Christian Spiritual Counseling

Other resources:

The Song of Songs and What Religious and Romantic Love Truly Is

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Romantic and Religious Love

Ideals of romantic love and religious love are sometimes very mixed throughout Scripture.  The idea of love of Christ and his love of the church is interwoven with ideals of marriage.  These beautiful analogies show that love at its heart involves certain characteristics.  In the Song of Songs, the woman is reluctant to give up her love of a shepherd for the love of King Solomon.  The poetry in the book expressed her pure love.  Also it proposes a deeper theological significance of a soul’s love for Christ despite the promises of the world.  Below is an excellent synopsis on this book and on spiritual love.

Pastor Glen Pease writes about romantic love and religious love and its relation to the Song of Songs.  In the article “Romantic and Religious Love Based on the Song of Songs”, he gives a concise analysis of the book and the ideas on romantic and religious love.

“Love makes the world go round, says the one time popular song, and there are very few who will deny it. History reveals that one of life’s greatest tragedies is to die unloved.”

For the full article, please click here.

The ideals of romantic and religious love are tied to the very fabric of human interaction and expression.  All need for counseling comes from loss of love and without an understanding of love and loss, no-one can truly ever counsel.  In this respect, Christian Counselors should become well versed in this book of the Bible.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling, please review the program and click here.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Discerning and Taking on Our Special and Unique Discipleship

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

As Christians we choose to believe Jesus rose. Please also review AIHCP's Christian Counseling CertificationCounseling the Doubtful to Their Proper Discipleship

During the gathering of the twelve, Our Lord did not seek out the most wealthy or influential people, but sought out the fisherman and tradesmen of various villages.  These men were far from educated but had pure hearts.  They were rich in spirit.
It is also noteworthy that these men gave up their lives for Christ.  They put away their fishing nets and followed him.  In contrast to the rich man who proudly told the Lord that he had observed all commandments but was unwilling to let go of his possessions and completely follow Christ as a disciple or apostle.
In this regard, the call of Christ is for all to fulfill discipleship in some way but many are unable to let go of the material illusions of this life to become spiritual and serve Christ.   The particular vocational call for each differs but ultimately there is a universal priesthood and discipleship that all must answer.  Christian Counseling can help one find their particular call of discipleship.

Priest/Minister Call of Discipleship

While many would see this as the most important, I would contend that such callings although more rare are still nevertheless equal callings of discipleship.  The function differs but the value of discipleship within the Mystical Body of Christ is equally yoked.  Even Christian creeds with a value of hierarchy have re-evaluated the pyramid type scheme of their Ecclesiology to point out that all calls to discipleship are equal in sanctity.  The Catholic Church, in “Lumen Gentium” clearly points out the importance of the laity and their equal calling before God.  The Catholic Church has seen the value in other Eccesliological models that dismiss a pyramid image with a circular image.  The circle portrays an equal plane that circumvents the central ties of unity.
With the proper perspective of priestly ministry understood as not a superior calling but a different and more rare one, people can begin to understand the unique call to discipleship that this calling encompasses.  The call to serve and to feed Christ’s sheep.  Did not Christ tell his apostles that they must serve.  Christ, as the ultimate master, even took it upon himself to wash the feet of his apostles.  How many times do we see the hierarchy parade as if kings-not portraying Christ but regressing to the behavior of the temple priests of Israel?

Hence the purpose of priestly discipleship which is in strict line with the work of the apostles is a mission of service to the church.  In this special vocational calling, a man surrenders his life to Christ and accepts Christ’s special invitation to follow him as his apostles did.  Christ comes to some early in life and to others older in life, but when the time is right, the soul feels the urge to answer “yes” to its master and follow him.  Is this not the way an invitation to ministry or the priesthood happens?  Can one not imagine the presence of our Lord at our door, knocking and asking if we will follow him?

Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen

Like the rich man, many do not answer this door.  Maybe they are entrapped in this world or fear change.  Christian Counselors, spiritual advisors and other men of the cloth can help encourage these souls to move forward with fortitude as Peter and his apostles did when our Lord visited them.  Our Lord will aid the journey for his weight is light and his yoke is sweet.  In fact, the life style that involves a discipleship of ministry is one of joy for those chosen for it.  Many men who choose a celebrant life as a priest or minister find an inner strength.  This inner strength was not developed but was placed by the Holy Spirit as special charism that gives such souls the ability to serve the church without need of companionship.  Many of these men do not feel the need to have a woman at their side.  They feel content in life with family and hobbies.  Prior to their ministry, they usually found themselves without a girlfriend.  This is not to say they never dated or were romantically involved in the past but the passion and necessity never burned in their souls.  Why?  Because the Holy Spirit has given them a self suffiency within their vocational call that will allow them, if they choose, to become instruments of God for his church.
Does this mean men must completely commit their life to Christ without a wonderful woman at their side?  Defintely no.  Some vocational calls of ministry include a loving wife at one’s side.  Within Protestantism, ministers and priests are blessed with the joys of serving the church and enjoying the interior intimacies of companionship.  Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, there are married Catholic priests.  Unlike the Western Church, the Eastern Church has celebrated a married clergy since the beginning.  These priests can be found in the Byzantine traditions and also the Non-Catholic Orthodox traditions.

