Category: Uncategorized

In light of many of us being stuck inside of our homes, I decided to do something fun tonight and perform a live (but virtual) concert. The video is below (If you reading this in your e-mail, you will need to go to the actual page to see the video). Lyrics are below as well for each song I performed.

Reminisce
You know what I miss? Making music
We used to stay up all night just to break the booth in
Back when I was Triple Nine just trying to keep the fuse lit
We had a whole crew of people kind of like a movement
Wilson, DJ, Jeff, Richie, Westly, Nick usually
We’d turn the speakers up and rap – what were we doing?
Nobody knows, we’d just tried to flow
We were making memories I guess we met that goal
Do you recall the fort?
We did things I can’t say when I hit record
Me and DJ discovered it when we were bored
It was hidden in some trees but I can’t say no more
We kept it hidden from the world, that was the norm
The abandoned house on the corner, that was the door
Though the house is gone, memories remain
I think it’s time to go back, what do yall say?

Downward Mobility
[Chorus]
If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

[Verse 1]
You see judgment, it begins with the church
Quit pointing fingers at the world as if your sin didn’t hurt

The reputation of the King who has given you worth
So live in my words and repent of the works

The way we idolize success is an evident curse
Because #blessed is for the poor & the hurt

Not the rich Americans who just want more of the perks
Of the radical consumerism that ruins the church

It’s like we’re drinking poison we join in our own death
And we even have the nerve to complain when it’s all a mess

I have a guess – God’s not impressed
With the popular press or the lobby that’s flexed

Or the money that’s spent to keep you running ahead
Just to have a good brand when you’re spirituallly dead

You can have the greatest band while appearing to be fed
But we need humble leaders who are fearing what He said

[Chorus]
If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

[Verse 2]
Who is greatest? That’s the question that they asked
So he called a child and made him step into their path

The greatest in the Kingdom are the ones who rep the fact
That they are insignificant the ones that we’re sending back

It’s the weak whom he seeks do you believe that?
I know we all nod our heads even in the back

But our actions betray what we really think
You see the ladder of success will make you sink

But we lift it all up like it’s the greatest thing
But my Savior sings, about a servant life

Yeah you heard the Light but do you really worship right
I know that we’ve been purchased by the King, but are we blind?

Cuz we try to strive, but it’s kind of like
Holding dynamite that’s been lit by the sin inside

So we begin to die, lifting up the pride
So let’s return to the only King & lift Him high

[Chorus]
If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

On My Grind
I’m grinding, do you know what that means?
You can find me in the studio killing a beat
I dare you to find a rapper that’s iller than me
Cuz I got passion I’m smashing everything that I see
It’s what happens when I snap and attack when I breathe
You thought that you’d laugh cuz I’m a Christian emcee
Expected me to be corny cuz I live for the King
Well you can find me recording and I’ll give what I bleed!
I don’t think you understand
You see impossibilities I see a plan
You ain’t feeling me that’s okay cuz I can’t
Be someone wearing a mask so Imma tear up a track
I ain’t scared of your laugh, so bring your best insults
I will succeed because I see that it’s all mental
And I know a King that I believe will never let go
So Imma breathe while I bleed through this pencil

I remember sitting inside of a basement
I was a pre-teen using words to paint this
Bumping Eminem wishing I could replace him
To be the next rapper that’s after the same sin
I studied rhyme schemes while you were on play station
Hours on the web so I could set I how I say things
I learned how to rap from the net, yeah it’s amazing
Now you know I’m back as a vet and I’m gonna break in
Half the rappers in the local scene
Can’t use a multisyllable to hold a beat
I really flow it so complete
But when I do it they get to booing I know the beast
When I mention Jesus they don’t hold the peace
If I kept Him out of it I guarantee you’d roll with me
But that won’t happen I’m laughing at all these cold Gs
While these rappers smoke weed I’m grinding ’till you know me

Yeah, this is what I do
Got a full time job and I’m going to school
But I stay on my grind so I’m showing the truth
I still kill a rhyme when I flow in the booth

I grind…

It’s something you ain’t ever seen
I’m aggressive with a message when I wreck the beat
I had depression but I left it with a melody
So music is my medicine step in if I pretend to be
Someone that I’m not, I’m my own worse enemy
A workaholic at times without a remedy
But when I yell it in rhyme my God will tend to me
Or else the penalty is for me to burn mentally
I’m working harder than the rest, wait let me see
It’s not me working but the grace inside of me
So till I RIP, I’m gonna try to be
Bearing fruit for the glory of my only King

