and pastoral demands of Christian Counseling.
If you would like to become a Christian Counselor, then please review our blog also.

AIHCP

Christian Counseling Meditations for Holy Week

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: Holy Week Meditations

A short video of classical art and music depicting Christ’s last days on Earth.  Helpful meditations for holy week
httpv://youtu.be/fR2YBMkGIOo
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling certifications, then please review the program and click here
There are a variety of meditations to consider during this Holy Time.  Meditations from mystics or meditations from Scripture.  You can also partake in a variety of church devotions or merely have private devotions about something related to the wounds of Christ.
If you are wondering how to become a Christian Counselor, then please review our program. Our program in Christian Counseling can show you the steps it takes on how to become a Christian Counselor.
In the meantime, please enjoy the video and please feel free to review our blog.  If you have any questions, please let us know.

AIHCP

Do you want to take Christian Counseling Courses: What Does the Papacy Mean Anymore?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Do you want to take Christian Counseling Courses: The Papacy

Christian Counselors from different theological backgrounds may have differing opinions on the Papacy.  Some may see it as the vicar of Christ on Earth, while others may see it as a self entitled and political position.  Some may sway in the middle and call it a Christian symbol on Earth.  Whatever the case, Christian’s views on the Papacy usually direct their overall Christian world view on the essence of what “church” is or as theologians call it, Ecclesiology.
Some extremists may denounce the Papacy as the “whore of Babylon” while devout Catholics will defend the infallibility of the Pontiff as Christ’s successor, but what can the papacy be for the Christian world—so divided?
Please review the following ideas on this divided issue.  In the meantime, if you wish to take Christian Counseling courses, then review the program.

From a Catholic Perspective

As Francis I takes the throne of Peter, orthodox catholicism views the role of the pope as the successor of Peter.  They believe the Pope is the leader of the Church and in spiritual matters only cannot error.  This is especially the case when the Pope speaks from the throne of Peter.  Catholics do not believe the pope is perfect or is incapable of sin.  In fact, the Church has had many evil men sit on the throne of Peter throughout the centuries.
Liberal Catholics will attack the divine founding of the Petrine ministry and even the belief in infallibility which was declared at the First Vatican Council in the Nineteenth Century.
While Catholics see the Pope as the successor of Peter and Vicar of Christ, they do not consider him to replace Jesus.  In fact, the head of the Church is Christ and not the Pope.

From a Protestant Perspective

The position among Protestants is very complicated.  Some forms of Protestantism recognize a hierachy while other grass root elements of Protestantism possess no hierarchy.  Obviously, Anglicans would have a better understanding and appreciation for the Petrine Ministry than Baptists.  Some Protestants view the Pope as an important symbol of Christianity but do not follow his legal authority while others view him as the seat of the Antichrist.
For the most part, Protestantism denies a special priesthood that is beyond that of the universal priesthood of Baptism.  For these reasons, the relevance of the Pope is not seen as important to them and their spiritual relationship with Jesus.

From an Orthodox Perspective

The Orthodox have never denied the power of this Western Patriarch in the affairs of the Western Church but they do question his universal authority.  Before the schism, the Pope was seen as a first among equals.  The five Patriarchal Sees of Rome, Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria and Constantinople ruled the early Church.  The successor of Peter was acknowledged in Rome but his political power did not filter into the management of the other autonomous churches.  As Rome became more powerful, the See of Rome became more prestigious which led to political dissention.  After the fall of Rome, the East especially resented Roman pride as Rome became a stable to the barbarians.  Through cultural and political shifts, the two churches fell away from each other.  While some Eastern Churches retain union with Rome, most of the East remains separated, not recognizing the Pope’s legal authority outside of his See.  They possible could view him as a center of unity but any matters of authority within their churches would be rejected.

A non-Christian Perspective

For non-Christians, especially Jews, Muslims, and Easterners, the Pope plays a pivotal role as a statemen for religious and human dignity.  While the Papacy is not free from political corruption and bad political decisions within its past, it still for the most part, especially in recent years, proven to be a champion of the poor and those who are afflicted and have no voice.

What Does History Have to Say?

Whether Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant, history does support a hierarchy within the early Church.  Via apostolic succession, Francis can trace his roots back to Peter.  While historians and scholars debate whether the See of Peter became eminent via political shifts or the words of Christ “On this rock I will build my Church” there remains enough evidence to support that the idea of a pope is central to Christianity prior to the Sixteenth Century.