Yet, some men feel the need to totally separate themselves from such companionship.  As another Christ, they become bethrown to the church herself.  With the special spiritual graces and their interior make up, they are able to happily execute a life totally dedicated to God without human sexual companionship via a wife.
Neither calling of celibacy or marriage within the ranks of ministry or priesthood are superior to one or the other because all vocational callings are from God and it is the purpose of a person to fulfill the will of one’s creator.

Other Vocational Calls of Discipleship in the Religious Life

Some feel a deep calling to serve the church through the religious life.  This calling is sometimes contemplative or missionary.  Various orders throughout the Church have opened itself to men and women to enter into a particular discipleship.  In Catholic circles, bound by the vows of chastity, obedience and poverty, these souls completely sever themselves from materialism and engage the world.  Some orders seek deep contemplation while others preach, aid the poor, visit the sick, commit to pastoral care, or provide missionary activity.  St. Francis, St. Anthony, St. Dominic, St. Benedict, St. Claire, St. Theresa of Avila,  and St. Theresa the Little Flower are just among a few handful of names that glow in this important call of discipleship.

Protestant churches while not bound to a particular order also courageously fulfill this religious call of discipleship with a variety of other charitable organizations.  Protestant denominations can also be found in missionary activity bringing the Gospel of Christ to Africa and Asia.  These pastoral services are a call of discipleship that ministers and priests cannot sometimes accomplish.  The brave souls who dedicate their life to spreading the gospel and bringing compassion to the sick on a day to day basis is a calling of finding Christ in the least of one’s brethren.  This calling also fulfills the great commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

What of the Laity?

The same vocational drive that pushes the religious is also found in the laity.  First, for most laity is the vocation of marriage.  Most are called to this discipleship.  Yet how is marriage discipleship?  One can only look at the model of the Holy Family.  The Church in miniature starts at home.  A good father and mother raising their children in the teachings of Christ is a vocation and a call to discipleship that many do not realize.  It is through the daily lives of parents whether if it is mopping the floor, doing laundry, or going to the office that one fulfills his/her vocation to Christ.  In offering their daily duty and raising their children, parents fulfill their “priestly” duties to the  church.  While they may not be giving a sermon on Sunday or visiting far away lands, these people serve the domestic church via their example.  One can no longer devalue the universal priesthood of the laity and their extreme importance to the church.  Those called to this are equally blessed by the Lord because this is what God wants of them!  These domestic priests become the first preachers of Jesus to their children and become the cornerstone of the church.
Secondly, the laity fulfill a variety of needs to the church beyond domestic house keeping.  Laity are involved at the parish or congregational level through their activities.  Some help the minister or priest with book-keeping, while others help the minister or priest with Mass or services.  Some lector, some distribute the Eucharist, some sing and others visit the sick.

Single people also represent the laity.  They share the responsibilities of the church with the married laity.  And they too are called to a discipleship of good example and worship of God.  Yet in many cases they become the most disenfranchised.  They are the least remembered but ironically the most talked about because they have not “chosen” a path or “checked” off a life achievement “box” of reaching societal norms.  However, some are called to a vocational life of prayer that does not involve either avenues of choice.  They are called instead to be helpers of their families or generous givers of their spare time to worthwhile causes.  Some singles may be called only temporarily to this life as they discern and carry their cross of loneliness or doubt, but ultimately, our Lord will lead them to a particular calling.

Do Not Fear

Spiritual advisers and spiritual mentors should gently guide their spiritual children to the will of God, but ultimately it will be God who decides when the time is right for one to determine their particular calling of discipleship.  While counselors can identify various signs within the soul and can help one see those signs, the inner calling of God and the peace of the Holy Spirit is what will eventually allow the Christian to discern his particular discipleship.  As Christ takes one hand, we must not fear what our particular calling is but accept with faith.  We are already spiritually predisposed to the calling God has given us and only by fulfilling God’s will can one experience true happiness.

