Christian Spiritual Counseling

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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

Certified Biblical Counselors Need to Emphasize the Forgivenss and Mercy of God

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

God’s Forgiveness Is Infinite And Counseling Should Emphasize That

“Lord forgive them for they know not what they do” echo in history as the most merciful prayer a man can give to his persecutors.  Of course, Christ was not only man, but also God.   From these words, we can conclude the mercy of Christ is beyond the depths of the sea and more infinite than the stars of the night sky.
The whole of the Trinity and within in each distinct person exists a perfect love that emits forgiveness for any who seek it.  The history of God’s forgiveness is traced through the Torah as God forgives Adam to the last days of Israel.  His forgiveness only needed to be sought to be found.
In the New Testament, the 2nd Person becomes flesh not only to love us more intimately but to redeem us from sin.  Not only does God forgive us for our sins but sacrifices himself on the cross via Christ.  This is beyond forgiving but actually suffering the offense that one forgives.
Hence it is a great insult to our Lord when one falls into the depths of despair and hides from God’s love.  Yes the shame and guilt of hurting someone we love should sadden our heart.  It should also make us feel extremely guilty that our sins have slapped Christ in the face.  Yet despair, especially that of Judas, insults the great mercy Christ has for his children.  Instead, no matter our offense, we should seek contrition and forgiveness as Peter did, weeping bitterly yet understanding the infinite depth of mercy Christ has for us.  In time, we too will be able to offer up reparation for the one we love so greatly, Jesus.
When dealing with those in despair it is important to note that these poor souls are truly saddened by their sin but their sadness prevents them from seeing the love of God.  Whether it is pride to seek forgiveness, lack of self-worth, or lack of hope in God, one must realize that the whispers of Satan are preventing them from finding reconciliation with God.  Religious counselors  should work through this psychological barrier and open the hearts of those in despair to Christ’s mercy.
In place of the deceiver’s whispers, Certified Biblical Counselors and Christian counselors should remind people of God’s great love in the story of the Prodigal Son or the mercy Christ offers in Reconciliation to those who seek his mercy and love.  The reality of God’s love is so simply yet terrifying.   As creatures, God invites us into his heavenly palace.  There we should tremble before the Creator of the Universe, yet in the same breathe, our Heavenly Creator greets us as a loving father who allows us to run and play in his Imperial Palace without fear of rebuke.  How wonderful to know that such a powerful being is also so merciful and giving!

One prayer that is extremely beneficial for those who seek mercy is the Chaplet of Mercy.  In a vision, Christ recommended that during the hour of his passion, 3 PM, that this prayer be recited by the faithful.  Christ proclaimed in this vision that he is a God of great compassion and mercy and he is most willing to bestow his mercy upon any who comes before him.   As a God that is all powerful, he is also all forgiving and as his power is unlimited, so is his forgiveness.
In the Chaplet of Mercy, this beautiful prayer is recited:
“Our Eternal Father, we offer the body and blood, soul and divinity, of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and the sins of the world”.
Following this is a repetitive prayer that is recited over fifty times.  This prayer simply recycles the phrase, “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world”.
During the vision, Christ warned that during this period of time his mercy is free flowing for all, but one day he will return as a God of judgment.  He implored that we all take advantage of his great love for us.
In conclusion, I would like to share a story that I feel should overwhelm one in understanding the mercy, love and forgiveness Christ has for one.  The legend says that St Peter upon escaping the prison of Rome was fleeing the city to its outskirts when he came upon a vision of his Master, Jesus.  Christ told Peter that he needed to return to Rome and face his martyrdom.  If he did not, Christ said he himself would again be crucified for his people.  As the story concludes, Peter immediately returned to Rome and was crucified upside down since he felt unworthy to be crucified as his Master was.  Whether this apparition was legend or fact, it does portray the truth that Christ’s love is so great and his forgiveness so infinite that he would do anything for us.  In this regard, one should find greater shame in despair than in the sin that we committed.  Through this love and mercy, we in turn should seek to avoid sin at all costs.
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling program, please click here.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Christian Fatherhood

