JosephBurke.com

A Love Letter To My Wife

// April 2nd, 2013 // 1 Comment » // Joe's Blog

It’s funny sometimes how we get so wrapped up in our own little worlds with life, events and activities, yet, even though we’re spending a great deal of time with our family, we really never simply pause for a moment to openly say what we already know. Often times, saying aloud what’s already known and felt, and vocally/verbally proclaiming that truth can tighten those bonds. I just want to take this time to do that very principle, publicly and openly, to be as transparent and sincere about my life and path with my spouse, even more-so my own family, as I can be, and letting the world know how much I admire, love and respect my beloved.

You ever heard that old phrase, “Our time is not God’s time?” This rings so true in my own life, especially with my wife. You see, I was in a rocky relationship prior to finding my soul mate, and even more the fact that the woman I was dating at the time in 2007 was a bond initiated by my own engagement and action. I thought I could find love and a partner on my own, so I took action within myself to seek a companion without waiting on the Lord to deliver one to me. The six and half year long lesson learned in all of this was, “Do not instigate or fix things by your own hand or will, but rather be patient, wait up on the Lord, and seek Him. All things we do within ourselves will crumble and become an EPIC FAIL!.” I won’t say my time in the previous relationship was all bad, but I knew deep down it wasn’t God’s timing or his intent for my life late in the relationship, and realizing this when it’s all falling apart and fading away.

As an eighteen year old, I prayed a prayer that ultimately landed me a ten year journey of faith, awakening, soul searching and much needed life lesson in acting by our own hand. That prayer was for God to deliver the perfect companion to me, someone I could love, trust, admire, worship alongside and see wonderful things with. In some ways, I acted out of foolishness, and attempted to fix the problem by “finding a solution” without simply waiting on the Will of God. Seven years later, I’m single again, and really getting connected with who I am, my place in the world and soul searching again for answers. The answer came, like with all of God’s intent, in the most random yet unforeseen way, through Blue Man Group. Weird right?

A little known fact about my life as a Blue Man Group fan and owner of the first fan base, was that I did a great amount of online work for the fan communities, and organized many events, with the company broadening my horizons beyond the limits of Southeast Kentucky to such cities as New York City, Las Vegas, Chicago and soon to be Orlando. Here is how God answered a ten year old prayer that I uttered in my heart almost daily, even while in the six year relationship I was previously in. One of the fans of Blue Man Group by the name of Mike Ippolito, was dealing with some private and personal matters, and found relief and hope through my radio program on WMMT FM 88.7 called Crossroads. Mike listened to every show, and our love of 80′s music, classic rock and music grew, and so did our friendship. Mike would even call in requests from his home in Atlanta, GA and became an active Blue Man Group fan in my online community. Mike became so passionate about his connection with me, that he needed to see me in person, and one weekend in October 2007, he flew up from Atlanta to little Letcher County, Kentucky and joined me on my radio show at WMMT, and participated in my Open Mic Nights at Summit City Lounge in downtown Whitesburg. It was there, Mike and I grew to become even closer friends, and he blindsided me with this envelope and wrapped package. Stunned at the gift, I opened it, and found inside a beautifully written poem about friendship and two prepaid gift certificates to Blue Man Group Orlando with no expiration date. I later understood Mike’s father had passed from cancer, and my radio show and interactions became a way for him to deal with the circumstances that life had dealt him. I was speechless, shocked and humbled, but I didn’t see the big picture just yet of what God was doing in my life.

I took what I knew best with 2 Blue Man tickets, and organized an Orlando fan meet around these tickets, because at the time, I didn’t have lots of money (still don’t), but embraced the chance to see the new Orlando venue and meet new fans of the community. The date was set, July 26th, 2008, and at the time, I had a MySpace profile page. I was friends with a few of the Blue Man Group fans, and one in particular I “lurked” on her profile on and off. Something about her just seemed different, but I never contacted her as she was listed as “In A Relationship.” But that never stopped me from seeing her profile and photos from her many trips to Disney and Universal Studios, places that as a child, I would have given anything to experience, but our family didn’t have the money to make the long trip to Orlando when I was a child. One day, I happened to catch her status message that she was now single, and no longer “In A Relationship.” Really not expecting any sort of reply, and having much doubt about myself, I felt compelled within my being to invite her to dinner while I was in Orlando, and encourage our parents to join us as well to help not make things so awkward. Now, looking back, I knew it was God convicting my heart to reach out to Alexandra Irick, and welcome her to dinner with my father. I shutter to think about what would have happened if I hadn’t obeyed my convictions, and shunned the opportunity that God was giving me.