Take Control of One’s Discipleship

In addition to not fearing, one needs to take ownership of one’s discipleship.  Yes, via Baptism we all take ownership as a follower of Christ, but each one of us has a particular discipleship unique to us.  One must take control of that.
In scripture, the Mother of James and John addressed Christ in regards to who will sit on his right and left in the next world.  Christ did not respond to her but turned to James and John and told them that is for the Father to determine to who will sit where.  Christ’s avoidance of their mother was not due to anger or dismal of the mother, but a statement to everyone that we must take control of our own discipleship.  We cannot forever ask others what they think , but we must eventually take our own steps and make our discipleship our own by taking it on fully.

God Chooses the Lowly

In accepting our discipleship, we can definitely feel overwhelmed and unworthy.  Many saints fled the priesthood because they feared the awesome statue of merely saying “This is My Body”, but while one should be humbled by such calls, one should also feel honored and excited that our Lord would come to us personally and ask of us certain tasks.  We should embrace these roles of discipleship that our Lord has chosen for us and encourage others to embrace their particular role.  In accepting our discipleship, we should imitate Mary, who accepted the greatest discipleship role of all time–being the vessel for the birth of our Lord.
Ultimately in the end, can we say we were as bad as Saul or Augustine?  Judge not yourself or others for what the Lord had decided to make holy.  He will make it clean and use it for his purposes.
To learn more about Christian Counseling Education, please review the program.  If you would like to learn where to take Christian Counseling courses, then please review as well.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

How Frequent Use of the Eucharist Can Help In Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Eucharist and Its Frequent Reception is Key in Counseling Spiritual Maladies

How can a counselor not recommend spiritual food for the sick?  Christian counselors should encourage the frequent reception of the Eucharist for their spiritual children to cure spiritual maladies they are treating.  In the Eucharist, Christ cures, forgives and brings new again.  The infusion of supernatural grace and actual grace to avoid temptation and sin are of instrumental value.

 Isn’t This Just a Catholic Thing?

On the contrary, this is a Christian ideal that transcends Catholicism.  The moment our Lord told his apostles at the Last Supper to do this “in remembrance of me”, he intended future Christians to break bread together for their spiritual well being.  On numerous occasions, Our Lord told his followers that they will need to eat of his flesh and drink of his blood to have life within them.  With these commands, one cannot dismiss reception of the Eucharist as a “Catholic thing” but a pivotal part of Christian life.  A pivotal part of life that not only is a social ritual for unity but also an individual experience with the Lord.  An experience that help heal spiritual maladies that plague one’s life.
Yes, obviously the Protestant Churches do not concur with the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation and even within Protestantism, there are differences among many if the Eucharist is spirituality charged or merely symbol,  but the spiritual power, even if symbolic, must carry grace.

With this in mind, can not all Christian Counselors concur that the Eucharist is an important spiritual food for their children?
From the Eucharist, whether one believes it is the body and blood of Christ or symbol, one cannot deny these advantages.
1. Christ commanded it for the spiritual survival of the soul
2. It flushes grace into the soul
3. It can give peace
4. It can give guidance
5. It can give unity
6. It can heal
7. It can protect one from evil
8. It can strengthen
So let reception of the Eucharist become a norm for Christians of all denominations.  Let all share in the unity of Christ as Jesus, the greatest counselor, comes into our souls and heals our spiritual disorders.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Courses, please review the program.  If you would like to become a certified Christian Counselor, then review as well.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C, GC-C

Training in Christian Counseling: Sacramental Life of Reception of the Spirit

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Becoming Christian Soldiers of Christ

