Chris Burkmenn's Blog

Life and Media Why do we so badly want to be a part of a celebrity life? We watch shows that glamorize being popular. Longing to be in the in crowd. Feeling a sense of deprivation because we are not in the elite. Feeling as though we know these stars: Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Ellen, and any other that come to mind. We want to be in that club, we want to have as many followers, likes, retweets, shares, and anything that comes with it. We feel as though we should have those things it's a sense of entitlement. "Well if Ellen has that many likes on her photo then I should too." Almost missing the message of what life truly is and the possibility that we may never have those things. We may never have 1.4 million likes on our Instagram account. We may never be sitting in that chair next to Ellen. Through all of the hype and all of the buzz the one true thing that we should be ok with is ourselves. We should be perfectly content with what we have, we should be ok with in...

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...

In a time where social media is at the tip of our fingers. A culture that has been groomed to broadcast their successes, dreams, and experiences; we are given a glimpse into the lives of our peers.  So easily scrolling through someone meeting their favorite celebrity, reaching the finish line(race, cancer, graduation,) achieving a dream(music, acting, modeling.) As friends we share in each others achievements and grieve in their setbacks. We are the first to wish a congratulations, liking a photo, sharing a post. We respond, "That is incredible." Supporting them as a good friend should.  What we don't realize is that while we are seeing our friends broadcast their lives, we don't know the full story. We don't understand what went into those achievements, and sometimes we gain resentment for them. We don't know what people go through in their walk of life. We can't take everything posted on Facebook as their complete success. Perception is everyt...

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...

When I think of what I am trying to do with( CBEX ) the thought of Christopher Columbus comes to mind. "In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue." Think of the faith that took, people most certainly said that he was crazy to go and explore this unknown land. Not even knowing if he would get there or what it might take on the journey to the new land. He pioneered a journey to a place that had only been heard of before, but going to this new land taking only past experiences, and not having any knowledge of the new. Pushing past the negative opinions of others and having full confidence in who he reported to. Leading a team who trusted in Columbus because they had confidence in his leadership and who he reported to. I apply a lot of this logic on my current endeavors into pioneering the unknown. Webshows are a thing of the future, and CBEX is about all of that. We are walking into the unknown, and applying new strategies. Some think we are crazy, and many...

In March of 2009 I felt called to move to Nashville, TN from St. Louis, MO. God had placed on my heart that I needed a fresh start. I felt called to the city for several reasons, one major reason being my church The Oasis Church. I left with no agenda, and only the direction of the church. Many skeptics came my way with questions of, "What are you going to do?" and "You won't know anyone!" Stepping out in faith I began my journey. With very little money in my pocket, and little to know furniture in my car. I had a job at Well Fargo bank because I was able to transfer from St. Louis. I am so grateful to Wells Fargo for the ability to get to the city in which I felt called. I worked for them for 3 years and wouldn't change a thing. I learned so many things through the struggles of that job. I met more people than I can count on several fingers. In June of this year(2012) I left Wells Fargo with a fresh start. Again not sure of the direction I was going t...

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...

How many of you have ever heard of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? It is probably one of the greatest stories in the Bible. It is quite a lengthy chapter, but it is worth reading.  Some astrologers informed Nebuchadnezzar that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not worshiping him. Tell him that they continue to worship their God, but do not worship his gods or the gold statue that the king had created. The king became very angry with this. The king summoned them to ask them if this was true, and if it was in fact not then he wanted to them to start worshiping him as soon as the music started play or they would be thrown in the fiery furnace. Hinting that whatever god they were serving wouldn't be able to rescue them from the fire. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the king that they would not serve him and that if they were thrown in the fire that their God would save them. This angered the king extremely. He then ordered th...

Tonight I saw the perks of being a wallflower . A friend blessed me with the opportunity to go and see the movie. I had seen the previews and I was so intrigued, because when I was younger I never really fit in any cliques. I was teased as a child, and sometimes bullied. So I thought it would be great to see this movie. Let me tell you, what a great movie. I felt so sorry for this young boy Charlie, going to school day after day and being treated the way he was. He was teased pretty awfully for the way he dressed, or even the questions he answered in class. I sympathized with him because he had so much going on internally and with his family. No one cared though, and not one person asked him how he was doing. The one thing Charlie has are his letters to his "friend" in a journal, and they summarize his feelings and help him grow as a writer. It helps him process all of the things that are going on around him. Help him not think about how lonely he truly is. One day ...

In a world where our excuse is time, and that we don't have much to give. We get to a place where we can almost become desensitized to the world around us. We tend to think that we should live our lives and we should be the only ones that are benefited from it.  I believe that we have the ability to change, to change the course set in the past. Just an excuse cannot cut it anymore. We have to stand up and say I can't go, but I can support those who have been called to go. We must do a little bit to support a bigger cause than ourself. If we were to give a little it would go so much further than giving none. I am guilty of believing that if I can't give something big then I probably can't do anything at all, but that is so not the case. $5, $10, $20 can make a world of difference in Cambodia, Thailand, Africa. Our third world countries need our help, but let us support our fellow friends and send them and support them on the call that God has placed on their lives...