Chris Burkmenn's Blog

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...

Often, I look at my circumstances and feel that all odds are against me. Thinking I am not equipped enough, I am not prepared, or even I am not the right person for the job. I remember I was home in St. Louis for Christmas vacation with my family, retreating to be reloaded. When I thought back on 2012, I remembered the struggles and how difficult the year had been. Wondering, "Why God would let me go through these things?" Even in the blessings I remembered thinking to myself, I am not ready.  Most of the time I tend to sell myself short. Trying to get by with the bare minimum in order to sustain where I am. I am not the biggest fan of change. Currently I am reading Forgotten God by Francis Chan, and in the book he says that we begin to ask God to repeat what he has done in the past, whether it be in worship or in a season in our lives. Francis says, that we shouldn't ask God to repeat old thing, but to experience something new from him. That blew my mind! I never thoug...

We often underestimate where we are, and think of where we should be. I am often guilty of that. I think to myself I should be here, but when all actuality I am exactly where God wants me. My steps are ordered by the Lord it says in: Psalm 37:23  The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.  God has rescued both you and I from so many trouble of this world. All we have to do is have faith that he will deliver us from so much more! As we reflect on the Christmas Holiday, I encourage you to remember where God has saved you from. @chrisburkmenn

After a fantastic year, I look back thankful and grateful to every opportunity that has come my way. I have made many mistakes, but I have also had many successes. I have done things this year that I would never have thought I would ever have the opportunity to do. As I reflect on my amazing year of growth, and blessings. I remain grateful to all the people who played a part of that in my life. Jesus thank you for loving through it all! To my father Michael Menn I say you have been such a great blessing to me in this life especially this year I appreciate you more than ever. To my mother Stacy I thank you for being such a wonderful ear and for the encouragement you have provided me. To Emily my (step)Mom which is not even the case you have been such an amazing Mother to me. Everything a mother is you are to me and I am so grateful that the Lord blessed me with you in my life!! To my sisters I miss you everyday!! To my wonderful friends who have challenged and encouraged me, Chris, Ni...

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...

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...

This year in a nutshell Rocked out at Kelly Clarkson's summer tour. This summer I grew a stache and then shaved it. Visited Memphis with our youth at Oasis Church Had fun with all of my friends Dressed sharp for an awards ceremony at Oasis Church Partied with my friend Chase Saw my family they visited and so did I Celebrated my birthday with some crazy friends Enjoyed time with my Mom and sister Went home for my sisters birthday party. Loved my sisters over the Christmas Holiday. Had a photoshoot with my friend Sarah Weeks Enjoyed spending time with my mentee Isaac Chambers Saw Needtobreathe with my good friend Caitlin Miles

Where ever you may be finding this letter, may it be five years after I wrote it. I pray that it makes as much an impact as it did on me when I first discovered it. I pray that any situation you are in may God do wonders in your life, for His glory. I pray blessings and favor over your life. Nothing has made the impact on my life as Christ did the day I committed my life fully to him. If you have not accepted Jesus in your heart as your Lord and Savior I pray that today be your day. In life, we have the choice whether it be to conform to the world or help change it. Nothing can be done in our own strength we must first realize this, and from there everything else is by faith.  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?" Well let me give your some relief to that question, and the honest answer is you can...