What a difference a few weeks make?  Scattered like sheep without a shepherd, terrified of the Jews, and cowardly hiding in the shadows, the Apostles and the close Disciples of Christ emerged to the surprise of the Jews as champions and soldiers of Christ.  They triumphantly preached the Gospel, suffered, and praised the chance to bleed for Christ.  A Peter who denied Christ would proclaim Christ and a Mark who ran in shame naked and in fear away from guards in the garden would become the lion of the gospel and roar.
What changed these men?  It was not Baptism because they were already baptized.  It was not their faith because they already believed in Christ.  Ultimately it was the reception of the Holy Spirit and the gifts and fruits that are given to the soul at Confirmation.  While Protestants may cringe at the thought of Catholic Sacramentalism, I would not heed fear of this and realize that both Catholics and Protestants believe the same thing but it is shrouded in different language and hundreds of years of mistrust.
As Christian Counselors we hope to re-introduce Christ to the fallen.  We look at baptized Christians who have fallen wayside and help re-energize their spirituality.  In Protestant circles, this is referred to being “Born Again”.  The Christian again finds his love for Christ and becomes recommissioned to preach the Gospel to the world.  The Holy Spirit fills the soul with a fervent love for Christ and a fearless purpose to face the world.
Catholics too experience a “Born Again” type experience through Confirmation.  As the Apostles first received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, so again, does the Holy Spirit come to Catholics during Confirmation.  The soul is given the gifts of the Spirit and the soul is turned into soldier of Christ.  The sacramental grace that is infused into the soul helps the person face Satan, the world and to preach the Gospel in the market place.
Christian counselors should utilize the grace of the Spirit in their sessions.  Pray to the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into both of you during counseling sessions.  The session should be moved by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
If one is not experiencing this presence then what is the purpose of Christian Counseling?  Christian Counseling is ultimately an intimate dialogue between a Spiritual Mentor and his Spiritual Son.  The meeting should be filled with the Holy Spirit and the giving of graces for particular needs.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education or Training, please review the program.  Training in Christian Counseling is available for those who are qualified.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Counseling for Christians: The Dangers of Vengeance and the Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

I Thought They Said an Eye for an Eye? Christian Counseling Responses

And Christ told Peter that those who live by the sword shall die by the sword and after that, they apprehended Christ.  This story in Scripture retells the illegal arrest of Christ and how he reprimanded Peter for seeking violence.  Lost in the confusion, Our Lord gently restored an ear to the temple guard whose ear had been cut off by Peter.  This is the love Christ demands and the same demand Christian counselors must echo in their counseling services for those who are obsessed with the demon of vengeance.

Christ told everyone to love one’s enemies and in the Our Father commanded us to forgive others their trespasses if we wished to receive forgiveness for our own sins.  Yet what a 360 degree change from the Old Testament.  The words of Christ clearly state to turn the other cheek, but the words found in the Old Testament seek an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  Obviously Christ did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it and in fulfilling it, he emphasized the misinterpretation by the Jewish population of this vague quote. People thought it was a personal law that applied to them instead of being an institutional law of the state. Christ corrected and reminded them that is law was not meant at the personal level and that one is to not seek vengeance but to turn the other cheek.  The eye for an eye was merely a law found within the structure of judicial ruling.

What is Justice?

In man’s earliest existence, justice was not disturbed by a neutral and authoritative third party, but was sought by the individual.  If someone stole one’s cattle, the owner had to find compensation by taking it back within whatever measures necessary.  There was a fine line between what was justice and what was vengeance.  This “wild, wild west” mentality for cavemen created a very unstable environment for society.  Social philosophers, Hobbes and Rosseau described this era as a dangerous one.  People eventually banded together and formed “social contracts”.  Under these contracts, people banded together for security and in banding together, they designated social justice to an executive branch of authority that would preserve and enforce the laws for the individual.  Through this contract, individuals gave up their right for personal retribution and gave it to the state.
While this is merely a social explanation of the eventual civilization of man, one can see how justice against evil became a social correction and no longer an individual crusade.  One of the most compelling argument for this form of justice was that it removed emotion from the apprehension of an evil doer.  No longer would a cattle thief face the hand and the rage of the owner, but instead would face the non-subjective hands of society’s enforcers.  This removed vengeance from the equation and allowed lady liberty to wear the blind fold of objectivity.  Hence justice is a proportional virtue that gives to one what is truly his but within an acceptable way by a rightful authority blind to emotion and self interest.
Christ teaches one not to seek justice through one’s own hand but through the state.  In individual matters, we are to turn the other cheek but through the judicial process, we may seek an “eye for an eye” in regards to compensation.

The Demon of Revenge

Yet many are consumed with a passion for revenge at all costs.  Some pursuits of vengeance are trivial while others tempt many to put on a “cape and cowl” and seek justice on the streets.  Are we not rightly incensed when we see pedafiles prey upon our children or see crimes against humanity through genocide?  This is a just rage, one that our Lord does share. Good men must stand up to these atrocities or the world will burn when they do nothing, but it must be done within the will of God and through legitimate authority.
Counseling one bent on revenge is difficult.  Yet the initial emotion of  anger (even just anger) to seek out someone who has hurt someone’s family is usually like all emotions–temporary.  It may even be healthy to let off some “steam” in the safe confines of counseling.   One, however,  should monitor closely a person who shows high traces of continued rage over a course of time.   While monitoring, make risk assessments, similar to suicide assessments regarding how well thought out revenge is and if it is doable.  If you feel there is a true chance of harm to anyone, you may have to find intervention at higher levels through family, church or authorities.

