Chris Burkmenn's Blog

One of the most encouraging verses to me is Jeremiah 29:11. At my lowest points I always refer to this verse. It gives me hope. I calms my soul. Most importantly it changes my perspective. I think in all times we must remember that it is not in God's plan to harm us. He loves us unconditionally and nothing we could ever do will change that plan. It's the enemy who comes to seek, kill, and destroy. Not our heavenly Father. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 I love that our God is so good!! Know that today whatever you are going through God has you in the palm of his hand! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16 Even though I may not know everyone who reads this blog, I believe in the greatness in every single one of you. @chrisburkmenn

My family to me represents strength, endurance, love, and compassion. Our solid rock Jesus Christ has done a work in us and continues daily. This picture to me represents a many number of things, but when I look at it I see that we are unbroken. The enemy may have tried to shake us, but at the end of the day we are stronger than ever. The heart of my father inspires me daily. It motivates and drives me. My Dad has worked so hard to provide for my family and it is truly a testament. This photo was taken on Thanksgiving at the St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade.  The smiles in this photo are genuine and authentic together as a family giving thanks for all that we have and all that we will have. As our family grows and one day when we marry and bring childeren into this world I will have learned everything I know from these times. The Holiday represent so many things to me and I am thankful that I share life with the amazing people in this photo. I love you with all of my heart!

As we begin our celebration of Thanksgiving, the travels to our cities or by staying where you are. The eager anticipation of being with loved ones. The feeling of gratefulness for what we have as it floods your soul. Soon coming together at the table and sharing the blessed meal, turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, and gravy. Let us not forget the amazing pies that will be consumed. We should be in a life of Thanksgiving. Counting the wonderful blessings in our life. The air I breathe, the eyes I see with. Thank you Lord for the ability of speech. Let the thankfulness go through the year and not ended after one day. We have so much to be thankful for! As the Christmas season approaches and we all begin to spend remember the best present of that we can give is time. Time is something that we can not use it again whether it is with a loved one or serving. Whatever you decide to do with it spend it wisely.  Remember, you can earn more money, but when time is spent it's gone fore

Through life I have come to realize this truth. Friends and Mentors have helped me to come to this realization. I hope it helps you today!

Thinking of this song brings back so many memories to me. Some of you may never have heard it, but Return to Pooh's Corner by Kenny Loggins is one of my favorite songs. If you know me, you know this. My Dad use to call me Christopher Robin when I was a kid, and he use to sing me this song. I can remember when I was little my Dad use to drive this tiny tiny truck, my Mom would refer to it as the piece of junk. We all were not found of that truck. He went through several junky cars when I was a kid. But to be honest I can remember hating it at the time, but looking back loving it. We would always go places and do things. We never sat at home, which is probably why I am always so busy.  But when we were riding in this truck my Dad had this song on cassette player. We would wear it out as we did with most songs, Jesse's Girl, Everybody wants to be a cat. We would sing at the top of our lungs. I think of those days often now. So much more simple. It may also be because I am fa

Often times I look at life in the way of what's in it for me?? How can I get something out of this, how can I get an incentive? Whether it be banking, serving, helping coaching. My heart is right, but my motive isn't always. I find myself looking at God that way. How can this make me look good?  The bible says: But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ~James 4:6 What's in it for me? No longer do I want to be bound by that spirit. I want freedom from that! Everything I do I want to glorify God in all ways. He knows my heart. I am not perfect, but I don't want that to be a crutch or an excuse, of why I can't or why I won't. So remove the flesh and put into it that God loves me so much that I want to show him how much I love him in return. That is done using all love languages. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love a