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

A Christian Father Teaches and Guides His Children with Love and Patience

The beauty of Fatherhood is celebrated in June in a day of thanksgiving to all living and deceased fathers.  While some may have little memories of their father or may have not had the blessing of a good father and role model in their life, the ideals of what a father should be is clearly listed within the Christian tradition.  A father while always the disciplinary is also the protector, provider and teacher of the Christian family.  Yet within this profound vocational call, a true father does no rule with fear but respect as he gently teaches and guides his children with a tender love and patience.  With the strength and power of a lion, a Christian father also possesses the most meek and tender touch and love for his children.
The Christian father’s ultimate paradigm is St. Joseph, who protected and provided for the Holy Family.  In Christ’s early years, he was the standard and role model for the human nature of Christ to emulate and imitate.  No man has ever been called to a greater honor than St. Joseph.  It was to St. Joseph the task to mentor the young Christ in the ways of the temporal world.  While little is mentioned in Scripture of Joseph’s and Jesus’ relationship, we can with certitude believe that it was a model father and son relationship.  Of course, Joseph’s was not the biological father of Christ, but this does not take away from his fatherhood of Jesus.

Jesus’ divine Father was not the biological father of Christ either but a symbolic relation between the Father and Son found in the Holy Trinity.  Yet, again, Christian Fatherhood finds another paradigm in God the Father.  Through the analogy of  fatherhood, the love of the Creator is shown to mankind.  God the father, as father of Israel, guided, taught and loved his children.  As a father, he also on numerous times reprimanded his sinful children, but his love was so great that he would not leave his children to die but would send the 2nd Person of the Trinity and die for his own children.  Of course it was not the 1st Person who died on the cross, but since the substance of God is shared equally between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we can say God did die for his children on the cross.   With such love, does a father love his own children!
Jesus also taught that it is through himself that we may know the Father.  The idea of the 1st Person as a father was emphasized by Christ.  Only three times in the Old Testament is God referred as a father but in the New Testament, the 1st Person is referred to father over two-hundred times.  Jesus refers to his father as “Abba” which in Aramaic means father, or more closely translated, “daddy”.  Through this teaching, Christ wanted mankind to know that God is a father.  While God is still an omnipotent being and the creator of the universe, he still wanted people to approach God as a child.  It is truly amazing to think that Christ would reveal the great Majesty and King, as also our Father.    This did not mean we should not bow and worship the most Omnipotent One, but it does show that his love for us is so great that he sees us as children and not subjects.  This is fatherhood–authority with love.
The best way Christ illustrated the fatherhood of God over his creation was in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Here we find an ungrateful son, who spurns his father, wastes his inheritance and begs for his father’s forgiveness.  As we all know in the story, the father embraces his son, dresses him in the finest linens, slays the fatten cow and has a great celebration that his son returned.  In this story, one can see the true love and mercy a father shows his children.  The love a father shows to his children is one embedded with power but yet also mercy.

I would like to close with one last aspect regarding the fatherhood of God but in relation to God’s fathership with Christ.  While this closing segment is less pastoral and more theological, I think it is important to understand.  While we cannot look at Christ as two separate individuals, but one person, sometimes it is good to analyze the components of Christ.  First, Christ as God is only Son in relation to the Father. Christ as a co-sharer in the divine nature, the ideal of fatherhood and sonhood is relational and analogous.  The human nature of Christ, however, is a unique situation where a created person with his own soul was fused to the 2nd Person of the Trinity.  In this regard, within the Hypostatic Union of Christ, there truly does exist a fatherhood and sonhood.  I find this very beautiful and in this way, Christ shares his father with us.
Happy Fathers day and may all fathers emulate the values of true fatherhood that is found in our God, and in St. Joseph.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling training, please click here.

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

Christian Counseling Certification

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

What Can You Do With A Christian Counseling Certification?

As a Christian therapist, I see all sorts of people with a variety of issues in my practice. I operate out of a large church that has therapy programs available to their congregation and outside individuals. This particular church I have worked out of for over ten years. I love my work and can not imagine doing anything else. When I went to college, I majored in psychology and then obtained a christian counseling certification. This degree and certification allows me to work with Christians who for whatever reason have decided to seek out therapy. Some people may want to work on their marriage, others may have addictions, while some may have weight issues or anxiety. Whatever the situation, I always take a non-judgmental approach and use therapy along with their faith to try to help them. It really makes my day when I am told after therapy that I have saved a marriage or helped a person struggling with an addiction to see what they need to do.