Christian Counselors should offer soothing thoughts that vengeance belongs to the Lord and that his justice will be manifested especially to the unrepented.  Emphasize the beauty of the Sacred Heart who has been wounded by our sins and yet still forgives.  Also emphasize to one who is hardened with thoughts of revenge that the Sacred Heart of Jesus offers mercy to everyone. Yet remind him also, Our Lord will come as a judge one day and his mercy will not be an option for the truly evil.  In addition to this, emphasize the ideal of karma.  While a Eastern ideal, it is still true that evil actions produce evil returns.  Through these thoughts, hopefully one can defuse the emotion of personal revenge and help the person hand over their vengeance to God who is all merciful but also all just.
Ultimately, we have all had mean things done to us, some more extreme or terrible than others.  While sometimes it is emotionally healthy for us to voice it and let it out, we must realize that the negative energy of hate will consume us and destroy us.  It will drive out the charity of the Holy Spirit and allow the  devil to consume us with hate.  The evil done will  become an obsession that will eventually  lead one to demise.  How many “white whales” do we wish to kill at the expense of our own life?  Will we like Captain Ahab, lose our own life in a distorted trek for vengeance?

Again we should turn to Christ and remember that he forgives us of our sins.  Our sins crucified him and the sins committed against us, also crucified him.  Yet Christ also carries our slights from others on his shoulder and forgives them.  If Christ can forgive us, and those who have hurt us, then why can we not also say “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”

If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education, please review the program.
If you also interested in counseling for Christians, then please review the program.  Counseling for Christians is based of Christlike and biblical values.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Christian Counseling Education: Interior Castle: Meditative Classics for Christian Counselors

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

St. Theresa of Avila and the Interior Castle: Christian Meditation

Christian Counseling without meditation is like a well without water-it has no purpose.  This is why counselors should frequently seek meditation, prayer and retreats to refresh their souls and strengthen their resolve to help those in pain and mental anguish.  St. Theresa of Avila presents an excellent guide in spirituality and meditation in her classic, the Interior Castle.
The text is written in a delightful fashion by St. Theresa in a simple language.  A language that makes one feel as if she is purposely writing each word for one’s own sake.  This personal style of writing is very pleasing to read and her sanctity is felt through the words.
The primary premise of the text is the various levels of intimate union the soul can experience with God while on earth.  St. Theresa refers to these levels as mansions within the castle of the soul.  The first mansions are the entry levels into mystical union but are surrounded by the noises of the world.  As one progresses deeper into the silence of the soul, the tricks of the enemy or Satan become less influential on it.  However, the soul as it becomes more in union with God, releases a bitter sweet reality; that complete union with something so wonderful is never completed on earth.  Eventually, the presence of God becomes more constant in the soul after it passes many spiritual tests.  Although the final union and 7th mansion is incomplete, the soul accepts the reality of this earthly union, and willfully fulfils the will of God on earth until it can meet God face to face in the Beatific Vision.
A few concepts that struck me greatly included these issues.  The first issue regarded how easily the soul falls from the outer mansions to outside the castle, then back in again.  In these phases the soul struggles with the illusions of the material world and the reality of God.  I think as counselors, we come across people who are “troubled by many things” and cannot retain focus on the Lord.  The devil steals the peace of the soul and throws forth the materialisms of the world.  These distractions pull the soul back and forth between God and the world.  These souls are far from evil, but bound by their fallen nature.  Are these not our own battles?  and…are these not the majority of people we counsel?  Pay special attention to these outer mansions and utilize the knowledge of St. Theresa in helping those who need to progress deeper into their own castle.
The second concept St. Theresa emphasizes is love of neighbor.  So many contemplatives sometimes seek solitude to find Christ.  They wish not to be distracted but to solely focus on him.  St. Theresa reminds the reader that true union seeks to share Christ’s love and to find Christ in everyone.  One cannot be completely absorbed in Christ without being part of the life of the church itself.  Christian Counselors should take this to heart as well.  In counseling, we attempt to share divine wisdom and to help one’s neighbor.

