Christian Conversations

This is something I have been thinking about for a while now and I think I’m ready to put it out there. I’d like to practice active listening skills, and I also like to talk about Jesus. Even though I’m not seeking a full-time ministry position, I still want to be active in the church and still want to minister to those who are in need. The way I’d like to go about that is by having Christian Conversations with anyone who needs to talk out a struggle they may be having in their life, or who needs to talk through a Biblical concept they are having trouble understanding.

This idea may sound a bit abstract, because it is! I’ll use the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” method to try and explain it a little better.

Who

Really, this is for anyone. Having a struggle you want to talk about in a non-judgmental setting? Is there a passage you want to explore but don’t have a place to discuss it or a person to discuss it with? Maybe you’re having a faith crisis and just need to talk about it? Want to talk about a praise you want to share? Or maybe you just want to talk about Jesus, the Father, the Holy Spirit, or anything else related. You’re who I want to have a conversation with.

What

First, I think I need to define what it is not. This idea is not clinical in any way. If you’re having a mental health struggle or crisis, I suggest you seek a professional counselor or therapist. I will be happy to help you find a professional in your area, but I am not licensed or equipped to help with any clinical mental health issues.

Ok, so what is it then? Basically you talk, and I listen. I’d like to help you as you dive in and talk through whatever spiritual problem that is on your mind. This is not a bid to convert anyone to a different way of belief, but to help you get to the heart of what is causing your spiritual pain or frustration. I’m cautious and don’t really want to call this Christian counseling, I think of it more like Christian coaching.

When

In the evenings, for 50 minutes to an hour. Similar to a counseling or coaching appointment.

Where

Zoom or a similar video platform. We could have a phone conversation, but I’d rather have a face to face conversation if at all possible. If you’re in my local area I’m sure we could meet for coffee and have a chat.

Why

I want to help people! I’m not in full-time ministry anymore, but I still want to answer the call that we as Christians are called to do, that is to minister to each other. While this concept isn’t “full-time ministry”, I do hope that I will have some great conversations. I’d love to become so busy that it turns into a full-time, “pay the bills” ministry work. But for now, this is just something I want to do in some spare evenings to help people and help the church.

I also want to practice skills such as active listening and goal setting. These skills aren’t necessarily clinical in nature, but are a big part of what a counselor would be using in session. But we won’t be applying them to mental health issues, but spiritual health issues.

How

You talk to me, tell me what is on your mind and maybe what you want to accomplish or how I can help you. I’ll urge you to keep digging and help you to better understand the nature of your spiritual struggle. I’ll ask you questions to help you think from a different perspective. We can have the scriptures open as we talk, or we can just talk about concepts and principles. Unlike clinical counseling where the counselor is a listener only, if you’d like I can offer my knowledge and can suggest scriptures that may help clarify things. But only if you ask, I’ll be keeping my mouth shut – for the most part.

One more thing to note. I’ll not be keeping any session notes on file. Since this isn’t clinical, nothing is protected by HIPAA or any other type of legal protections, so I won’t keep anything in writing. However, I will have to report to authorities if I hear of any harm done or serious threat of harm to oneself, or to any other person.

Having said all that, I think these scriptures sum up all that I want to accomplish. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15. And, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17.

Let me know if you’d like to have a Christian Conversation or if you have any questions.

Life Comes At You Fast!

That is a very true statement. Life came at us fast and our family is having to make some changes. We left Texas at the very end of 2020 and moved to Tennessee where I began serving as the youth minister at a congregation in Madison. Ten months later, the day before my 40th birthday no less, I was let go from that position.

We promised our children this would be our last move, that we’re in our permanent home, and we intend to keep that promise. You see, between my Air Force career and serving in ministry my daughter has had to move during the school year three times, and my son twice. This move was particularly hard on him. I have no desire to put my family through another move, especially when we haven’t been in our current house for even a year yet.

I’m not looking for another ministry position, for several reasons, but a big one is it would likely require us to move again. My long term goal is to work as a counselor/therapist, but I am in graduate school working on my education so I can eventually gain licensure to become a counselor. My only recent marketable skills are rather niche in nature being ministry, military intelligence, and aircraft maintenance. Any of my past computer technology and web development skills are out of date. So I am searching for non-clinical positions within the mental health field. I’ve been applying to intake coordinator, case manager, or similar positions in the areas surrounding White House, TN.

Please keep us in your prayers, thoughts, and vibes as we navigate this situation. And please let me know if you have any non-clinical mental health open positions. Thank you!

My Name is on the Mailbox – Happy Monday

An Election Eve Prayer

Today is November 2nd, 2020. Tomorrow the leader of our country will be elected. It will be an eventful day. As we say goodnight to this day, here are where my thoughts are. This is my prayer for tomorrow and the coming days.

Father in Heaven, I pray and ask that you be with our country and all the wonderful people who make it what it is. Your strength will be very needed by so many of us.