Christian Spiritual Counseling: The Body’s Role in the Eschatological State of Existence

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Christian Spiritual Counseling: Care and Respect of the Body

For too long the body has become a second rate citizen to the soul in the nature of man.  Is it not understood that without the body, there could be no soul?  At the moment of conception, the creation of the body is fused with the touch of God to form human nature: both body and soul.  We are not angels or pure spirit but matter and spirit; man.  Religious counseling and sermons for too long has emphasized an exaggerated importance of the soul over the body.
It is true that the soul possesses the intellect and will and proceeds to the next eschatological state before the body, but this is not a natural transition, but due to sin, death is ripping apart our nature.  In no way did God desire for body and soul to be separated.

So, the body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit, deserves more than just merely the title of a noble vessel for the soul, but an equal partner in human nature!  Some will object and say, it is better for one to lose material things for spiritual gains.  This is true.  This, however, in no way means that the body is inferior.  It merely means, due to this fallen temporal reality, spiritual things are the more important  blessings that our soul and body should seek and practice.  However, the soul and body have difficulty practicing these virtues due to the scars of sin.  The temporal fallen nature of our body is at war with the soul and the soul is at war with the body.  Ill formed wills lead the body into lustful sins and the body and its concupscient needs pressure the soul.  In the eschatological reality, body and soul will be in harmony and such things will cease to exist.

The Resurrection Proved the Equality of the Body to the Soul as an Integral Part of Human Nature

So in addition to proclaiming the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, where do I dare assert its equality to the soul in the partnership of human nature?  The Resurrection shows that the body is as important as the soul in defining human nature.  Christ’s body was reunited with his soul after his death.  The body, however, was not limited to the temporal reality but possessed a glorified state that God originally designed and intended.  Granted the divine nature of 2nd Person gave powers never seen to a temporal body such as Christ, but after Christ’s resurrection, his body became glorified.  So glorified, that in certain instances, he was not even recognized by his own disciples.
This glorified body will be the perfect compliment to the soul and will refuse our human nature after death.  As if Adam had never fallen, we will gain the sweet reward of living a good temporal life in the eschatological era where the body and soul are in perfect harmony.
This was even again asserted beyond the Resurrection.  Christ, when he ascended into Heaven, Forty days after his Resurrection, did not merely spiritually ascend, but his soul in perfect union with his body, ascended into the Heavens and there remains with him to this day.  So, as scripture says, those who die in Christ, will also rise in Christ and our same physical bodies will share in the eternal bliss of Heaven.

Some contend that the glorified body will be different in substance.  I contend that is not true.  I contend that the same body that lived and died on this earth will also rise.  The same cells, the same organs will be revitalized in Christ but in a glorified form.  I say this with confidence because Christ himself showed Thomas the wounds of his passion after his resurrection.  It was indeed the same body but glorified.
There is much to be said about the theology of the body, Pope John Paul II wrote extensively on the subject in regards to the qualities of the glorified body and what it is capable of experiencing.  I highly recommend reading this material but would like to delve into another direction; A direction with some pastoral counseling elements on death and dying and the happiness one experiences in heaven.  Please keep in mind, these are merely theological speculations that can really never have any verification since death and heaven are the greatest mysteries.  One can only with certainty exclaim that the next reality is beyond our reason and expectations of joy.  Nevertheless, I will attempt to theorize on the moment of death and what our loved one’s experience at that moment.