Finally, from a purely Catholic perspective, but nonetheless an applicable hypothesis for non-Catholics as well, one needs to have frequent reception of the Eucharist.  Although Protestant brothers in Christ, do not believe in the true presence, they still also share in a symbolic or grace filled belief in the unitative nature of the Eucharist.  There is clearly from a minimal perspective a spiritual union.  For Catholics, this union is even more in-depth and dare I say, a free ticket to the 7th mansion which can be shared for those 15 minutes with Christ.  Counselors of any Christian denomination should take use of the spiritual nature of the Eucharist and allow the grace that accompanies it to help one spiritually re-energize and take Christ to the market place.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education, please review the program and please also, in the very least, give yourself the spiritual treasure of reading the Interior Castle.
If you would like to learn more about our Christian Counseling Education Program, then please review.
Witten By Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Program in Christian Counseling: Using the Three Evangelical Vows in Your Life

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Program in Christian Counseling: The Three Evangelical Vows

The perfection of the Christian Life has always been emphasized in Christ’s words to pick up one’s cross and to follow him.  Following him entails releasing one’s own will and ignoring the noises of the world.  Ultimately, one releases all of this world and gives oneself completely and totally to God.  Few reach this intimacy with God in this world due to the secular and materialistic temptations of this world.  However, the three evangelical vows aid greatly in the maturation of the spiritual life because it rids the soul of external distractions; distractions that pull the soul away from God.
These vows while purifying for the soul, still form a great challenge.  This can be seen in the case of the rich man and Christ.  When Christ told him that the final step to sanctity was to release his goods and to follow him, the man was troubled.  This is the case with many people who love God but have a hard time severing themselves from the world.  The fallen nature desires sex, wealth and freedom in a disproportionate fashion.  I say disproporationate sex, material possessions and freedom are not evil things in themselves but only when misused for lust, greed and selfish pursuit.  The evangelical vows are a higher calling that not only denies the flesh appropriate usage of sex, material things and freedom, but completely denies the flesh these things.  In this, a soul becomes chaste, impoverished and obedient to Christ.  Through this ultimate sacrifices, the soul can become closer to God and free from material distractions.

The most common people who take these vows are the religious.  The religious totally consecrate their lives to Christ-making Christ their spiritual spouse, Christ their lone possession, and Christ their lone master.  These standards are well documented throughout the history of Christianity when St. Anthony of the Desert first sought the solitude of the evangelical life.  However, as orders rose, communal sharing of these vows were shared with various orders such as the Benedictines, Franscians, and Dominicans to name a few.
While it is true the calling of the three vows are a high calling, one still cannot turn one’s back to society.  How can people existing in society still share in these vows or at least to some extent?  One cannot dismiss the beauty of the vocation of marriage even though one does not practice the vow of chastity.  The reality is Christ calls everyone to a special vocation and within that vocation, these three vows or ideals should be implemented as best appropriate.
So those who exist as priests, ministers, married couples, or devout singles should find value in these three vows by practicing the various virtue associated with the vow in their daily life.  For example, a married person can still practice a form of chastity via mutual self denial for a period of time, perhaps during Lent.  A single person can and should also practice chastity not only for spiritual betterment but because the commandments command so.  In regards to poverty, those who are not religious can still accumulate wealth, but that wealth should be distributed to the poor or church.  Materials and objects should be viewed as blessings but never the ultimate end.  Frequent expenditure of time and energy should be given to the poor.  Finally, obedience can be incorporated into one’s life by simply making Christ, one’s master.  By obeying the commandments, submitting one’s will to God’s will and avoiding sin, one shows obedience to Christ.

During Christian Counseling Sessions, one should emphasize ways, the secular world can incorporate the three  evangelical vows.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Education, please review the program.
Our Program in Christian Counseling can help qualified professionals receive the training they need to help counsel Christians.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Christian Counseling Certification Program: Creating Your Own Christian Counseling Blog

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Counseling Certification Program: Blogs Can Be The Voice of Your Ministry

Blogs have a big influence on people and the world today. If you desire to influence others, blogging is something that you should consider. Read the advice in this guide to learn various techniques that can help you become successful at blogging.  In addition to this, you can incorporate Christian related aspects into the blog to help spread your ministry or help educate others about your Christian Counseling Certification program.

 Avoid Ads

Ads are a key part of many blog campaigns and often bring in income. But if there are too many ads on your blog, they may turn readers off. All the ads may prompt them to seek a site that is more helpful.

When to Add Posts

Add posts often and at, or about, the same time. Your readers will learn your schedule and be waiting for new content. Readers like it when a site has structure, and they also enjoy reading new content. Have an array of topics to write about to prevent your content from seeming redundant.  In regards to our particular cliche, one would write about Christian Counseling related articles that include counseling needs but also interesting theological ideals that can be used by other counselors or pastoral care givers.

 Invite Other Bloggers

Invite other bloggers who have found success to write guest blog posts on your blog. These guest posts will mean better content for you and your readers. One good side effect of this strategy is that you’ll probably receive a traffic bump, as many bloggers link any guest posts they make to their own blogs. Get several bloggers to do this and you are on your way to blogging fame.  Incorporating other Christian ministries or theologians is a great way here to not only connect with others but to also spread the gospel.