I pray…

That the right person is elected. Your will may not always be done by whoever is in leadership, but you are in control. I don’t know why you do the things that you do, but please let us all accept your guidance, Father. Let us all accept the outcome and support who you have allowed to lead on this earth.

That whoever our President elect is tomorrow, that his administration is blessed. That he is able to accomplish much for our country and her people. I pray that our President succeeds in his endeavors, because his failures will ultimately also be my failures.

That love rules the day. We may not all see eye to eye, we may not agree with each other… Father, we may not even like each other. But let us all love each other as Jesus showed us how to do. His apostles didn’t all get along, and were on separate ends of the political spectrum – but they turned the world upside down for you. Let us love like they did, and make this world a better place for it.

That there is peace. I pray there will be no riots, no violence, and no hatred. If some individuals incite rioting and violence, I pray that the innocent escape harm, and that fair justice is served on those who are not innocent.

Father, I know that my words cannot change the world, but Jesus can. Let the Spirit guide us, and show us all how to live like true children of the King. Let us also remember that this world is not our home! We may hold citizenship as Americans on this planet, but our focus, our greater calling, our ultimate and first allegiance is in Heaven.

Its through your son, Jesus, name I pray all these things. Let the church together say…

Richie Reads: “Whoever You Are”, by Mem Fox

Today we read “Whoever You Are”, by Mem Fox and illustrated by Leslie Staub. We sing “Jesus Loves Me”, and “Open My Heart”.

Please send your requests and suggestions for songs and stories and any questions or comments to richie.anderson@alvinwestsidechurch.com.

Westside Church of Christ:
http://alvinwestsidechurch.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WestsideChurchofChristAlvinTX
http://www.youtube.com/WestsideChurchofChrist

Just Show Up!

If you haven’t noticed, there is a lot happening in our world today. This year (2020) has been a doozie so far, hasn’t it?! Corona Virus has had us shut up in our houses for weeks, a man named George Floyd was murdered by a police officer, rioting and looting have been going on all across the country…

I promise, this blog isn’t trying to depress you or be political. One thing I know for a fact is that YOU have a friend – whether or not they live next door, across town, across the country, or they’re virtual friends on social media – who has been affected in some way by 2020’s disasters. Maybe they or one of their family members has had COVID-19, and maybe they have been hospitalized or their family members have died. Maybe your friend is a person of color and they feel deeply impacted by the incident in Minneapolis and the resulting violent and destructive actions of a few people. Maybe you aren’t affected by these events, but you don’t to look far to find someone who has been.

Now, I’m not asking you to agree with me or with your friends. But I am asking you to have some empathy, compassion, and love toward them. Just show up for them! You don’t need to fix them, or say profound words or make a profound Facebook post. Just let them know you’re there.

Job went through a terrible loss. He lost all of his children and all of his possessions. He was known to be a very, very good man. In Job 2:11-13. his friends hear about his loss and they go to him. They see his suffering and cry for and with him. Then in verse 13, “… they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.” They didn’t say anything! They just sat in silence with Job for a week!

They did eventually open their mouths and talk. That is where they messed up.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

Just show up, and shut up.

 

 

My First Photography Print Sale!

I don’t know how customary, or even if its very professional, to celebrate your first sale on your blog – but here we are. I made my first sale! And I’m pretty excited about it.

The prints are Sunset over the Gulf, and Mono Lake. Mrs. Martha, I hope they are a great addition to you home!

Photography Etsy Store Update

My Etsy store still has the same four photos, but I changed them from digital downloads to 8×10 prints. The store got a lot of views very quickly, but no sales on the downloads. I can’t complain, I’m not sure that I would want to buy a JPEG file either, I’d rather have a print that has been signed by the artist.

Have you been successful in selling your prints? Can you share some pointers and take aways? Have you sold any other form of artwork online? Are you successful in selling on Etsy in general? What has made you successful?

Thanks everyone, have a good one!

 

Grow Through What You Go Through

This has been a tough few weeks for everyone! Let’s try to learn something from it.

Getting back into Photography

I used to be really into photography. Like, I wanted to go to college for fine art and make a living shooting portraits, weddings, and selling landscapes. But, as life goes things change. But, I have been doing a lot of video work in my ministry while we haven’t been able to meet in person due to COVID-19 measures, and it has sparked my interest again.

I’d like to do some free sessions with a few families and individuals to get back into the swing of things. My overall goal is to have fun, but help while I’m doing that. Since photography isn’t my main income source, I’d like to keep costs low for families who can’t afford a high end photographer. Also to help young or new professionals with headshots, or maybe new makeup artists with their first few shoots.

I’m also looking into selling some of my better landscape and scenery photos. I started an Etsy shop to explore this possibility. Right now I’m only offering digital downloads on three images until I find a print service I trust and that is affordable but good quality. And shipping, I have no idea how to handle shipping.

If you have a few minutes, please take a look at the Etsy shop, https://richieandersonphoto.etsy.com. And if you have any recommendations on a printer, I’d like to hear about it. And any help on shipping would be welcome!