So What is the Role of the Pope in the Universal Church?

If your a Christian, the papacy means alot to you regardless of denomination.  It is a tradition and a guiding hand in many spiritual matters.  Some issues may divide Christians, but the pope is a voice that is heard around the world as a symbol of Christian unity.  While some may wish to forget the first 1600 years of Christianity, one cannot dismiss the driving power of the Papacy for better or worst.  It is a Christian treasure for all to embrace–just to what degree depends on who you are.
If you are a non Christian, then the Papacy and its relevance depends upon who sits on the throne of Peter.  For the most part, it is the responsibility of the Popes to defend all peoples.  In many cases they are the only voice of the afflicted.  Unfortunately this has not always been the case, but when a man of great integrity does become pope, it is a blessing for the whole world.

May God bless, Pope Francis–may he be a central voice for all Christians as he dispenses the Word of God and protects the poor and weak from the rich and powerful.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Certifications, then please review the program
For those wishing to take Christian Counseling courses, you will find a wide variety of Christian Counseling courses that can lead to your certification in Christian Counseling.
Once you take the Christian Counseling Courses, you are eligible for certification.  After three years you can renew.
Please review the blog and if you have any questions, please let us know

Mark Moran, MA

How to become a christian counselor: Christian Behavior in the Modern Day Church: What Would Christ Do?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: The State of the Church on Earth

“And the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it”-strong words and the ultimate promise of Christ to Peter regarding his Church.  Yet,  while victory will be denied to Satan, one must accept that the Church will be tested.   This testing has pushed many Christians away from the Church because they do not understand the nature and relationship of the Bride of Christ.  Christian Counseling needs to make clear what the Church is and a Christians responsibility to the Church.

First, what is the Church?  So many times, we mistake the entirety of the Church to that of the hierarchy.  This is an error.  The Church is the entirety of all believers, those in Heaven and those still on Earth.  Within the Church on Earth or the Church Militant exists the hierarchy and the laity who all equally represent the Church on Earth as equal brothers and sisters in their baptism.  Only the form and duty of the branches differentiate them in their paths.  Ultimately all share in the royal priesthood of Christ and are called to know, love and serve God.  Those who wish to learn how to become a Christian Counselor are also part of the church and play an important role in its function and reform.
While the Church of Heaven can never sin, the Church on Earth, while still a perfect spiritual bride of Christ, is marred by the sins of its members.  With this comes a dualistic nature of the Church-a Church made of sinners but for sinners.  Stemming from apostolic succession, the hierarchy element of the Church spiritually feeds its children via Baptism and the Lord’s meal, while the laity of the Church accept these spiritual gifts and also utilize their special charisms in helping advance the Church.  Yet, within both hierarchy and laity exists a broken human element.  A broken element that throughout the ages has caused corruption within the physical structure of the Church.  Satan, has utilized the corrupt to gain control and cause pain and suffering through the arm of the physical structure of the Church.  Some can see pass this, while others correlate corruption with he spiritual nature of the Church.  These people lose their faith and revolt instead of keeping strong the faith and reforming it.
Perhaps with a better understanding of the Church and its structure, these people would not have reacted agains the corruption of the hierarchy in form of revolt but reformation instead.  Christ never came to destroy the Old Law, despite the corruption that existed, but he came to fulfill and reform it.  This is the calling of today’s Christians.  We are not to revolt and hate the Church for its corruption, but vigorously defend the spiritual nature of the Church.  If we truly understand the nature of the Church, then we can never leave her, but always remain apart of her because we know we are part of her as well.  Is that not the Mystical Body of Christ?
With these views in mind, we can only imagine Christ’s disgust with the abuse within the Church.  His disgust is not with merely the present state but also the past.  While there is 2,000 years worth of goodness, there is also 2000 years worth of corruption.
Christ’s disgust would first fall upon laws that no longer serve man but hinder.  Traditionalists who hold to outdated laws and judge man by that are no different than the pharisees of Christ’s day.
Christ’s disgust would fall upon the division of of his Churches.  He would find no amusement with the divison of East and West and the multiple divisions within Protestantism.

