Lonnie's World

My Return to the Blogworld

2009-10-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

For the past year or so, I decided that I would try starting my own website (www.lonnie-smith.com). It was fun, and exciting for a while. But after the initial awesomeness of designing a website, it begins to be just another blog. So I decided that I would save a few bucks and return to the tried and true blogger blog thing I had going on. So here we go!
get excited.

I So Hate Consequences

2009-04-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

It seems that I have been neglecting my blog lately. There is nothing new about that though.

I guess I have been waiting on some divine message to descend upon me so that I could create some uber deep post. Alas nothing along those lines has arrived. I will now proceed to ramble.

I have been getting dangerously close to the "burn out" level lately. It seems as though I have underestimated college and its workload. As of right now I am still going to be ok when it comes to grades.

The biggest news I think I have is that there is a new Relient K album coming out soon. This is oh so exciting. The updates can be found on their podcast. Check it out.

Also the Braves won their opening night game against Philly. I am hoping that this will be on of the best seasons in a while. Hopefully better than last year.

I feel I have sufficiently rambled tonight. For now at least. Who knows I may post another blog. It isn't like anyone even reads this haha.

I am going to go and try to read for English tomorrow. I have the strangest feeling that we are going to have a test.

Peace

Lonnie

Ramblings on Relationships Pt. 1

2009-02-17T19:40:00.000-08:00

Relationships are funny things. The subject of relationships have been thrown in our faces so much the past few weeks with Valentine's Day being this past Saturday and all. So of course all the focus is put on romantic relationships. I suppose they are important. There are so many relationships that we build all the time, with everyone in our lives. Often times we have a pretty skewed view on different relationships. Friendships become competitions, romantic relationships become engrossed in materialistic ideal, pride destroys family bonds; the list could go on and on forever. We as humans drop the ball in the relationship department.

I am by no means an expert when it comes to relationships. I screw up a lot. So do know that I'm definitely talking to myself mostly here. But, from what limited knowledge God has allowed me to posses I have noticed a few things.

On the subject of romantic relationships. It is imperative that we make the focus of our relationships Christ-centered. It becomes so easy today to just let everything become about mushy gooey feelings and emotions, and worst of all: things. Yes things. It has become about getting getting getting and giving giving giving the biggest and best gifts and what not. Now like I said, I am far from an expert. There are two questions that I think we can use to examine our romantic relationships. First: Is this relationship bringing glory to God? Second: If the relationship were to end now, would both people involved be closer to God than when the relationship began? I know they seem simple. But I suppose it is something to think about.

Also love is a verb people. You can say love with your words all you'd like, and even with some superficial actions, but what really matters is how you really show someone you love them. How you love with a selfless love. Love them more than yourself. Show them in how you act, in how you speak to them, and to others, how you treat your parents, in everything. You should always reflect the love of Christ in all that you do. Romantic relationships are no different. They are actually the example Christ used to illustrate how he loves his church.

I am quite sorry for the scatteredness of my thoughts on this facet of relationships. It is something that I am very, not experienced in. I guess what the gist of everything is that our dating lives should be a mirror into our relationship with God. It is important that we take a good long look at any relationship we are about to enter into and really examine it, hold it up to scripture, even ask other people whom you trust to give their advice. Also, it wouldn't hurt to actually have a list of things you want in a guy/girl and have some "non negotiables" that you just can't compromise on. I just feel that dating should be something that we take more seriously, especially if everything we are to do is to reflect on God. So many times the place where individuals compromise their morals and values is in the dating area. It must change.

That is all.

Lonnie

Romans 12:2

P.S. My girlfriend rocks.

such great heights

2009-01-21T21:09:00.000-08:00

'criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing'

-aristotle

criticism comes. it always has and always will. this can be a hard pill to swallow. as a christian we are told time and time again that criticism will come even more often. i know it has been for me in my life. no matter how well you think you are doing, someone, somewhere has something to say, something to pick apart about what you did. what really stinks is when the criticism comes from someone you really care about.

what stinks even more than that i when this person coming after you, is coming after you for all the wrong reasons. often times though that is what happens.

when i found aristotle's quote at the top it really just caused me to start thinking. to do some hardcore thinking. i guess we just to continue doing what we feel we need to. to keep seeking Christ, and let the rest of the stuff take care of itself. we have to learn to deal with the criticism. the awesome thing is that Christ wants to take care of that burden.

so amazing.

on a side note. i missed two classes today. and came extremely close to sleeping through another japanese class.

pray that i survive this semester.

peace

lonnie

Plug in Baby

2009-01-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

What a day this has been. It started much earlier than days should. Six thirty just isn't good for me. But no matter, I got up and packed the car, kissed my mother and sister goodbye, and set off for Clemson. Saying goodbye, for me at least, is hard every time. Now it is much easier to deal with, but it is still difficult.

