Brett Larson is Station Manager of WDCX and has been a part of WDCX ever since he was a young boy. In 1993, Brett officially began his Christian radio career as a part-time board operator with WDCX, as he worked during his Summers home from college. During that time, Brett attended Liberty University and achieved a Bachelor's degree in Communications while "minoring" in Theology. Brett attended Liberty on a singing scholarship, he traveled throughout the US and Canada and went on short-term mission trips to The Philippines, China (smuggling Bibles), Hong Kong, Alaska and Hawaii. After returning from Virginia, he began his full-time work with WDCX as an Account Executive and then grew to Sales Manager and now, Station Manager. While working full-time, Brett also obtained an M.B.A. in order to help lead WDCX and continue its growth and mission. Brett and his wife, Kim, have two little boys and they enjoy serving together in their local church.
What to do, what to do?
By: Brett Larson
Every wonder whether to do something or not to do something...whether to be proactive or reactive? In some cases, it's a tuff choice. Like when you know about something sensitive or a tragedy...should you break the news or wait for someone else to and then help with the clean-up, etc.?
Being a Christ follower can pose the same query. What does it mean to follow Christ, especially when it comes to our behavior and actions? What I'm getting at is are we to be offensive or defensive...obey a list of dont's OR does a good Christ follower DO! I think this a problem that has really held back the church in recent generations. Many Christ followers have turned to a list of dont's to describe what it is to be a "good" Christ follower. But, as I look through God's Word, I see a lot less about the dont's and a lot more about the DO's. Fruits of the Spirit are a list of DO's...we are to love our neighbor as ourselve...if we don't love our brother, we can't love Christ, etc., etc.
I think we'd do a lot better with our evangelstic outreaches, our reputations, our testimonies...and our Christ following if we starting paying more attention to the DO's rather than the dont's.
The Fall
By: Brett Larson
Unless your some sort of recluse, you have probably heard of the great problems that Toyota Motor is having. Not more than a few months ago, almost anyone you talked to in the world would say that buying a Toyota is a slam dunk bet on quality, reliability, satisfaction, etc. How quickly the wheels can come off in the manufacturing of goods! Toyotas were considered almost perfect! In fact, when we went to buy a van, as our family grew, there was no other consideration, it had to be Toyota. Personally, I'm not shocked, they are designed, engineered and made by humans. By the way, I still think they are a fantastic automobile.
So....how does this apply to the Christian life? Well, as our society becomes more and more humanistic...where we think we can do it on our own, man has arrived, we know better, etc. Toyota is just further proof that we really don't know what we're doing. Just when we think we've got it figured out.....9 million recalls happen.
Friend, there is no "recall" on life. You get one shot. You can't get it wrong...there's no second chance once you die. Why then, do we put our "trust" in ourselves? Some think "well, as long as your serious about whatever your religion is" or "it just doesn't make sense" or "I don't want to be tied down" etc. Well, take it from Toyota....mankind does not have it figured out. It can apply to all things "man-made." Religion of all sort is a man-made system...like Toyota. The church (institution) will fail you, people (pastors, friends) will fail you. There is only ONE WAY to be sure that your not going to want a "recall" on life. That is by trusting God with your life. We simply can't do it alone and get it even close to "right." We need God guiding us through, we need to seek an eternal relatioship with HIM. HOW? Seek ye first the Kingdom of God....what is that? Jesus Christ, God's Kingdom on earth, who came to provide a way, to fix our broken relationship with God. Once you surrender to the fact that YOU cannot do it and that you need a Saviour who paid for your sin; God, through the Holy Spirit will come in to your life and literally guide your life. It will change the "who" of who you are and you will not need a recall at the end.....as His Word (the Bible) says, He will say "Well done, good and faithful servant."
The "mask" of Integrity
By: Brett Larson
Such a misused, cliche` word is "integrity." Marketers have realized that in this world of scams and fraud, everbody wants to hear that a business or organization...or person, has "integrity." The truth is, very few REALLY know what it means to have true integrity and even if they do, very few are willing to make the sacrifice to obtain it.