The Modernist denies the infallibility of Scripture. Please also review AIHCP's Christian Counseling ProgramSEO Work

Ensure that keywords have been italicized and bolded. Your readers will be able to spot them more easily, and it will also improve your search ranking. When your keywords are easy to read and they stand out, you will increase the possibility that your users will click on them. Remember that this should be your goal.  Some particular reminders, if you use the word Christian Counseling, you would want to avoid over use of it.  You would want to use similar words or use Christian Counseling in a larger sentence.  Pay close attention to this blog as you read it and you will notice bolded words and words that tie to the site.
When adding links, you can tie the key word back to the home page or a particular page in question.  It is good to be diverse if you have multiple links.  The usual idea is one link per 150 to 300 words.
It is also good to curate articles from other sources.   Blog Curation of related articles gives fresh outsourced content that is up to date and relevant.  When curating or writing your own original blog, be sure to include pictures.  Pictures not only make the blog more attractive but they also help with Google rankings.
Finally, announce your blog through your current social media accounts. Request that they share the link to your blog so that you are able to gain a wider variety of readers. A personal social networking account is better so that users will know that they are dealing with a real person.  The more tweets  or comments you receive, the more value that Google gives to the article.
The tips contained in this article should be helpful for you regardless of the purpose of your blog. Use the tips which fit your needs, and keep in mind that everything you publish online will be there for eternity, so watch what you say.
If you are interested in blogging with our site, please let us know.  Again, here is our primary Christian Counseling site.
If you have any questions about our Christian Counseling Certification Program, then please let us know.

AIHCP

How A Certified Christian Counselor Can Help People Find Peace

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The Peace of God

The evil one utilizes confusion, chaos, anxiety, and uneasiness to torment the soul.  The negative energy of a situation, occasion or person can cause massive distress to the soul.  The soul as it attempts to flee is bombarded with these feelings to prevent spiritual growth and reflection.  These distractions from spiritual union with God lead the soul into a valley of tears where it focuses on meaningless things.  The soothing words of Christ are a distant echo as the soul struggles with needless things.  The focus of the soul is lost and in these cases counseling is needed sometimes to help the soul find its interior peace.
The words of Christ to Martha come to mind.  Martha was so concerned with trivial things during our Lord’s visit that she even became angry with her sister who dedicated the visit of the Lord to him only.  Christ reprimanded Martha for her frustration with her sister and told her that her sister had chosen the more important route.  How many times are we distracted by such menial things when our Lord is right before us?  How many times do we allow trivial things to upset our interior peace and allow Satan to cause distress and frustration in our daily life?
As Christians, we must retain our focus on Christ.  A Christocentric lifestyle is essential to interior peace.  This lifestyle reminds one of the insignificance of other things to the spiritual realm and how only a Christocentric lifestyle can give true peace.  While we exist in the world and commit to the daily duty and crosses that come their way, we must see their spiritual value as well.   We are as like a ship at sea amidst the turbulent sea but yet still aware of upcoming remain shoreline.  Our life on earth is full of important things but when needless things disrupt or take away from the peace of Christ, we need to regroup, refocus and find an oasis of peace in the eye of the hurricane.
The devil will attempt to disrupt this peace at all costs.  Peace is the spiritual water where virtues find their nourishment.  When peace is disrupted, virtues cannot grow and chaos and confusion sweep in harming the spiritual garden and uprooting the virtues that grow there.  It is amazing how subtle and inventive the enemy is.  How many times has our spiritual peace been disrupted by a traffic jam, long light, or inconsiderate driver?  What of individuals?  While Christian charity is always important, Christ does not expect us to deal or accompany individuals who corrupt our peace despite all our efforts to rescue them.  What of our daily duties?  Do we allow our crosses which are gifts to perfect us to become curses that corrupt us?    So many times, impatience leads one to anger and one’s peace is disrupted and frustrated.
For those who have found inner levels of peace and abide in the deeper mansions of the soul (St. Theresa of Avila), peace can still be stolen by the enemy.  How many are tormented with the littlest deviation from the will of Christ to the point it becomes an obsession to never fall or sin.  Instead of professing hope and faith in Christ, some religious become scrupulous and obsessive about every small action they commit and in this way the evil one steals the very peace our Lord is giving them.
With these things in mind, a Certified Christian counselor can see the dangers that chaos and confusion has in the inner life of their spiritual children.  One should identify the chaos and confusion that exists within the problem and find remedy for that chaos.  Spiritual prayer and meditation that brings peace should be utilized in sessions to help calm the inner anxieties of the soul.