But here I am, it’s 2008, I’m single, she’s single, and I get a reply back, “Yes! I would love to have dinner the night before the fan event at Universal Studios.” Standing back in utter amazement, a bit astonished, mixed with jubilation, for the first time in my life, I was going to Orlando on a gift from a random person who became from best friend, I had a dinner date with Alexandra and her mother along with my father, and I was getting to be in the city I always wanted to visit but before, never could afford. I remember being in Orlando, and going down the elevator at the Ramada on International Drive with my father, and having a nervous cough of sorts, and being very anxious and nervous because waiting for me in the downstairs parking lot, was Alexandra and her mother picking us up for dinner. It was the very moment I embraced Alex for the first time with a hug, that I felt God compelling me more and more, and I knew from that moment, she was the “the one.” It’s a love and embrace I had never felt before, my very being, manhood and soul was rocked to it’s core by this amazing strong spirited woman that changed my life forever. 3 months later we were engaged, October to be exact, one year after Mike visited me in Whitesburg. One year later, we were married on October 10th, 2010, two years exact after Mike visited me.

Prior to October 2007, if I would have known the drastic turn of events that God was having in store for me, I honestly wouldn’t have believed it. Huge obstacles were overcome, my life became whole, complete, and I feel God more now in my life than ever before. So to recap, I prayed almost daily for God to deliver the perfect soul mate as an eighteen year old teen. Endured hardships, bad relationships and learned a life lesson of patience without taking selfish action of my own. 7 years later, Mike visits with a key to unlock Orlando, and within that key was a seal of a promise that if we’re patient on God, in His time, he shall deliver the desires of our heart if and when it’s His will for us. Through this gift of tickets, Mike allowed an opportunity for two souls who never met, nor knew anything of each other prior, to come together as one, and through that union God’s promise in my life had been fulfilled, my patience was proven just and my prayer was answered ten years later. Not only did God deliver a Christian wife, but a Registered Nurse as a little “icing on the cake” and “wink” from the Great Divine. I often times look back, and smile to Heaven and say, “Your just showing off now Lord!”

Through open doors, circumstance, convictions, suffering, learning, patience and enduring, God never ceases to amaze me. I am so proud of the woman my wife has become, so rock solid in her walk with Jesus, so passionate about her Savior and such a willing vessel to grow and learn in the awe inspiring power of a living God. Alexandra and I are inseparable, attached at the hip, best friends, soul mates, companions, shoulders, prayer partners, travelers, faith growing, passionate romantics and God’s amazing testament to faith, hope and expanding both our understanding of God’s Will in both our lives. By divine intervention, chance, opened doors and willingness to walk through on blind faith, I am forever a changed and humbled man by the sheer volume of love I have for my amazing wife. She is and always will be, my angel sent from God.

Acquainted Thanksgiving

// November 24th, 2011 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

This Thanksgiving, many Americans get the story of Thanksgiving under-toned by the facade of the Macy’s Day Parade, Black Friday Sales and of course cooking dinner for family. But what really happened to make Thanksgiving such a big hype these days, and why aren’t we looking back to reflect forward? My pastor said something in service this past Sunday that struck a chord within. He said, “We’ve forgotten who gave us all the food, our house, car and health… It’s all become a media blitz of epic marketing proportions. We’ve totally forgotten about God, and why we really should be thankful and what for to begin with.”

You see, the pilgrims came over to the Americas in search of religious freedom to preach, teach and share the gospel anywhere, anytime. The pilgrims, struggling to survive with famine and disease, endured some harsh Winters during 1620. Allying with Samoset and Squanto (both Abnaki Indians), the pilgrims were taught how to raise crops and reap a bountiful harvest the following October. We’ve all heard this story growing up in the history books, but do we really understand it’s true significance? Is it mentioned anywhere that both Indians and the pilgrims participated in a Christian prayer of thanksgiving for their wonderful harvest, new found native brave friends and their newly found freedom to worship God with no government rules or ties to bound them? The answer is rarely this fact is taught or mentioned to our youth and public today. It’s been magically erased from the text books, and now a void is left in the tradition that is truly Thanksgiving.

I find it appalling that our American society has taken a “Magic Eraser” of sorts to the truths about our great nation, so I’m asking this of all my friends and followers this year whether you believe in Christianity or have faith in anything, offer up prayers of true thanksgiving intent this year. Stop and do inventory of your own lives, family and what you have right before you. You’ll see a cloudy veil ripped away from your eyes as you see the world around in a new light. Pray in earnest, and please don’t say, “Dear Lord thank you for this here food we are about to eat.” Say it the way it was meant, “Thank you for your bounty of blessings on my family’s life, your Holy divine hand leading our steps and for ultimately giving the greatest sacrifice of Thanksgiving so we could have a hope beyond our human measure.”

Enjoy your family, enjoy the amazing food that follows and more importantly enjoy the fact of knowing, you too, like the pilgrims have the same religious freedom they once sought out in 1620. God has an amazing purpose for all of us, sometimes we have to stop and get reacquainted with things before we can see the beauty and wonder of life as He so intended it.

Blessings from our house to yours,
Joe & Alexandra Burke

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Meditation Praise

// June 22nd, 2011 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

This is a simply meditative music video put to one of our favorite songs by Mike Oldfield, “Let There Be Light.” The meaning behind this video is that the ocean purifies the mind and body, and it’s healing power rejuvenates our very essence.