Even in the "Christian" community. We often excuse away or take the easy way out of dealing with integrity by excusing it away with misguided masks of "love", "kindness", "being nice", etc. The truth is that sometimes having integrity isn't "nice," it isn't always Polyanna butterflies and puppies. It is grit, tough decisions, saying what might not be popular, willing to self-sacrifice, not compromising. In our business, sometimes it means saying "no" to someone who might want to advertise or buy programming. It offends them, it offends the way the rest of the world does business...but, to us/me, I will not compromise the benefit of the whole for a few dollars or to make someone happy. So, to the one I say "no" to, for whatever reason, I'm sure they feel as if I'm not being a "nice" Christian...etc. Catch what I'm saying?
The same might be true of our personal lives. We might have to confront someone ( in a Godly way) that isn't going to like what we have to say...they might rely on the old go-to saying "you aren't acting very Christian-like...you're not nice"...but, to have true integrity, we have to be willing to take that.
So, I challenge you/me. Are we ready to embrace true Integrity, it takes toughness, perserverance and confidence. It is not easily attained. So, let's not use the word unless we are really ready to embrace all that it means.
Over / Under
By: Brett Larson
Ever been around somebody who "over-spiritualizes" everything. By "over-spiritualize" I mean that they often take random life cirmustance, usually those of their own doing, and turn them into a message from God...and sometimes their supposed message contradicts scripture. They might say something like "my wife is not being a Proverbs wife and she is not meeting my needs, helping out, etc., I think God is showing me that I need to leave her." Well, buddy, me thinketh thou art wrong...and furthermore, me thinketh thou art the problem. I know this is probably an extreme example, but there are much more subtle ways...like when we fail to follow through on something or we just don't do a good job and we say "well, I guess God had something else in mind." Like a singer who just blows it on a song...."well, I guess God didn't want me to do that song" ......or my friend, maybe it's because you didn't practice. Get what I'm saying?
THEN, there's the under. This is probably more aligned with stronger personality traits (like mine). I tend to take it myself, tackle it, power through...the danger in this is that it can leave little room for God to change or work. This end of the spectrum tends to take the spiritual, emotional element out and make it a man thing, which obviously, isn't good either.
The over-spiritualizer tends to be a more emotional, creative personality (an artist) and the under-spiritualizer tends to be more direct and calculated (a business person). Neither, by themselves, are good. However, isn't it cool how God often pairs these types together in ministry. God uses these tendencies to balance out his church, provide feedback and growth. Lately, instead of getting frustrated with different personality types and styles, etc., I've tried to just sit back and see how God works within different personalities and how he brings complimentary personalities in to our lives.
I guess I just want to encourage you not to get too frustrated with those that might be a little different or work a little differently than you do....enjoy it, it's the beauty of His Church!
Blinders
By: Brett Larson
Blinders are used for horse teams...so that they don't look sideways, get distracted and spooked, but keep pressing forward. Are they a good thing? In that context, yes they are...no one wants a loose team of draft horses running all over....just not good.
On the other hand, I've done some back country horse back riding and an entirely different set of tools are necessary. Blinders are not good for a back country trail horse. That horse needs to see the sides...needs to know the cliff is right next to it, etc.
So it goes in the Christian life. There are times when we need some blinders on, so that we continue to press on in the midst of distraction. And, there are times when we need to be aware of our surroundings, be alert and a part of the world around us.
I John 2:16 says: For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.
How does this apply? We need to be "blind" to the enticements, the cravings and passions, the pride and those things that distract us from our Kingdom calling and relationship to God. However, we do need to be aware of what they are and be able to fight and help others fight, their temptation and attraction. Here comes the challenge, it's knowing when we are strong and when we are weak. You know what I mean, there are times when I might be much more likely to fall in to temptation rather than fight the tempation...that's blinder time, don't look, don't think, just go directly to blinder jail and do not pass go.
However, there are times when I'm strong and I can take a tempation head on, help someone through something, etc. These are the times where the blinders come off and we can dive right in to the muck of the battle, get our hands dirty and gain awareness of the secular circumstances around us. But, then the blinders go back on and we focus ahead, get strong again, etc.
Maybe not the best example, but I hope you get my drift... if you're feeling beat down spiritually and weak, put the blinders on, dive in to God's word, get strong, it's not time to be "in the world" ....until you're strong again.