Anywho. As I drove, I started by sining very loudly until I reached Florence, just to ensure that I was actually awake. For a lot of the remaining three hours I prayed and thought about my up coming interview. The interview being to get on staff at Summersalt. I was really nervous the whole time riding back, and in the time leading up to it. But, everything ended up working out just wonderfully, and I feel I did my best, which is the most I could ask for.

I have absolutely nothing of any importance to say today. No Lonnie-isms...

Nothing

Terribly sorry.

I can suggest listening to Muse.

Peace

Lonnie

Nostalgiatopia

2009-01-17T21:07:00.000-08:00

I guess being going off to college is kind of a big deal. Its a big step in life. I guess it is normal that as you reach different pinnacles in life you not only learn more an more new things about yourself, but you also take a lot more time to sit back and reflect on where you have been; all that you have been through.

The past few days I have found myself looking back more and more. The video above is the intro to one of my favorite cartoons as a kid. As I have looked back, I realized how priviledged I am to have grown up when I did. During the era of some great television. I had Power Rangers, Double Dragon, Beetleborgs, Tiny Toons, Duck Tales, Swat Kats, Street Sharks, and I could go on and on. I won't because it is pretty useless to ramble on about old cartoons.

I guess the real thing that has caught my attention is that these shows are now considered "old". That is crazy. The music that I grew up to, the television, video games, all of that is old now. I guess that happens to everyone, but it is just a surreal feeling to think about. I now want everyone to take a moment and reflect on just how old you are.

The Mesopotamians

2009-01-15T19:08:00.000-08:00

There are some things in life that you just never get over. Personally, the fact that every morning I wake up in the place I've dreamed of since i was four blows me away everyday. Like right now, I can just make my way to a nearby window and see Death Valley. How cool is that? And the people here are just amazing. All the new friends, and new experiences I've been able to share with those people, it is almost surreal sometimes. When I go home, I can go home to a family that loves me, and whom I love. To a church that everyone knows my name. To a place that loves me. Now when I go back I am going back to an absolutely amazing girl. There are just so many things in my life that, ten years ago, I would have never thought i would have had. Goodness, even a device made of metal and a little plastic is holding like over 6,000 songs that i can listen to absolutely anywhere. It is so amazing.

But the most amazing thing in my life, the thing that I can't begin to wrap my mind around, and that I hope I never ever get over; the fact that God, the God that created the world, everything you see, can possibly call me friend. It makes no sense. I shouldn't be able to pray right now and have the same being that rules over everything, that conquered death, Hell, and the grave listen to every word I say. He knows the hairs on my head. Thats absolutely insane. It defies every ounce of logic I could place together. Its really not fair. I don't deserve it. But in the words of my good friend Matt Theissen, "The beauty of grace is that it makes life unfair." Wonderfully put if I do say so myself.

I guess the reason all of this popped into my mind is because we listened to a group of students at BCM who went to China over the Christmas holiday. After hearing their stories, I felt a huge burden to be more direct and initiate more when it comes to telling others about Christ. I'm too blessed not too. To whom much is given much is expected. So God obviously has a lot he wants me to do. Its scary putting yourself out there, but I just can't settle for anything else. God deserves more than that.

Peace

Lonnie

Romans 12:2

Lukewarm Sprite

2009-01-13T19:46:00.000-08:00

It is absolutely amazing how God works things out, or well how he places things in our path daily that like, lead us to him. It is crazy how you will receive different little "sermons" from Him when you are actively seeking him, and when you yearn to know him more. What is even more amazing is when He weaves all these clues together with a central theme or motif that really just radiates through each situation.

For almost a year, God has really been beating me over the head with this one idea. It seems like every book I read, every conversation, sermon, almost anything, it all either directly or indirectly in my mind goes back to this idea of love. Even today in English, my professor was talking about the word love. There is only one word for love in the English language; that being love. In other languages though, like Latin, there are like seven or eight, and even in some languages almost a hundred words used to describe different kinds of love. I guess what I am saying is that so many times we trivialize love. We love the new Brittany Spears song, we love our dog, we love our significant other, and we love our God. Love is something we don't take seriously anymore.

I've decided to change that. In my life at least. As I've stated before, I recently read the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It is an amazing book and I recommend it to anyone. It has really challenged me to fall in love with Christ. As I journey to this passionate love for Christ, one that is unlike we see now-a-days, I have realized that if I want to fall in love with Christ, and love like Christ, that I needed to have love for those around me, for everything around me. I really want to become better at loving others; really, really loving them. It is hard, but it really changes things when you set out to do it.

