Chris Burkmenn's Blog

In life I think back on my journey, and I think about the things that truly matter along the road thus far. I remember people along the way that have encouraged me and supported me. I think most of us in life would agree that encouragement is so important. Most us crave the cheerleaders in life that root for us along the way. Many of us have our parents that have been a source of encouragement, our siblings can often offer support. Hopefully each of you have had a teacher or boss that have encouraged you as well. Looking back on my life I have had some great support in chasing my dreams. I remember I was in the 8th grade at Mascoutah Middle School when I auditioned to host our talent show. I was truly nervous and I had some people that told me I’d never get it. I remember walking into the audition and being so nervous, filled with doubt and fear that it would be impossible to get. I remember auditioning for two grade school teachers, Mrs. Furgeson and Mrs. Bower, I remember wal...

When I think of life and I think of the struggles that each of face everyday, I often feel discouraged. I am not sure why but lately has been more tough than ever before. I’ve had multiple conversations with my friends and they are full of encouragement, and there advice truly hold weight in my heart and in my mind. There is one place however that I need to address more attention and focus to and that it my spirit. What excites me, what motivates me, and what drives me? Much of my focus can tend to be on myself and I work really hard at putting it on others. In life I am learning that it is such a balance. We must commit energy to others, but we must also make time for ourselves. I often burn myself before I realize this notion and every time I do I think next time it will be different I will catch myself before I burn. I am still working on it, but I believe I am learning through it all. What has been inspiring me as of late is the story of Joseph and also the story of Peter ...

I have been rejected by casting directors more times that I can count. Feeling defeated from the rejection. Questioning my self worth, and fighting the often challenging weight issue. Truly feeling as though I gave it my all in my audition. Delivering everything I have learned and felt was required. The common phrase "Thank you, but you aren't what we are looking for. Or the "We will call you if we are interested." Those are just two of the common phrases heard from their ever so charming rejections. Each time I have audition I think of the possibilities that could be placed in front of me. I will be able to gain so much work IF I get this part. I remember one time I had a role "guaranteed" I knew all the right people and the person who actually worked for the network told me he had my back. "I will help get you on," he said. I was so confident thinking WOW this is the moment I have been waiting for I know something is coming. Then all for...

I am very pleased and excited to share this news with you all!! It is official I will be having a brand new design shortly! Keep checking back!

"Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you." Jonah 3:2 The Lord commanded Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh. In Jonah's time Nineveh was an awful place it was filled with every kind of sin. They would skin people alive in battles and give their carcass to the families. They would rape innocent people just because they could.  Here is a brief description of the awful things done: Woe to the bloody city! It  is  all full of lies  and  robbery.  Its  victim never departs. The noise of a whip and the noise of rattling wheels, of galloping horses, of clattering chariots! Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear.  There is  a multitude of slain, a great number of bodies, countless corpses; they stumble over the corpses; because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries, and families through her sorceries. ...

Have you ever heard of the word affirmation? Affirm: 1. State as a fact; assert strongly and publicly. 2. Declare one's support for; uphold or defend.  Some of you may have never known the word or seen the word applied.  Affirmation we often seek from man, needing to be valiadated. Getting out worth from the world. It can be very gratifying to the world and it's ways.  Men and women receive affirmation differently. I am sure through reading this you already have several ways that we differ in this area. As a man we usaually like to affirm descretely as a "Good game," "Nice work." Women can tend to be a little bit more gushy. Which is not a bad thing because we go to each for different things. Men and women balance it out we receieve it from both, but at different times. When we hurt ourselves as a child we usually go to our mother because they understand and they will let us be  as hurt as we want to be. When we just shot a bullseye or scored...

One of the verses that is tugging at my heart at the moment is: Formerly, when you did not know God,  you were slaves  to those who by nature are not gods.   But now that you know God—or rather are known by God —how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved  by them all over again? -Galatians 4:8-9 Just thinking about how amazing God is. How much He has saved us from. It's incredible to think about where we would be if the world was our ultimate goal, but it's not Jesus died for us. He transformed us the day that he changed our heart. The ways of the enemy no longer hold us back the chains are broken. This verse has such an impact on me because no matter what God's way is better, and if I am walking daily with him nothing else but Him has the power to set me free. I hope today that you can find encouragement in this to know that no matter what you are going through God can and will get you through it. Th...

Allan Fonseca an employee in a mall at Clackamas Town Center malll in Oregon saved lives on Decemeber 12, 2012.  Fonseca was familiar with his place of employment and used it for good. After the mall was taken over by a gun man, he was waiting on his mother Jocelyn Lay. Fonseca employed at Lancome in Macy's, hide his mother behind the counter. "We both just looked at each other and knew that this was a serious situation and it was a gunman and we both just dove down below the Lancome counter there for a little protection," Lay told "Good Morning America." "And the gunfire just kept going off." Lay began praying for that the Lord protect her and the others that were in danger in the mall. She gave credit to her son for being an employee and knowing exactly how to navigate the situation. She says he is her hero. "He said that we needed to evacuate, and he took me by the hand and took me down the escalator and out to safety," she said. ...

Tonight I spent the evening listening to music with a good friend of mine. We went through CD after CD trying to find some new music. Some were quality, and some were not my type of music. While looking through new and old we came across a vast variety of music. After several attempts we finally came across GOLD! I took one listen and knew that I had a new favorite song. My song of the week for Music Monday is Beauty in the Broken by Hyland. This song comes together to bring an uplifting encouraging song for all age groups. Sharing the Gospel telling the amazing redemption offered in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can find Beauty in the Broken no matter what you have been through no matter where you have come from. No matter how hopeless life may seem. Because God has a promise for your life, and Gods promises can never be miscarried. The band Hyland, is made up of four young men. Jon Lewis, Mitch Hansen, Ben Early, and Steve Weigel for this incredible band driven on impacting th...

In life, we have the choice to conform to the world or help change it. Nothing can be done in our own strength, we must first realize this. From there, everything else is by faith.   How many of you would say the world is kind of in a mess right now? I think we can all agree. But here are some simple steps on how to be the change you wish to see. Have you ever asked yourself, "What kind of impact do I want to make on this world?" I know most of us have, most of us in vain. "How can I get people to know me" or "How can I live forever?" Even I have been in those situations. I remember when I first started seat filling in 2009 for the CMA’s. I really thought “this is my time to be a star this is it!!” Well, my heart was wrong and so was my attitude. The honest answer is: life isn’t about you and you can't live forever. However, you can be a part of something that is bigger than you and that will outlast you.  How?  By helping to...

Kaitlin Roig pictured On December 13, 2012 one of the scariest moments of any parent and even American citizen lives occurred. The unthinkable happened  A young man intruded into Sandy Hook Elementary school armed and dangerous. This site is not taking a position on gun control, but we are confronting the issue. Kaitlin Roig a first grade teacher at the elementary school in Newton, Connecticut  Pushed fear behind her in the sake of her students.  Adam Lanza arrived to the school at 9:30 a.m. Adam killed his mother at the families home before going to the school.  Kaitlin the 29 year old teacher, at the time was teaching her first graders. Hearing a gun shot, she rushed her students to a near bathroom. Telling ABC News: “I put one of my students on top of the toilet. I was telling them, it’s going to be OK, you’re going to be all right. I told them to be absolutely quiet because I was just so afraid if he did c...