Faithful in the Desert
By: Brett Larson
Last night, Benji and Jenna Cowart and I hosted a great night of worship at a wonderful church in Brockton, NY. We had a great time visiting and in worship with the folks in Brockton, and it served as a great reminder for us. The small-town pastor is a special individual. There's not "big money" in his vocation, there's not a large staff to lean on for help...in many cases, it's just him and his wife reaching out to the people. These are true heros of the faith. They are not going to get huge "crops" of people walking the aisles every Sunday, they aren't going to get invited to speak at big conferences (maybe they should), they're just battleing everyday for their communities and their "flock." They're faithful servants of God serving the Kingdom day in and day out...truly living with an eternal focus. How special are these warriors of the faith, may we not forget those who sometimes (I'm sure) feel forgotten in the desert. At the very least, remember to pray for these special ministers and perhaps (if you have the means or ability) find a small town church and help in any way you can.
I'm thankful for those who sacrifice for the Kingdom, may God bless them in many ways!
"6 year old ninja"
By: Brett Larson
Okay, now we have reached insanity! Let me start out by saying that I am all for safety in the schools, extra security, etc. But, what is it about our society and culture that we go bazzerk and then act with total disregard for common sense.
6 year old Zach Christie went to school one day with the excitement that only a 6 yr old can have about something so little and cheap. You see, Zach just got his first pocket tool from the cub scouts. It had a fork, a spoon, and a knife that couldn't cut butter (and doesn't even lock)....and Zach couldn't wait to show his buddies, he was so proud. Then...oops, it fell out of his pocket and some teacher picked it up. That's were stupidity entered in. You see Zach is the smartest link in those involved in this chain of events. So, then some moronic school administrator flips out and finds the policy regarding weapons...ya, weapons! So, now this little 6 year old "terrorist" is treated like he's some sort of lunatic on the path of animal torture and a life of criminal mastery. So, they've sentenced this little 6 year old boy to 45 days of reform school. I'm so mad that I could spit steel! They have labeled this poor little guy for life......all because he acted like a boy! Like he brought some sort of switchblade to school or something.
It was a CAMPING TOOL....so, take it away, give it to the parents and ask that he not bring it to school and that his parents check his pockets. And, what are they going to reform him from? CAMPING? I'm so upset over this one that I can't even continue the post.......please, please, please, be as outraged as I am about this one and speak up! Can we please get some common sense back!
CEO Pay
By: Brett Larson
9/16/09
A sensitive issue, to be sure. Although, I think all of the freaking out over the last few years has been kind of indicitave of where we, as a society, hold our values. Do CEO's make a lot of money? You bet! In fact, the average compensation of an S and P 500 company CEO was $10 million in 2008. These CEO's are the top in the game, they work for the "big-boys." To get a better picture, maybe we should break down their job.
they are responsible for the lives of, in most cases, 10's of thousands of employees and their family income
they alone, answer to the Board of Directors, stockholders, other investors, etc.
it's do or die in this arena...no performance, your gone.
they alone are looked to for the direction of the company and they play a significant role in confidence in the entire corporation...who's supply chain could impact 100's of thousands of jobs, etc.
the hours are basically.....brutal!
many give up family life
Ok, you still say, too much money. Allow me to put it in perspective. The Washington Redskins just signed Albert Haynesworth, a Defensive Tackle (of all positions) to a $100 million dollar contract over 7 years! He plays football! I love football, it's fun, it's a great GAME! He doesn't employee thousands...who's destinies lay in his hands! He works out for part of the year and then plays for 16 (maybe a few more) weeks!
A good CEO can bring millions upon millions (even billions) into a company. Providing more jobs, more investment, etc. It is a "market" unto it's own. And to some level, so can a great athelete bring money to an organization...but not nearly on the same scale.
So I ask you.....what's out of whack?
That our President is attacking responsible CEO's (not the criminal kind)...and it's just business as usual when an athelete signs $100 million dollar contracts.
Or...
the CEO pay?
We go after CEO's for flying on private jets. T.O. flies on private jets. "Yes, but they're using public dollars."
Don't many football players and baseball players play in stadiums that the public dollar built? Why is there no outcry over their salaries, or private planes?