I think that is about all for my ramblings for tonight. Until next time, I bid thee farewell.

Peace,

Lonnie

monday night/tuesday morning

2009-01-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

I really have to stop staying up so late every night. It is beginning to become a problem. Today I missed my 8:00 Japanese class. I suppose sitting on my computer at ten till two isn't going to help a whole lot either.

So I guess today got started on the wrong foot (me missing my Japanese class and all). As the day progressed though, it did continue to get better and better. Well, it slowly got better. My next class, frisbee sports, I made a complete idiot out of myself. I was under the impression that people took the class to get familiar at frisbee sports, but in fact they take because they are awesome, and want to play with other people who are just as awesome as they are (i.e. not Lonnie). My last class, creative genius, was pretty fun. I got to listen to people far smarter than me talk about things that I would have never thought to talk about. It was very very interesting.

So after all the blah blah school stuff came the real fun. Or well awesomeness. First of all my BCM Bible study leader is absolutely amazing. He is a wonderful man of God, who has a tremendous passion for Christ. Even though he is only a junior, he is much more mature in his faith than a lot of adult Christians from home. Anyway, Jason (our leader), decided that he wanted to add a facet to the set Bible study plans, a section about being a godly man. And well, the discussion that we had today was absolutely what i needed. Everything said seemed to apply to my life. We discussed church involvement, the roles of males, relationships with other males and with females (romantic relationships, not surprisingly, took up a majority of our discussion), and even with dealing with authority. We were giving some materials and such, but really the most valuable thing was the discussion. The guys in that room were completely real. It was so awesome to see people so open, and humble about things that for so long i thought you didn't even bring up at church. It was an amazing day.

Now there were many other things that happened today, such as a little Halo playing, and NCAA '09 playing, and even eating dinner with a friend and just talking. I have been blessed beyond comprehension and I am truly thankful for all that i have.

until next time.

Lonnie

sunday night rambling

2009-01-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

So the first like half week of school has finished. What a week it has been. It is going to be an amazing semester. It is going to be challenging, more challenging than the last for several reasons. I think i should end up with fairly good grades.

anyway though. i have had some crazy stuff on my mind lately. my mind has just been going nonstop. but it has been good. it is getting late though, so i will have to expound on these thoughts later.

konban wa

lonnie

The New Year and Such

2008-12-31T22:57:00.000-08:00

So, we are about two years into 2009. What a year it has been thus far. This past year was a big year for me I guess you would say, what with me graduating and all, starting college, and many other things. All in all though it was a great year for me. It was one in which i probably grew more than i have in any year in the past. Even now as we speak, or as a i type i should say, i'm in a motel in jacksonville, florida preparing for the gator bowl tomorrow between my clemson tigers and the nebraska cornhuskers. I guess that is rather trivial. Many steps in the direction of adulthood have been taken this year (albeit i'm still far far from an adult). There have been lots of struggles and hard times, but i have been able to make it through; only through the help of Christ. It has been a year of new experiences, new people, relationships, places, feelings, food, and many other things, and i just hope that as i continue on this journey so aptly named life, and continue to encounter these things, i can do so with pride and confidence because i know that i am a friend of God, and He calls me friend. Nuff said :-)

I must be off to bed so i can get an early start to watch the tigers shuck some corn[huskers].

Peace

Lonnie

Update

2008-12-02T17:35:00.000-08:00

Goodness I love how I go almost two months without updating this bad boy, but I suppose now would be just a wonderful time to do that. So I think I shall. We are in the midst of the final week of classes of my first semester at Clemson. Its kind of crazy to think about, but it is indeed true. It has been a pretty crazy semester, but I think that I am finally getting the used to the whole college thing. Next semester my schedule looks to be rather interesting. Its going to look a little something like this:

I'm pretty excited to see how it goes...

Hopefully I will remember to update this thing more often.

Peace
Lonnie

New Realization while watching this debate...

2008-10-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

Obama is also left-handed...
It isn't looking good for us either way...

I Noticed Something Watching the Debate...

2008-10-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

John McCain is left-handed.
According to my calculations, if you are a left handed president, you have a 33% chance of either being assassinated or impeached. How about that for statistics that matter.

Humility

2008-10-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

So, today's study at BCM was on humility. It really hit me hard. Just how that even though I don't always do boastful things, I often times do do things in a way that would bring me honor. This, as we all know, is wrong. We just spent some time talking about God's version of greatness compared to the world's version. It was just some food for thought. Especially since, as college students, we are constantly encouraged to make choices that will benefit us, and help further our career, and lead to wealth and all that jazz. So, it was just a wonderful time of fellowship.