Christ’s disgust would fall upon the present hierarchy who boldly call themselves “Princes” of the Church and care more about the politics of the physical Church instead of its spiritual purity.
Christ’s disgust would fall upon the pedophiles of all religious denominations who prey upon children and supposed shepherds who hide these monsters from justice.
Christ’s disgust would fall upon the various heretical doctrines that attempt to water down his teachings.
Christ’s disgust would fall upon the rich and powerful who oppress the poor.
Christ’s disgust would fall upon those who are Christian in name only and do not fulfill the teachings of the Gospel
Where would we find Christ?  We would find Christ criticizing those who defile his teachings.  Whether minister, priest, religious or bishop, Christ would correct false doctrines and question these supposed shepherds.  While Christ would never condone open revolt against just leaders, he would demand that we stand up to those leaders who pervert his doctrines for financial or political gain.
We would find Christ helping the poor.  We would find him conversing with the sinners.  While Christ would never expect us to condone these sins, he expects us to serve our neighbors with Christian charity.

We would find Christ standing up for those without rights.  Christ expects us as Christians to defend the rights of the unborn.
We would find Christ holding and consoling the victims of sexual abuse and justly condemning those who supposedly represent him.
We may very well find Christ, “turning tables over” in many churches who supposedly profess his name.
Christ founded the Church and he does not expect us to revolt against it but he expects us to reform it.  Minister, priests, bishops, christian counselors and even laity need to start this reform.  If you would like to learn how to become a Christian Counselor and help in this reform, then consider becoming certified.
The biggest question to be answered is would those who control the Church today yield to their master or crucify him once again?

If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling Certification, then please review our program. Those who want to learn how to become a Christian Counselor can learn more by reviewing the program.
Those who wish to learn how to become a Christian Counselor will discover that the process is a simple one.  Simply take the required courses.  Once these courses are completed, those who wish to learn how to become a Christian Counselor can become certified.

Christian Mentorship: Ireland Forever Christian

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Mentorship: St. Patrick’s Legacy

A slave who became bishop and patriarch of Ireland forever changed the destiny of Ireland.  Once a pagan people controlled by the druids, St. Patrick would forever change the spiritual values of a people who would never waver from Christianity once it was imprinted.  Those interested in Christian Mentorship can find a great example in St. Patrick
This is the legacy of St. Patrick.  As he drove the snakes from Ireland, he also drove out any satanic or pagan element remaining within the people.  The people of Ireland would forever hold strong to their Christian faith, not just as a spiritual gift but a national identity.
While today struggles continue in Europe as people neglect their faith, Ireland still fights the spiritual war against materialism.  Marred by the sex abuse scandal, the people still fight for their faith and values, demanding reform instead of revolt.  Ireland cannot separate itself from its Christian identity.  This is the legacy of St. Patrick.
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling, or Christian Mentorship then please feel free to review our program.

Why Did The Pope Choose "Francis"?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling: Saint Francis

Pope Francis has taken upon himself a new lineage of Pontifical names.  Why the name Francis?  Within Christian circles, Francis is a name that invokes thoughts of humilty and great holiness.  This is due to the fact that St. Francis of Assisi is considered one of the greatest saints within the Church.  He is also respected outside of the Catholic Church as a patron of animals and a paradigm of virtue.  It is of no wonder that this name was not chosen sooner.

Who was St. Francis?

St. Francis is a saint all Certified Christian Counselors should know.  He was a Thirteenth Century Brother who founded the Francsican Order.  His life was dedicated to the service of the poor and emulating Christ.  His life however is far from meditative and solitary but full of stories and adventures.  This great saint traveled to the Far East and dealt with great sultans and stood before past popes as he founded his brotherhood.  In addition to this, many stories circulate with how he dealt with and spoke with animals.  One such story involved a wolf who terrorized a small town and how St. Francis persuaded the wolf to leave the people alone.
Perhaps the most amazing story of St. Francis is the stigmata.  It is said that St. Francis received the wounds of Christ while in a state of deep meditation.  Very few saints possess the stigmata.  These and other astounding miracles all led to his almost immediate canonization only two years after St. Francis’ death.
Pope Francis as a religious of the Jesuit Order has always been concerned about the poor.  This is perhaps why he has always been attracted to the life of St. Francis and why he decided to choose this saint as a patron for his pontificate.
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling courses, then please review the program.
Certified Christian Counselors can receive continuing education in Christian Counseling by taking the core courses.

