How the Mighty Have Fallen

How the mighty have fallen In this age of relativity
On the battlegrounds of laziness
The careless have won
With an air of tolerance
The ignorant make peace
Believing in almost anything
While the fearful and weak
Spew their unlawful lies
At anyone who listens
And the innocent fight
Though not as they seem
Digging whitewashed tombs
In seas of green
Scorned by the shrill,
The grand, and the wise
Are those who seek attention
In another's eyes
Here's to the death
Of truth, love; God
Such a year when
The mighty have fallen

A Story on Comfort

Once upon a time, in a land very much like the one outside your window, there was a girl named Hallie. Hallie was your average teenager in the twenty-first century who surfed the net too often, read People magazine, and listened to Rihanna on the radio.

However, one thing made her different than others -she lived on a couch. It wasn't that she didn't have a real home. She did. And it wasn't that she had health issues. She didn't. And it definitely wasn't that the couch was magical or somewhat out of the ordinary. It wasn't. In fact, Hallie's mom had talked of getting rid of it for ages. But the puffy brown couch still sat taunting Hallie whenever she stepped off it to go to school or get something to eat.

So, there Hallie sat most of the time. As days turned to months and summer to winter. There she sat as her brother graduated from high school and her dad got promoted. She knew this couch inside and out. Sometimes, when everyone else was asleep she would turn over its pillows or take them off completely. Yet she would always put them back on and continue to sit.

She sat there through her parents' failed attempts at bribery and her sister's pleas to come play. When her dog got hit by a car, she sat hugging a pillow instead of Sparky. While her sister was on her first date, Hallie swung her feet with thoughts of love. And when a classmate invited her to a party, she went home and sat instead.

And that is where this story ends. On a couch inside a house. There Hallie spent her life.

At least she was comfortable.

Questions On My Mind

- Why can't I get Oxford out of my head, no matter what I do?



- What will it take for me to pass French?


- Who should I invest in this year?


- What do I still have to learn at Taylor?


- Where am I going next?


- Who is coming with me? : )

Dear Taylor Student

Dear Taylor Student (you can put your name here),

As I begin my senior year here in the cornfields, I'm prone to reflect back on what I've learned during my college years so far and look forward to the lessons I'll still learn before I leave. Maybe you are like me, with only one year left to take advantage of Taylor's many opportunities. Or you might be a freshman, like my brother, not knowing what God has in store for your next four years or even the next four days. Whether you fall into one of these categories or find yourself somewhere in between, these are the lessons I hope you and I will both learn before we graduate.


I hope you learn that living life together is much better than living life alone. That in spite of the difficulties that come with relationships, they're worth it. God made us for community. I hope you find that while here on campus. That through meals, wing events, small groups, and spontaneous bursts of energy you will see God in others. That you get a lot out of community and give back even more.


I hope you learn more about who you are while at Taylor. That through getting involved in student leadership you learn how to be a leader. That you figure out where you are going and help others to get there with you. I hope you attend chapels and find a local church. That you might base your identity on Christ alone and not on the brand names of our culture or the stereotypes of society. I hope you challenge yourself daily as a Christ follower, student, classmate, and friend.


I hope you learn what's important to you. Prioritizing well when the busyness of life tries to pull you down. That you place value on what God values and that when the time comes to stand up for your beliefs your faith does not waver. I hope you find what you are passionate about and never let it go. That you use your talents and shape your gifts. And that you live it all to the glory of God.


Most of all, I hope you learn that you are loved. That no matter where you go in life after college, you will never be alone. That whatever problems life throws at you, they aren't nearly as big as the One who created you. I hope you know that this life is not the end. That you learn to live with heaven in mind and take time to see God's beauty while still on earth.


I hope you learn all this and more during your time at Taylor.


Love and blessings as you begin another school year,
Amy

10 Songs That Mean Something

Okay, so it's about time for another list. Since music has been on my mind recently, here are 10 songs that mean something to me (in no particular order).

~ "Plain" by Zoegirl: A good reminder about beauty and self image from my first favorite band ever.


~ "Whenever You Remember" by Carrie Underwood: Here's to my childhood memories and the friends of my past. It was fun while it lasted!


~ "Looking for the Holes" by Ani DiFranco: The perfect inspiration to get off the couch and do something from a poet I admire.


~ "You Found Me" by The Fray: An overplayed plea for help that still puts a smile on my face every time I hear it.


~ "Think of You" by A Fine Frenzy: The song for those in my thoughts, miles away.


~ "A Movie Script Ending" by Death Cab for Cutie: Great road trip song, enough said.


~ "Season" by Jenny and Tyler: Sung by two truly genuine artists who don't get the credit they deserve.


~ "Instead of a Show" by Jon Foreman: I love how Foreman's lyrics come right from Scripture. And this song sums up what I feel about the church most of the time these days.


~ "For My Love" by Bethany Dillon: One of the most honest love songs I've ever heard. Plus, I had to have Bethany on this list for old time's sake.


~ "Thinking Over" by Dana Glover: I've never been in love, but when I am I imagine my thought process will go something like this. It's how I already make all of my other decisions.


So, there you have it. Now I'd like to hear your list.


*Disclaimer: Music is such a huge and influential part of life, we don't always even realize what a major role it plays. Because this is so true in my own life, I had trouble picking only ten songs and there are many more that could be added to this list.*

To the Ones Left Behind

Breathing in

Shapes of you

To fill my empty soul

I love, I long

To cover up

This now familiar hole

Goodbye Colorado

No more mountains for me : (