On the school front. Well, I forgot to do a few things tonight, which in turn lead to me staying up until 12:30. But thats ok, I'm a college student thats what we do. School is, well, school. Nothing amazingly exciting. Well, I do have all As on my midterm so thats good I suppose. Hopefully I can keep it up. We shall see.

It is late. I am tired.

Peace
Lonnie
Romans 12:2

pardon me

2008-09-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

I totally couldn't think of a clever title. I guess thats ok. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Some may argue the efficiency of my wit has departed a long time ago. Now whether or not that is true would of course be completely subjective. And there simply is no room for that here.

Anywho.

I don't really have anything to report today. Oh, other than Josh and I hit up Fike for a little fitness training, workout, stuff. Some girls challenged us to a 2x2 basketball game. We lost. But that is ok. We had fun.

Well tis all I have at the moment. I thought about not putting anything up. But I'm like, dude you created a blog and only have two blogs? But I'm done...

sorry to waste your time :-p

Lonnie
Romans 12:2

Are We Really In Love?

2008-09-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks God has really been working like double time in my life. Through various Bible studies, sermons, messages, podcasts, songs, Waffle House visits, and virtually anything else you can thing of, God has just been pounding this point over, and over, and over. And it is this question: Do you really love me? This seems like a simple enough question, with a simple enough answer. That answer being, "uh duh God, you rock. Of course I love you." But, really if you think about it, it is a question that requires so much more than that. I guess it has a lot to do with my English class this semester. Its all about rhetoric and argument forming. But, if you or I had to prepare an argument showing how we do indeed love Christ, and how that love is visible to Him, and the world around us, could we do that. Could I do that? I mean really think about that. So I start thinking about all these messages I've been getting through Bible study, and church, and BCM meetings, and there just seems to be a common thread in all of them recently. It has been talking about the church, and how it falls so short when it is examined through the lens of scripture.

I started to think and pray a lot, examine my life, my church, my friends, my like everything. And my heart was broken with just how pathetic of a case I have. Even more heartbreaking is that sometimes I try to cover it up by comparing it to others, but that is a whole different subject. God just kept revealing different things to me, a long and a long. Like how me and so many other believers still rely on others to help feed us. We aren't mature enough to look for answers, and when we do, we don't trust them enough to give them any weight. How stagnant the church is. Just so many things. Then as I was coming home Friday, I was listening to a message on my iPod and it just started talking about the church really, like really being in love with Christ. And as a whole, the church isn't. The American church just has become so complacent. I haven't found anywhere in the Bible where God says, "repent, be baptized, get comfortable, wait to die." Not even close. Christianity is so very radical. At its core it is a rebellious faith. Its one that goes against so many politically correct ideas, and one that requires not only for us to go outside our comfort zone, but for us to pretty much get rid of it. In order for one to receive the passion to do any of this, he has to be in love, madly in love with Christ. There is no way around it. If "passion" comes apart from a love deeply rooted in Christ, then it is all in vain. Not only is it impossible to get this passion w/o being in love, it is impossible to really be in love with Christ, and not have the passion. The two are connected, and cannot be separated.

Having said this. I don't see how it is possible to be a Christian and be comfortable. How you can honestly say you Jesus is lord of your life, and still be complacent. How can you have had gone to church like, any in your life, heard almost any sermon, and not had your heart torn apart because of the state of it? I've been losing sleep, going crazy, all because I know I've got to tighten up. I've realized that it is impossible for me to be in love with Christ and not have your heartbroken by looking at the world around you.

I guess what I'm getting at is this: If we can, in any aspect of our lives, be satisfied with where we are, then are we really in love with Christ?

Back In Tiger Town

2008-08-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

Well I am back in good ole Clemson after a wonderful weekend home. And just completely on a whim I have decided to start an actual blog. I started on for English, but its sole purpose is to turn in work. This one, as you can tell by the very clever name, is intended to take you into the world of Lonnie. It could get very interesting, but hopefully it will be fun. I'm not going to be promising much from this thing. It is more of a test run, just to get my feet wet in the blogging world. So, if you read something that you think is just completely out there, don't say anything mean. But, if you see something that is just amazingly deep or just catches your eye, please by all means let me know. I'll be posting my feelings on, life, faith, music, movies, college, sports, and pretty much anything that creeps its way into my head. Please do keep checking back in, hopefully I won't disappoint.

Peace
Lonnie Smith
Romans 12:2