Mark Moran, MA

Christian Counseling: Experiencing the Passion This Lent

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Certifications in Christian Counseling: The Passion of Christ

Christian Counseling hopes to prepare spiritual children for Lent.  In some ways, a Certified Christian Counselor becomes a spiritual mentor or spiritual director in these cases.  One of the ways to help spiritual children, and yourself, grow spiritually is a focus on one’s sins and the Passion of Christ this Lent. For those interested in certifications in Christian Counseling, this article will have spiritual benefit
Experiencing the Passion of Christ can be accomplished numerous ways.  First and foremost via meditation.  A meditation that becomes initially active in choosing a mystery of Christ’s passion.  Whether it is the scourging of the pillar, the crowning of thorns, or the three hour agony of the cross, Christians can pick a particular suffering and focus on it.  This will undoubtedly bring one to tears but this good.  Too many times, Christians hope to focus on the glories of Christ or avoid the morbid suffering of their Lord.  Maybe this is because of guilt of one’s sins, or maybe the pain of seeing Christ brutally tortured?   Yet, unlike Peter in his fraility of the moment to flee, let us instead behave like John and suffer with Christ.   We should courageously enter into meditation, expecting tears and pain.  We should offer this sadness in union with our Lady to her Son.  We can in this way, ease the burden of the weight of the cross simply by being there for our Lord.  As God, Christ will sense our reflection, even though historically the incident happened 2000 years ago.  As Simon shared the weight of the cross, we too should share our small sufferings with Christ.  With Christ and only with Christ can these minute pains bear great spiritual benefit.

In addition to deep and reflective meditation, we should also socially partake in these sorrowful mysteries with our brothers and sisters.  Passion plays, the stations of the cross and pious movies on the passion are all excellent ways to remember our Lord’s passion.  As a collective group, we can remember and thank Christ for his ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
Personally in addition to attending the stations every Friday, I find it very spiritually rewarding to watch The Passion of the Christ.  This film is by no means an easy exercise.  It is a meditation in itself that tests the spirit and body.  If one truly loves Christ, then one cannot escape tears.  Based on a mystic’s visions, this film starts from the Garden and ends at the Cross.  This graphic film of Christ’s passion helps one find remorse for sin and increases one’s love for Christ.
Beyond this, there are many important theological elements within the film that capture the greater picture.  The Passion of  the Christ is more than just an execution of our Lord but is an unfolding of a battle between good and evil.  It is a pinnacle point of the war against Satan where his power over the human race will be forever altered.  The theological drama that mere human eyes cannot see are clearly portrayed in this movie.  Frequent times, Satan appears throughout the execution of Christ mocking him–only until he truly realizes that Christ is God does the demon realize his folly.
In addition to this, the movie also helps us to appreciate the suffering of our Holy Mother.  As a mother, she sacrificed her son for our sins.  Her spiritual crucifixion is clearly seen and witnessed as Jesus meets his mother on the way to Calvary.

Finally and important to note, the redemptive theology is impressive.  If one takes note, Christ is tempted by the serpent in the garden to give up.  Unlike Adam, who in a different garden gave in to the serpent, Christ as the New Adam and redeemer, crushes the head of the serpent and accepts God’s will.  In that acceptance, we are redeemed instead of damned.
I think it is important to reflect on these things during Lent.  Whether it is through meditation, a play, a movie, or the stations, we need to focus on the death of Christ, what it means to us and how we can repay him.

If you are interested in certifications in Christian Counseling, then please review the program.  Certifications in Christian Counseling usually entail qualifications in ministry, pastoral care or academic degrees.  If you are qualified, you can earn certifications in Christian Counseling by taking the core courses.  Once the courses are complete, you can become certified.

Mark Moran, MA

Eastern Fast and Western Fast: The Difference?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Become a Certified Christian Counselor:  East and West Fast Differences

Christian Counselors can help many confused Christians of both East and West regarding fast rules and regulations.  Christian Counseling sessions can include a time for informative exchange of information.  One such conversation can include both Eastern and Western guidelines.