A Heartbeat Away

// June 17th, 2011 // No Comments » // Joe's Blog

There comes a time in our lives where we have to face those things that haunt us deep down emotionally, mentally and inevitably… physically. To face such a mountain of an obstacle isn’t easy, nor is it something we as humans are used to doing, but doing so will open a floodgate of joyful jubilation that our bodies cannot contain. It’s hard to face the facts, and more hard to confront your fear head on. Many of us will live our entire lives going to the grave still holding on to those things in which we fear most. How does one overcome?

The answer is simple… Hope. Hope is the anticipation of positive outcome, in efforts to broaden and better our lives. By surrounding yourself with hope, one can achieve a level of thinking and spirituality that others can only dream, but it’s so simple to get there. Often times, some stroll throughout life and neglect the one simple thing that helps them find the inner peace within. Hope is something we all must have. A hope for a better day, a hope for a better doctor’s visit, a hope for a better job, a hope for a better life for yourself and your family. Whatever it is in your life, hope is the key to overcoming your deepest fears. Though you may not be able to conquer your fears at the first battle, keeping your mind and eyes set on hope and the ambition of something greater and better will help you cope with life’s struggles. A little faith and prayer with God won’t hurt either, trust me, prayer can change lives… I’ve seen it too many times to deny it’s true awesome power.

How does Joe cope with the life and woes of fear, doubt and my own little pity party? Something my wife Alexandra and I done tonight was the key. In a joyous, serious and heart to heart conversation, we both promised to hope for a brighter future, a better outcome and pray for the desires of our heart. The simple affectionate touch of your soul mate’s fingers caressing your face can offer so many wonderful new frontiers. Promise yourself to wake up each morning bright and new, glancing at your spouse or loved one and tell them how much you love them and how special they are. For you husband and wives out there, a simple ear to the chest to hear the Earth shattering sounds of your lover’s heartbeat can redirect your paths to new horizons in your search for things positive.

Hope can come in many different forms, but it’s always key to keep the positive in sight, and leave the negative behind. Surround yourself with white light, let the angels protect you and keep your chin up for the hope of a brighter tomorrow. God’s Kingdom is a powerful place, hoping to be there one day is sometimes all the hope you’ll ever need. Overcome, live, endure and persevere… Easier said than done, but once done easier by the day.

Blessings,
Joe

A New Chapter

// June 1st, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Joe's Blog

Like many married couples, the wife and I are now seeking a more permanent residence. I will admit, I’ve grown incredibly fond of this apartment complex that I’ve spent the past 3 years of my life. This apartment is dear to me, as it symbolizes our sprouting love between Alexandra and I, the wedding, the ups, downs and humble realities of life. But, growing older, and more into a mature mindset after marriage, our focus as a couple has now been set on purchasing a home that we can call our own. We’ve begun our search around the greater Orlando area, and have found many potential opportunities with homes. It’s a daunting ordeal dealing with banks, getting pre-qualified, trying to find the place to spend the majority of your life and potentially raise your children there. Yes… Joe said children.

At this point, the wife and I are praying diligently over the next few months that God will deliver to us the perfect home, opportunity and open the door we need when we need it. I have to remind myself that God has a plan for us, and we just have to be patient and wait upon him. God has been so faithful to deliver amazing things to Alexandra and I over the past few years. The wedding alone was heavenly and filled with perfection, joy and love. My pastor preaches many times on Sunday morning that we often times want things now or in the middle of a crisis that we usually get ourselves into in the first place. Even though I would give anything to have the perfect home right now, I know something deep down is brewing and God has yet to reveal that perfect plan to us. I’m sure when the moment arises, we’ll see the door open and know this is our chance to take charge.

It’s funny how perspectives change when you’re married. You have to put your “big boy” pants on and be a man. Even though the nerd/geek side of me always will have a place for things like Star Wars, Marvel Comics, video games and movies, I have to really concentrate of the upcoming months and pray on this goal for our lives. It’s said in the bible in Psalm 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” I believe if I can get all my Christian friends to help and pray with me, Alexandra and I can be blessed abundantly with a new future home and permanent housing. We’re already blessed beyond our wildest dreams, we have each other for starters. I know… Mushy right? But really, my life is so perfect right now, it makes me ponder the storms ahead in my life. I’ve seen the card played too many times in life where things sail good for a while and then all of a sudden the storm rolls in, and we have to endure some tragedy. I don’t want to jinx my prosperity, but I must admit, I’ve been the most spiritually sound and happy the past few years since I met Alexandra that I can’t imagine anything better or worse. I’m sure whatever storms arise, with her by my side, we can face any obstacle great or small. She’s my very essence and backbone, and I proudly say that my wife is my best friend, partner in crime, companion, soul mate and Godsend.

A new chapter begins soon… We’ll keep you updated. Please pray for us in agreement that we can find the right housing, and God will have us where He wants us. Simple as that!

See you on the Grid,
-Joe