Peace of Mind
Verse 1 (Tyler Ramsbey)
It’s been awhile since I picked up a pen
To write a whole song people wondering where I’ve been
Well listen up… While I’m staring at them
I’ve been, in a place where the pain won’t end
I’ve struggled with, bitterness I didn’t wanna repent
Been on my knees before God saying this gotta end
I said I quit through the tears I didn’t know what to pray
But thank, you that you intercede in my place
It’s all grace, I’ve been so forgiven
Yet I cling to my sin and I choke on venom
At my best, I’m a broken Christian
Yet I know you listen and You hold me with Him
I don’t get it though, why did you bring me low?
Why did you bring all the stress and press on my bitter soul
Invisible, is how I felt when I was miserable
I finna go, to my God cuz I’m minimal, listen though

Chorus (Sean Divine)
Thanks for giving me peace of mind
You were always there for me lately
You’ve been given me all this time
Even when I thought I might go crazy
The stress of my mind let it all fade away
No time to waste just thankful for another day
(X2)

Verse 2 (Tyler Ramsbey)
If you know Christ then you know peace
If there’s no Christ then there’s no peace
So please… focus
‘Cuz the day is coming that you will be broken
As long as you are walking on the earth you are homeless
What I mean is by the King you’ve been purchased
But in the eyes of the world you are worthless
So don’t be surprised cuz the fires are certain
You may even die but your life’s for purpose
And not even death can make you step out of worship
Every breath that you get you don’t deserve it
So it’s urgent, you stay alert with
All diligence while His peace guards your mind
Release all your lies, He is alive
Tell em Jesus is God, your freedom He bought
So let’s cling to the Rock and sing that we got the peace that won’t stop!

Chorus (Sean Divine)
Thanks for giving me peace of mind
You were always there for me lately
You’ve been given me all this time
Even when I thought I might go crazy
The stress of my mind let it all fade away
No time to waste just thankful for another day
(X2)

Verse 3 (Tyler Ramsbey)
It surpasses all understanding
And we know that we know that we’ll never be abandoned
You are the Father, we are your family
We are the heirs of Christ we keep standing

It surpasses all understanding
And we know that we know that we’ll never be abandoned
You are the Father, we are your family
We are the heirs of Christ we keep standing

This Sunday (and for the foreseeable future) we will be meeting online for our church services. Rather than using Facebook Live as we have done in the past, we are experimenting with Zoom (see previous post). We are designing this service in such a way that it will be as close as possible to being in the same room together.

For more information on how we are doing this, check out the video below. All are invited to join us! The great thing about this technology is you can join from anywhere in the world and be part of Renovation Church for the next few weeks as we continue our series through the Book of Acts.

(If you are reading this in your e-mail, you will need to go to the actual page to see the video).

The CDC has recommended to cancel gatherings of 50 people or more. President Trump has recommended to cancel gatherings of 10 people or more. In our desire to be not only obedient to the Government that God has placed over us but to love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not be meeting for a physical church service this Sunday (that’s the bad news).

When it comes to difficult seasons of uncertainty in our personal lives – or in the life of the church – we can either view them as an insurmountable obstacle or as an opportunity. We are choosing to view this time as an opportunity to connect with even more people to share the message of the Gospel – especially with those who would not regularly attend church.

This Sunday, we will be offering an online but fully interactive church service via Zoom. This is different than Facebook Live – Facebook Live essentially limits a church service to a talking head and there is very little interaction. Zoom, on the other hand, is a teleconference platform that allows up to 100 people to join a “virtual room” simultaneously.

The service for Renovation Church will be this Sunday at 10am via this Zoom platform. The really cool benefit is you can join us at Renovation Church from anywhere in the world for this service. The even better part is how easy it is. You can join in one of two ways:

1. Via your Computer: You will be able to join the service via your computer by clicking a link and downloading a small plug-in. This will take about 15 seconds and then you will be with us in the virtual church service.
2. Via your Phone: If you aren’t comfortable with technology, you can actually call a phone number to join the meeting. This is completely free of charge. You won’t be able to see anything, of course, but you will hear the audio live and can interact during the service.

In addition, my goal is to host various online gatherings throughout the week for the purpose of prayer, mutual encouragement, and studying the Scriptures. These will all be fully interactive and you will be able to join via your computer or phone through the Zoom platform.

All are invited to join us! If you’d like to join us this Sunday, click the event below and mark “Going.” I will be posting the details on Sunday morning on how to join for the service.