Wouldn't we rather get top-notch CEO's to turn these companies around....so we can get our public dollars back? (which should've never been spent). It's not the private sector's fault that our government meddled in our free-market system. Don't attack the good guys, because of a few bad guys.
It's the situational ethics of or society. The hypocrisy....and it drives me nuts!
Friends
By: Brett Larson
9/15/09
Throughout my life, I've been blessed with great friends. I guess it's just luck that I connected with the right people and the right time and place....
I could not be more thankful as I have about 5-6 close buddies that I have walked through life with. Even now, new friends have come on the scene and I've grown close with them.
Once in a while I'll run in to someone that says they just aren't close with any of their friends...they really don't have trusting, be there in the fire, friends. I really feel bad for those people...my friends have helped me through life, helped me make good choices, helped me out of my bad choices. I can't tell you the value of calling up someone that is walking through life with you and bouncing a business decision or personal circumstance off them. "Hey man, am I right in thinking this?" "Yup, right on"....boy, that gives me comfort....or "no, you need to think about this" ....that can save me from a lot of headache.
Whatever stage of life you're in...seek out someone that's walking through that stage. Find someone that thinks similar to you, but can provide sound, biblical perspective. The best way to make a friend like that, be friendly, be less selfish, cut people (friends) some slack, be balanced, don't expect too much.....BE HONEST and likeable.
I thank God for good friends!
Games and Memories
By: Brett Larson
8/28/09
This morning, at the very break of dawn, I tee'd off on the first hole. I played a decent, quick round early this morning...I still remember my score, but I won't tomorrow. I'm a pretty chillaxed golfer. I don't let bad shots get to me, I just have fun being outside and with friends. I always wonder why people get so upset over the game of golf. It's not like they're going anywhere with it...we always get in our cars and go about the rest of our day...and it doesn't involve PGA tour endorsement meetings. The guys that I play with are pretty much the same way.
I've always loved sports, but over the years I've grown less interested in the outcome and more interested in the experience. Sports kind of reflect life. Wouldn't we lead much more fulfilling lives if we cared more about the process and the experience than we did about the outcome? The irony would be that our outcomes would be better. For instance, the less I care about my score in golf, the better it gets. Not only is it free'ing...it gets better results.
With your kids, with life, with your walk with God....stop worrying about how it's all going to turn out, whether you'll/they'll be okay, and focus on today. Enjoy your walk with God, enjoy your family; be enjoy-able! You'll like the outcome a whole lot more and you'll love getting there!
Leave, Kill, Return
By: Brett Larson
8/20/09
I love this statement from our friend, Dave Ramsey: "Leave the cave, kill something, drag it back." Kind of sums up the American spirit over the past few hundred years. Unfortunately, I think we've fallen away from that simplicity....and, perhaps that's why were are in this uncertain time, both financially and politically. We've abandoned the simplicity of life. Technology, so called intellectualism and advancement have pushed aside our core beliefs and fundamentals. The above statement says it all. We get out and do something, we follow through...no matter how gritty we have to get, and then we bring back the prize. Leaving and returning with nothing, is meaningless. We have to do what it takes to get the job done...that, is where we've grown soft. I've said this before, the wussification of our society is breading an entitled generation that thinks "the kill" should be brought to them. "What do you mean I have to leave the cave?" or my comfort zone. "Wait, I actually have to kill something?" or work hard and get my hands dirty. "What, I have to drag this heavy thing back?" or follow through on something and finish strong.
Much of life's problems could be solved by this mentality...just get it done. Stop whining, stop complaining, pull yourself up by the boot-straps and get it done! I love it.....leave the cave, kill something, drag it back!
"Liberalism"
8/11/09
By: Brett Larson
It's a common term thrown around in today's political climate. When we hear that someone is a "liberal," we can all describe what that person's world-view aligns with. The mere definition of the word means "loose" or "openhanded" or "broad." So now, think of some political figure that is described as liberal and then align their actions with the meaning of the word....confused? I am. Why would a loose or open minded or broad minded person be against citizens in a democracy expressing their dissent? Why would a "liberal" oppose open debate? Why would someone who is "broad" attempt to squelch any dissending opinion? That is what's happening. American citizens can now "tell on each other".....that's scary! "Liberal" politicians are attempting to silence conservative radio and tv. That's hardly openmindedness. I guess the modern definition of "liberal" is more: "open minded to anything that agrees with my closed mind." Really, the modern political liberal is more of a federalist...someone favoring strong government control. The term "Democrat" really more describes what the Republican party is....they used to be called Democrat-Republicans. Although, even the Republican lines are blurred with many in that party becoming more federalistic.
In reality, the system will always be flawed. We are human, flawed by nature. Proverbs 14 and 16 tells us that "there is way that seems right to man, but the end is death." No matter what WE think or do, we are wandering without the guidance of God. God's Word tells us that leadership and wisdom come from Him...and that rulers that rely on God, will be blessed. Wouldn't it be nice to see a return to humble leadership...not "know it all" plans and slight of hand, mis-leading words, etc.
There is no question, I am a true conservative. I am not a "liberal" by any definition of the word. I am "close minded." I believe that in order for there to be truth, there has to be one truth. Logically speaking you cannot have two different truths. If I stand by my convictions, then I believe that I am right...otherwise I have no convictions. There really is no such thing as liberalism, by it's true definition. Logically, a liberal cannot label themself as a liberal because that, by definition, is not liberal (a debate for another day).
Politically, I believe in self-government, small...only what's necessary government. This debate has been going strong in this country since Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. I don't see it ending anytime soon....but regardless of the political flavor, a return to godly leadership, humble strength, and petitioning for HIS wisdom, would make it all irrelevant.
Bless the Lord
By: Brett Larson
6/11/09
Bless the Lord, Oh my soul." What a great old song...taken right from Psalm 103 and 104 and several other OT passages!
Some translations say "Praise the Lord...with everything..." etc. But, I'm not sure that captures the whole meaning of "Bless the Lord"
Ok, honesty time, I've sung these words my whole life. But, I'm admitting, I never really fully understood what they meant. How in the world do WE bless HIM? Isn't He, the Almighty God of the Universe, the one capable of doing the "blessing?" What do we have to offer Him that we can "bless the Lord?" Does God really need a "blessing" from men?
"Bless the Lord, O my soul..." We just kind of sing/read through that part....we get the worship part and the acknowledgement of His deity, etc., but how do we bless His name? Or, we casually throw it around or place it in a song...and it's well intended and rightly used, but I'm not sure we grasp the entirety of what it means to "bless the Lord." Most of the time I think we just use it for a different way of saying "Praise the Lord..." as mentioned above.
I started to just chew on this for the last few days, really trying to understand the breadth of what this means, to Bless Him. It's proclaimed in Deut., Psalms, II Chron., etc., but, I just don't find a whole lot of people "blessing" God in the Bible; there's a whole lot of God blessing people (just do a Biblegateway search of "Bless the Lord" and you'll find out what I mean). So what is it? Well, I think what is referring to falls along the lines of "honoring" or "pleasing" God. I think it points to a respect of who God is and a sincere effort to honor His sovereignty. It goes beyond praise...to honor, fear and reverence. It refers less to an outward action of "praise" and more to a heart connection of knowing and recognizing WHO God is! To me, it feels like a step beyond Praise to total and ultimate humility in understanding God's role as Sovereign Lord. I guess I'm struggling to put it in to words, but hopefully you get the idea. Next time you read Psalm 103-104 or sing "Bless the Lord," dive a little further in to what that means and the intensity of that phrase.
Awesome God
By: Brett Larson
6/8/09
One of the original go-to worship choruses...ever wonder how may times that song ("Awesome God") has been sung in churches throughout the World? I bet it's in the millions....
While I love that song, I don't like that it has been so overused, no one's fault, it's just that it can lose its impact and just become mere words to just another overplayed song. But, when I read those words rather than sing them, I'm reminded of how great they are. "Our God is an Awesome God, He reigns on heaven and earth with wisdom, power and love our God is an awesome God!"
