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Blog Archive
January 15, 2008
So it all comes down to this...
Yesterday marked the last first day of classes I will have in my
college career! I cannot believe I am almost done. While it does seem
a long time coming (5 years, 3 schools), it seems like it just flew
by. Times like these I am always reflective...
I have can now look back and see God's divine hand, guiding me through
each step of this journey. Through these sometimes trying times I have
learned to trust his plan and direction for my life. I would not have
chosen the path God set me on (I never would have thought I'd be
working as a mechanic...I've never been mechanical); yet it was the
best path for me to make me into the person He wants me to be.
The greatest lesson I've been learning recently is the fact that God
knows what I need so much more than I know. Things I thought I would
love or need, never satisfy like the things God brings me or leads me
to. So as I
look back on the past, while looking into the future; my prayer is
that I would continue to learn and grow from every experience I am
given. I have had many over my 5 year, 3 college journey (from water
fights in dorm hallways to dryer rides to learning what it means to be
a man of God) I will cherish them all and anticipate with excitement
what God has in store for me next! My journey continues...
February 10, 2007
My life...as of now...
Last semester ended on a rough note. Instrument flying has proved to be
a challenging undertaking for me. Yet the Christmas break that followed
proved to be just what I needed. I decided not to do anything. Which is
quite different from my schedule now! I spent the break reading several
good book and spending time with my awesome family. It emotionally and
spiritually recharged me. God showed He is still working in me and is
always there to show Himself strong in my weakness.
My
weakness, might be greatly shown in this semester. My schedule consists
of 21 credit hours (6 straight classes on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and
online class, and my flight block), 30 work hours at Falwell Aviation as
an A&P mechanic (this is a huge answer to prayer!), plus the responsibilities
of being a prayer leader on my hall. So needless to say
my time is quite filled throughout the week.
While this may be
one of my hardest semester, I can already tell it's going to be one of
my best. My personal time with my Savior is better than it's ever been.
Knowing He is with me and leading me has given me supernatural joy
through my busy days! I look forward to what He has next for
me...difficult or blissful, He knows what's best and I joy in following
Him along the journey He has me on!
skycaptain9's
Xanga Site
December
22, 2006
Well,
one semester down...hopefully only three more to go.
This semester has been one of my hardest ones so far. Various
circumstances as well as having difficulty learning the intricacies of
instrument flight have caused me to reflect and refocus while I am on
Christmas break now.
It is so easy to lose focus when difficulties arise. Which caused me
to realize I have not had a focus at all. To try and summarize all my
thoughts and emotions at this time would be difficult, yet I believe one quote I heard
recently (of which I cannot remember where I got it) can help. It said
to find out what makes you come alive and do it. For the world doesn't
need more successful people, but people that are alive.
This is what I need to do, let God work out His purpose in me; whether
that's missionary aviation or working as a janitor. It's not about
me...
August
23, 2006
What is the opposite of Love?
Hate, right?....I would say not. I truly believe that the opposite of
hate is...apathy. To simply not care for or even think of a person is
the total opposite of love. This lesson came back for me to learn
again tonight (actually this week).
I have been really stripped of my "security blanket" ever
since I came here to Liberty. I have no idea where I'm going to get
money to pay for college; I have no guarantee of a job; I don't know
when I'm going to graduate; I have no certainty of anything right now;
and I am more dependant on God than any other time. What a beautiful
place this turned out to be!
This "security blanket" of certainty in college had, I
believe, made me apathetic in my walk with the One who loves me more
than I can ever imagine. This apathy is the most dangerous rut to be
in through the journey of Christianity. All this uncertainty is God
saying to me "Let go Brandon" and "Trust Me, I have a
plan for you" "Come back to me and bask in my love for
you."
I haven't been blatantly hating God...but I had become apathetic. God
knew that...and God stripped me of my favorite handholds I grab onto
when things get rough. Yet His hand, scarred yet tender, is reaching
out to be a better stronghold than anything else. I need to get back
to simply loving Him.
My "theme song" for this semester is "A Better
Way" by Downhere (listen to it on my myspace: www.myspace.com/brandonwaggoner).
The chorus goes:
"You
gave everything, and
'I love you' could not be said a
better way."
God
has brought this uncertainty in my life to get me back in love with
Him. It is so hard, yet it is so sweet. Through this fog, He will lead
me...By the Way.
August
16, 2006
Well, I'm here. Liberty that is. You would think that starting over at
your third college would be easy and that I would be used to it. Well,
no...I'm not, and as you read in my latest newsletter I don't take
change easily.
Alot of things have happened in the past couple of days since I've
arrived here on Monday to make me discouraged. I realized I have alot
more credits that I need to graduate than I thought; flight costs are
more expensive than anticipated; and I've spent alot of money today on
books and money on my flight account. All of this I realized tonight
have been clouding my focus. I am so easily discouraged by the
hindrances and challenges that my enemy (and even sometimes God) puts
in my path. I guess I still need to learn that this journey is not
easy. Yeah flight is expensive and there are alot of challenges ahead
of me; BUT God is in control of them all...yeah you hear that alot but
our (my) actions and words say something completely different. Jesus
said his yoke is light. Mine the past couple of days has been
heavy...I think it's time I laid it at His feet and took up His cross
and followed Him...By the Way. Pray
that I will do that...
August
1, 2006
Wow, I really can't believe my web site is up and running! I have been
wanting to do this for a while and now that I've had some time this
summer, I finally did it (with alot of help from my Dad).
I really want to explain the theme of this site. The phrase "by
The Way" has alot more meaning to me than just a cute way to use
my initials; it is the entire direction of my life. You see, it is a
simple choice of which direction and which path you choose to follow.
There are many wide and straight ways, even easier ways; but there is
only one true way that leads to what we really long for. Jesus said it
himself in John 14:6...."I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No man may come unto the Father...but by me." I believe we can
apply this verse to much more than just salvation. That is only the
first step. Jesus is the way for our entire life! This way is
clearly marked out in Scripture. This is the way I want to
go...following Him, down his path...no matter what.
I don't claim to know all there is about what God wants each of his
children to do; and I haven't (believe me!) followed the straight and
narrow my entire life. Yet I know what my heart longs for. It longs to
follow down the same path as the only One who loved me, accepted me,
and saved me...just as I am! I love the song, "The Old
Rugged Cross." My favorite line in that song is what drives me
on: Love
so amazing, so divine, Demands
my soul, my life, my
all! He
deserves all of me! The lest I can do is follow him down His path.
That is all He asks...die to myself and live for Him. A constant
struggle, but one that can be done by steadily going.... By the
Way.
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