From various testimonies regarding near death, many remark about the light and the love that is transmitted by God.  I would like to talk more about the state of the body since this article deals primarily with how the body and soul will refuse in the next life.  As death slowly pulls the soul from the confines of its mate and partner, the body, human nature experiences an unnatural state due to the sin of Adam.  In this state, the union of body and soul, equal partners in human nature, are separated and torn apart.  Yet in that moment of time, the soul says farewell to its friend and (hopefully) is welcomed by its creator.  The union that so many mystics attempt to only taste but a few seconds in this world and yet still imperfectly is experienced by the soul in a moment of eternity.  The Beatific Vision is given to the soul and the soul is filled with so much happiness and love that if it was a cup it would overflow with water.  In fact the soul can experience no more happiness than it does or it would cease to exist.  This alone would be substantial in itself for complete and utter happiness, but what of the body?
From a temporal reality, which we experience, there exists a linear mode where past, present and future confine our minds.In this mode of existence,  the body of the deceased has been buried and it lays in the grave awaiting the general resurrection, serving its time for the sin of Adam. Yet, as stated earlier, the soul is not the only element of human nature.  The body is not a shell as Plato would contend, but is an integral part of human nature.  Where is the body’s reward?  We know that reward will come but the body must wait, as Christ himself waited three days for his own body to reunite with the soul.  This is experienced by all temporal creatures.
Yet, from a Thomistic thought process, how can something experience fulfillment if itself is not complete?  If something does not fulfill its end then it is incomplete.  How can human nature fulfill its end if separated, even if the soul banquets in the presence of the Most Holy Trinity?  As I said, I am sure, if my theory to be explained is wrong, that the presence of God would suffice but I do believe there is more to this.
The problem lies in our conception of time.  Unlike some modern theories that attempt to imprison God in time, the reality is God exists outside of the vacuum of time.  He exists in the eternal now where past, present and future exist together.  When the soul is joined with the divine, it too shares in but a glimpse of perfect eternity.  How, I cannot explain, nor can I conjecture how existence will be like in such a vacuum of perfect bliss, but I will attempt to theorize one element.
As those we love pass away, we express our grief in tears.  We hold their hand as they let go of their last breath and gently kiss their forehead and whisper goodbye.  As their soul leaves the broken and aged body, they go to the light of Christ, to be welcomed by the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Virgin, the Angels, the saints and loss relatives of the past.  What if you were there too?

How can this be?  Well, first lets leave this limited finite thinking process of time.  Second, lets assume, the soul lives in a moment of eternity after its death with God where linear time no longer exists.  If so, the soul, while imprinted with memories of how loved ones prayed for him at his funeral or how life on earth continued after his death, would exist in a perfect now with God that is void of time. In addition to the Beatific Vision, the refusing of his nature has already taken place and everyone or everything he has ever loved is with him.  This is perfect happiness that is not limited by a tearing of one’s nature or worry of one’s loved ones who still struggling on earth.
What I am attempting to say is, while in the temporal reality, time has elapsed, the deceased has fast forwarded to a point where everything has been accomplished and his body has been restored to him in the eschatological life.  While imprinted with what has happened, the deceased experiences only the ever present (due to union with God) and shares in a whole human nature and the love of his family with no separation anxiety of body and soul or family.
While I still completely contend that it is possible the soul could exist in a linear existence even after death awaiting the end of the world to occur, I do like the possibility of after death, awakening in the abode of Christ with one’s glorified body and all one’s family (past, present and future) gently welcoming one to Heaven.
Anything is possible, but in all reality, I am sure God has something even better planned.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Courses for Certification, please click here.
Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Christian Counseling Program for Certification: Lack of Faith in the Christian Home

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Lack of Faith in the Modern World: Why?

Lack of faith in the modern world has allowed agnostic and atheistic idealology to creep into the homes of many so called Christians.  Counselors will see many Christians give allegiance to many non-Christian ideals and pick and choose various Christian dogmas that best fit their tailor made faith.  These cafeteria Christians live according to their will not that of the Father’s will.   This form of lukewarm Christian is best seen at Easter or Christmas, where they emerge out of their year long slumber and wear their best suit for one Sunday.
In addition to this spiritual sloth, one can also see in the Christian Church, “Sunday” only Christians, who recite ritual and mundanely receive the Eucharist without spiritual zeal or excitement.  The remaining week is indulged in secular activities without little thought of God.
These two type of homes are a haven and breeding pool for future agnostics and atheists.  The parents, the first educators of their children, have spiritually neglected their children’s spiritual life and allowed it to become stagnant.  In some cases, the children are not even baptized.  Even if baptized, the children do not learn about the faith, pray as a family, or discuss the bible.  Their faith becomes an empty ritual.
As these children become older, they become prey to future atheists, agnostics or moral