This morning I read Habakkuk 3. I was again reminded, timely so, that God is so incredible and mighty. We hear news of journalists being detained in N. Korea, of Iran and N. Korea and nuclear weapons. We wonder how we are going to ensure our safety...and fear of the future begins to set in. Habakkuk 3 reminds us that God is THE sole source of power, nothing, nobody, nohow even comes close. Habakkuk 3:13 says "You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot. Selah." God's timing is perfect, His plan is righteous and His heart is pure. We can trust Him, we can count on His character and we can trust His Divine interest in our personal future. It's relieving!
Rest in His omnipotence! He doesn't miss anything and He has the power to direct the paths of men...rulers, etc.
HOLY MACRO
By: Brett Larson
6/3/09
Have you ever said that? "Holy Macro" What does that mean? I guess its intent is to describe something suprisingly incredible or overwhelmingly big. Macro is usually a prefix designed to ascribe the big picture or large scale to something. Macroecononmics (vs. microeconomics)....macrobiology (vs. microbiology), etc.
Recently, on a flight from Baltimore to Buffalo, the cloud cover was such that I could clearly see the earth below as we flew. I couldn't help but think of the millions of people, trees, animals, etc. that we were passing by. Every person we flew over has a story, a host of circumstances (good or bad) that they deal with, a family....stresses, etc. Yet, amazingly, God knows every single detail of their life. More than they even know...knows their future, even the number of hairs on their head (Matt. 10:29-30). The whole thought was paradoxal to me. In a way, I felt small and insignificant looking at the carpet of earth beneath...yet, I felt increadibly significant in that God cares for me individually and loves me more than anyone does.
God's perfect interest in my eternal well-being is astounding...and humbling. So, how do we begin to thank Him for caring so much? For me, I was convicted to start caring more about the "things" that He cares for. Isn't that normal. You love your parents very much...and they love someone (a sibling), doesn't it make them happy when you love each other. I know I absolutely love it when my boys play together....so, maybe that's how we thank Him. By loving the "macro" of humanity...reaching as many as we can. Having a missional purpose to our life, our church, etc.
Gettin' Serious
By: Brett Larson
6/1/09
I heard a great message this morning by Allistar Begg (9am on WDCX). He was talking about how we've become less "serious" or committed to reflecting and meditating on our spiritual lives. In the effort to become more focused on the internal and steer away from legalistic rituals...we've also lost sight of the value of disciplined reflection. For instance, we hear a great sermon, it speaks truth in to our hearts...we walk out the church doors, turn on secular radio and/or go home to watch football. Allistar was remembering back to when he was a boy. On Sundays, the day was spent in reflection and was free from distraction. He also admitted his own failure in fulfilling that in the present day, although it seems as if he has a renewed committment to re-focusing in that direction. I must admit a recent conviction along those same lines...after several years of owning season tickets to the NFL, I have decided to give them up this year. I would always be in church and involved in church ministry on Sundays...but, then instantly switch to "game-mode," rushing out of church to make it before kick-off. I'm not sure that was the best use of reflection on what God had done (or was attempting to do) in my life, or my family's lifes. In my life, I'm really starting to strive to recognize what God is trying to do in me. "God, where am I wrong on this?" Or "How could I handle this situation better?" "What are you trying to teach me through this?" etc. I don't expect that everyone should have the same convictions that I do, but I do want to encourage you to intentionally become more reflective regarding your personal Bible study and your Pastor's preaching. God's Word says that preaching is the way that He "brings His Word to light"... "leading to godliness" (Titus 1:1-3).
Brett Larson is Station Manager of WDCX and has been a part of WDCX ever since he was a young boy. In 1993, Brett officially began his Christian radio career as a part-time board operator with WDCX, as he worked during his Summers home from college. During that time, Brett attended Liberty University and achieved a Bachelor's degree in Communications while "minoring" in Theology. Brett attended Liberty on a singing scholarship, he traveled throughout the US and Canada and went on short-term mission trips to The Philippines, China (smuggling Bibles), Hong Kong, Alaska and Hawaii. After returning from Virginia, he began his full-time work with WDCX as an Account Executive and then grew to Sales Manager and now, Station Manager. While working full-time, Brett also obtained an M.B.A. in order to help lead WDCX and continue its growth and mission. Brett and his wife, Kim, have two little boys and they enjoy serving together in their local church.