The History of Differences

Even prior to the schism of the Eleventh Century, the East and the West had begun to diverge socially from each other.  While the Eastern empire continued to prosper, the Western empire began to crumble as barbarian invasions crippled it during the Fourth and Fifth centuries.  Traditions that were once universally shared began to erode hence creating two different social and cultural traditions of Christianity.  While sharing the same faith and professing the same lord, the West began to adapt to the culture that had subdued it.   In fact, as Rome christianized the barbarians and became the only light of the dark ages, it also was changed in some ways.
The See of Peter became a secular throne as well as a spiritual one which whether for better or worst would shape the future of the papacy and its interactions with the new found kingdoms.  As these changes progressed, the church itself would become a central figure in the new culture of Western Christendom.   While there were many differences between East and West such a celebrant priesthood, the role of the pope, the filioque and other minor rules, the two churches continued to exist as one universal church.  These issues would later lead to a schism between the two heads of Rome and Constantinople.
Among the minor differences were fast rules.  The East then and as well as today, subscribed to a stricter Lenten code.  This included days of Abstinence from meat products on both Wednesday and Friday.  It also included Lent starting on Monday instead of Wednesday.  A final difference was regarding complete fast days.  The East subscribed to no dairy and meat on the first day of Lent and Good Friday.
The West would adapt to its new found converts and only enforce no meat on Friday, start Lent on Ash Wednesday and not enforce dairy on complete days of abstinence.
Since then, these rules have continued to exist in both churches.  Slight differences include Latin age requirements of 21 to 59, while Byzantine requirements are for all who can receive communion.
The Eastern Churches in union with Rome also maintained their traditions but coincide with the West in regards to the Gregorian calendar, while the Orthodox hold firm to the Julian calendar–which ultimately places Easter usually on a different day. A final difference is the East counts Sundays as part of the consequent forty days of Lent, hence the Eastern Lent ends the Friday before Good Friday, but Holy Week still involves fasting as a separate period of purification.  The West counts its Lent to the day prior to Good Friday and recently included Good Friday into the Easter Tridiuum till Easter Vigil.  All fasts are still imposed the final three days.
Whether Eastern or Western, Catholic or Orthodox, or Catholic or Protestant, all can agree sacrifices and offerings to God as a universal whole are important.  This Lent, no matter what rules or regulations bind us in charity, let us all offer together to God remorse for our sins and thanksgiving for the sacrifice of his Son.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Courses, then please review the program. If you would like to become a certified Christian Counselor, then please review also the courses that lead to certification.

Mark Moran, MA

Lent: At the Base of Golgatha

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Which Sacrifice is Better: Self Imposed or Inflicted?

Lent begins next week for the Eastern Catholic Church on Monday and for the Western Church as a whole on Wednesday.  While there are many regulations and ideas regarding fasting, days of abstinence and sacrifice, we will focus on a deeper spiritual idea today.  If you are interested in regulatory issues, please review blogs from last year that are archived, but this year I would rather focus on a deeper mystical issues.   Issues that Christian Counseling should look at as true methods for spiritual growth instead of merely giving something up and “grumbling about it for forty days”.
The first concept lies in obedience.  So many times, in Lent, we choose our own “demise”.  We pick to give up chocolate, television, or radio as our means of sacrifice.  While this has merit and is not discouraged, it should not be our primary and sole purpose of Lenten sacrifice.  Instead, let us focus on the small and trivial things that come before us without our consent.  The annoying individual or the small ache can all be utilized as sacrifice to God.  In obedience we accept what God gives us and then offer it up to the Lord.  In fact, we offer all our pains and irritations up to Christ at the foot of Golgatha, as he prepares to carry our crosses.  When we unite our pains with Christ, he gains merit for us and others.
So yes, voluntary sacrifice is important, as well as mandatory fasting, but the biggest impact may be in the unexpected and unwanted sacrifice that comes our way.  In obedience and charity we can make these things the biggest sacrifices for this Lent.
Tied to this obedience will grow a closer union with God.  This is the purpose of Lent!  The great mystics, St. Teresa of Avilla and St. John of the Cross all emphasized in their mystical theologies, the importance of union with God.  Obedience was always central in their teaching.  Through Lent, we exercise the first step of that union via purgation.  Sacrifice enables the soul to purge itself of the false idols of this world and enter into a state where the soul becomes pure and more able to receive illumination, which then leads to unity.
This Lent, let us purge ourselves, but not only by our chosen end but by whatever God may send us.  This is truly the heavy cross–and much heavier than self imposed penance.  If we wish to emulate Christ, we must realize his sacrifice was not his choice but one he accepted via obedience.  Christ was not able to pick or choose a way he would redeem us but was ultimately given only one choice and he accepted that cross.  Let our Lenten sacrifices also include the unexpected cross that God may give us.
If you are interested in learning more about Christian Counseling, then please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA