Chris Burkmenn's Blog

Today in a world where superman does not exist, except in movies. Where hard work gets you everywhere and laziness get you no where.  Today's hero many of you do not know. You may never even have heard his name until now. But the impact his has made on my life goes far beyond anyone that I have ever met. The hero for Heroic Thursday is my father, Michael Menn. Why you ask is he my hero, for obvious reasons of He is my dad, or he gave life to me. Those are both very obvious for him to be my hero. However; I honor him as a hero because he is one of the hardest workers I have ever met in my life. He works all day everyday doing so much in the world around him. He is an active member of Faith Family church in Shiloh, IL. He has about 12 jobs working more than 80 hours a week. Contributing to the community around him for the good of everyone in it. He has always had a special connection the elderly in the community, and he serves several in his area. As a child he always pushed ...

Today I honor a young boy by the name of Zach Bonner. You may or may not know him from his service to his community or even by helping change the world. When Bonner was seven years old, he founded the organization to aid the 1.3 million homeless children in the United States. Bonner said that, "These kids don't have a home, they don't have a safe place to sleep at night. They're out on the streets not because they want to be, but because it's out of their control. Bonner has contributed many efforts to those around him, including organizing several marches across the country. All for the heart to help raise awareness for homeless children. Walking several thousands of miles all over the United States. Bonner has done a variety of volunteer work since he was six years old. In 2004, when Hurricane Charley hit neighborhoods, he collected 27 pickup trucks of water in his little red wagon. He established the Little Red Wagon...

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

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...

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...

Has anyone else been as fascinated as I am with reading the story of the beginning, especially Adam and Eve. Discovering where we came from and what it means. He created everything, The light, water, land, fish, birds, trees, humans, and so much more. It's such a beautiful thing to comprehend.  One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible is Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning  God created  the heavens  and the earth.   2  Now the earth was formless  and empty,  darkness was over the surface of the deep,  and the Spirit of God  was hovering  over the waters.       Reading that and seeing how dark the world was how empty it was without God. That is so symbolic because are lives are like that without Christ, empty, dark, and formless.       When God comes in he transforms us makes us new. No matter how empty we are he comes and transforms us into an amazing masterpi...