So many times we lose our focus and take our eye off the ball.  When we see ourselves losing track of the finish line, we should ask ourselves does this particular incident affect our overall goal of salvation?  Are we merely children playing with our rattles, unaware of the splendor and joys outside our play pen or crib?  I suggest we put down our “spiritual rattles” and not be consumed with such infantile concerns and maintain our focus on Christ as did Mary, the sister of Martha.
May the peace of our Lord be with you this day.
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling Program, please click here.
If you are interested to learn how to become a Certified Christian Counselor, then please review the program.  For those who wish to learn how to become a Christian Counselor, one will find the information needed.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Counseling for Perfect Contrition of One’s Sins and How to Become Certified in Christian Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

When Contrition Becomes Perfect

The state of contrition in which the soul no longer fears punishment but is genuinely hurt by the simple fact sin offends God is called perfect.  This form of perfect contrition does not come naturally but only through a relationship with Christ.  This relationship seeks out Christ for his own sake.   In seeking out Christ, a dualistic relationship forms between the soul and Christ.  First a relationship that acknowledges Christ as its king.  Christ is seen as part of the Trinity, and as that, the Creator of the universe.  In this regard, the soul trembles in holy fear of offending so awesome a Being and King.  While initially this contrition is of fear, it can also be of a loving fear that one would offend one’s holy Majesty via sin.
Yet beyond the grand image of God as the uncaused cause or as an omnipotent and omniscient being that we should tremble before, Christ allows a second relationship to develop that involves a real personal relationship.  It reveals the fatherhood of the 1st Person and the brotherhood the human nature of Christ bestows upon us.  In this personal relationship, God interacts with us as a being that can be hurt.  Before, the Incarnation, God could only be “offended” via the injustice of sin, but through the incarnation, God can now suffer and be affected by our actions.  In this, our love becomes deeper and more personal and the contrition likewise becomes more personal.  Through our sins, we are now hurting God who has put on flesh to save us.  God feels rejection and abandonment through the Incarnation and opens his loving and sacred heart to us.  As in all loving relationships, the gift of love involves risk because it opens oneself to hurt and betrayal.  When we sin, we hurt and betray our Lord.  Through our sins, we scourge him.  Through our sins, the weight of the cross becomes unbearable and finally through our sins, we nail him to the cross.
When one experiences sorrow and pain after sinning because they realize they are crucifying Jesus, then they experience perfect contrition.  In this contrition, the person furthermore hopes to never sin again and also finds a deep pain when they see others offend God.
As union becomes more intimate with the Divine, these secrets are more perfectly revealed and as the soul exits the embrace of its beloved, the soul mourns the sins of the world as if pierced itself.  The love can become so burning that the soul wishes to suffer anything it can in union with Christ for reparation.
This intensive union brings the soul to states of happiness but also intense sadness. This union comes with its scars especially in a fallen world.  Unable to be completely absorbed via the beatific vision, the soul can still experience separation from the beloved and also feel the pain the smallest sin can cause God.  In this way, those who experience perfect contrition and form a higher union with God become pilgrims in a vast wasteland.  However, they find great joy in this journey because they realize they can help bring others to love God and offer up their own trials as well.
As counselors, we can always encourage perfect contrition via pious writings about the passion of our lord or reflections on sacred images that depict Christ’s death.  One should also encourage those who are struggling with temptation to imagine the face of Christ being slapped every time they enter into a sinful action.  Some fear temptation so much, that they would wish Christ to completely remove the occasion or temptation but it is through one’s victories over temptation that one gives Christ the greatest joy and satisfaction.  When one falls, they must get up again and offer tears and sorrow to their best friend and God.  Religious counselors need to emphasize this type of sorrow to their spiritual children who have offended God.

In conclusion, What is true love for God?  Imagine if you had a friend who was about to do something for you that would cost him everything.  His love for you is so great he will risk it all, but as a friend, you block his path and forbid him to carry on in this endeavor.  So should be the love one has for Christ when reflecting on his suffering.  While always grateful of the redemption and knowing we need it to be saved and share heaven with our beloved, can we honestly say to Christ, as he sweats blood in the garden, to “walk away” because we cannot bear the thought of one we love to die such a way—even though it will cost us everything?  If we could say that, then we truly understand love.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Courses, please click here.
If you are also interested in how to become certified in Christian Counseling, then please review the program.
The process to on how to become certified in Christian Counseling is a simple process that involves completing the core courses.  After completion of those courses, those seeking to learn how to become certified in Christian counseling can become eligible.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C