subjectivists who prey upon the weak spiritual foundation that was set by the parents.
This lack of installation of faith is a grave sin and parents will face God with reward or punishment in the next life in regards to how they taught their children about God.  Hence, it is extremely important for Christian Counselors to encourage parents to make their family active in the life of the church.  Parents should fulfill spiritual duties and encourage prayer life at home and bring God into the home.  Sacred images in the home, family prayer, bible reading, and even weekly mass or services should become the family norm.
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling Program for certification, please review it.

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

Counseling Against the Occasion of Sin

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Counseling For Permanent Solutions

As is the case in all recovery from physical and addictive substances, vice and sin are no different.  A recovering sinner obsessed with a particular habitual vice has a long and hard road ahead of himself.  While the penitent has made the personal decision to change his lifestyle, he still has a rough road of change.  When Christian Counseling these individuals, one must be patient and encouraging to the efforts and trials this person will attempt to overcome.
The removal of occasions of sin are the pivotal part in helping someone gain spiritual freedom.  Satan does not wish to relinquish his control and will become noisy again in the life of the penitent.  His quiet days are over as he realizes the change of the person’s life.  Satan can no longer be quiet but will hope to disrupt the conversion process and impede virtuous practice with an array of spiritual temptations.  One who is recovering from a particular vice such as lust, must earnestly try harder to remove temptation via prayer, confession and reception of the sacraments.
However, one plays into the hands of Satan, when one purposely places himself into temptation filled situations.  Again the example of lust portrays excellent examples.  The penitent who is attempting to live a virtuous life places himself in great spiritual harm by going to bars and other lustful places, or involving himself with sexual individuals who will gladly perform sexual favors.  These occasions of sin can cause relapse or destroy the conversion process completely.
Yet as a counselor, one must show patience with their spiritual children.  As one falls, one must again get up.  As one returns with remorse, the counselor cannot condemn, but aid the person to find greater strength.  The person already realizes the  perils and dangers of his spiritual life, he does not need condemnation but charity and guidance.  Through continued prayer and good works, eventually the tide can be turned.  Keep in mind, as stated earlier, recovering from a vice is much like recovering from an addiction.  In which case, even culpability is lessened even if occasional relapse occurs.
In many instances, the penitent cannot escape the gravitational pull of the vice.  In this regard, while prayer and the sacraments strengthen the soul, one should admit the vulnerability of self and the lost nature of all souls without grace.  While overcoming temptation proves merit in battle, in may be worthwhile to pray that God removes the temptation from the person’s life.  Here the elimination of occasion of sin is imperative in the early stages of recovery.  The person’s spiritual immune system to the vice is so weakened that the smallest whisper of Satan can confuse and cause an incident of relapse.
It is important for all Christians to take into account a spiritual inventory of their life and recall all their acquaintances, places of interest and possessions that are directed away from God.  These things deviate the soul from holiness and prevent the soul from progressing spiritually.  It is even more true in the earliest stages of a soul’s spiritual renaissance that it will encounter the venomous vipers of the world that dig and pull at the soul from continuing its spiritually towards God.  St. Theresa of Avila, prudently points this out in her classic work, “The Interior Castle”. In this work,  she speaks of the illusions of the world and how they attempt to pull the soul away from its journey to God.  Only through time and closer union to God, does the soul soon break free from these parasitical vices of the world that hope to suck the grace and life of the soul.
In conclusion, I think it is prudent to bear attention to Matthew 7:6 where Scripture states not to give pearls to swine who will trample over one’s gifts, or to give to the dogs what is sacred.  Instead we are to share our lives with people who will also love us and share in the good news of Christ.  In the end, when one lives one’s faith among those who hold the faith with contempt, it is the virtuous who usually fall into sin and follow the ways of the unfaithful.
If you are interested in Christian Spiritual Counseling Courses for certification, please review the program.

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