Online Gathering/Service (Renovation Church)

Hey everyone!

As many of you know, I do a weekly video podcast for the communities of Garretson, Dell Rapids, and Pipestone. Each week I sit down with a community member or business owner to get them a free platform to share what they are passionate about and to make each of these communities a better place to live.

I have recently launched a website to take the podcast to the next level. My hope is to begin monetizing the podcast in order to pay for some of the regular expenses. I travel to each person’s place of work and have invested close to $5,000 into the podcast. For the past three years, I have done this on a volunteer basis.

This may change, but my hope is to continue to do the podcast free of charge with those that I meet and to not rely on ad revenue. Instead, if you feel that the podcast has been beneficial to you or your community, you can donate to offset some of these expenses on the website.

So, do me a favor – explore the website and share it on social media. Thank you!

http://www.bluelightpodcast.com

 

Might turn this into a full song. Wanted to write and record a quick verse reminiscing on some things. Enjoy!

(If you are reading this in your e-mail, you need to go to the actual page to hear the music).

Download Here

Lyrics
You know what I miss? Making music
We used to stay up all night just to break the booth in

Back when I was Triple Nine just trying to keep the fuse lit
We had a whole crew of people kind of like a movement

Wilson, DJ, Jeff, Richie, Westly, Nick usually
We’d turn the speakers up and rap – what were we doing?

Nobody knows, we’d just tried to flow
We were making memories I guess we met that goal

Do you recall the fort?
We did things I can’t say when I hit record

Me and DJ discovered it when we were bored
It was hidden in some trees but I can’t say no more

We kept it hidden from the world, that was the norm
The abandoned house on the corner, that was the door

Though the house is gone, memories remain
I think it’s time to go back, what do yall say?

I am currently reading through the book “Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures” by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones. Martin Lloyd-Jones lived from 1899 to 1981. He started his career as a medical doctor but ended up spending over thirty years in pastoral ministry. All of his writing – but this book in particular – do an excellent job of diagnosing conditions of the soul with the care and expertise of a medical doctor.

Chapter fourteen addresses spiritual depression that is the result of being “weary in well doing.” The text that grounds this chapter is Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” In modern terminology, Martin Lloyd-Jones is addressing the topic of burnout – especially in regards to one’s faith and Christian life. I thought his observations were so excellent I wanted to distill the major aspects of the chapter on my blog – both for my own reminder and hopefully to help you as the reader.

First, Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones begins by providing three “negatives” – three things NOT to do when weary and spiritually exhausted:

1. Do Not Give Up!
“There is a great temptation that comes at this point. You say: ‘I am weary and tired, the thing is too much for me.’ And there is nothing to say at this point but this negative – do not listen. You always have to start with these ‘don’ts’ on the very lowest level; and that is the lowest level. You must say to yourself: ‘Whatever happens I am going on’. You do not give in or give way.

2. Do Not Resign Yourself/Lose Hope!
“While there are people who hand in their resignations and say, ‘I am quitting’, that is not so with the majority. The danger of the majority at this point is just to resign themselves to it and to lose heart and to lose hope. They will go on, but they go on in this hopeless, dragging condition.” 

3. Do Not Self-Medicate!
“Many a man has ended a drunkard who started by taking a little alcohol to help him to carry on; and people take to drugs and various other things in precisely the same way… I have seen people in the church dealing with this general spiritual weariness in that very way. They work up some kind of excitement or they adopt new methods… Can you not think of certain churches that are always putting out some fresh announcements or finding some new attraction? Such churches are obviously living on artificial stimulants and it’s all being done with this idea in mind.”

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In the next blog post, we will look at the 5 activities the doctor prescribes to bring about healing and rest from this type of spiritual exhaustion. As always, if there is something I can be praying about for you, or if you simply need to talk, please reach out. You can leave a comment or send me an e-mail at tyler@renovationchurchsd.com 

 

Hey everyone! I decided to start out 2020 by writing, recording, and mastering an original (and free) song about Jesus’ teaching on greatness. The song is below. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. If you enjoy it, do me a favor and share it on social media!

(If you are reading this in your e-mail, you may need to go to the actual page to hear the song).

Download Free

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Instrumental: Sean Divine
Lyrics: Tyler Ramsbey
Vocals: Tyler Ramsbey
Mixing/Mastering: Tyler Ramsbey

[Chorus]
If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

[Verse 1]
You see judgment, it begins with the church
Quit pointing fingers at the world as if your sin didn’t hurt

The reputation of the King who has given you worth
So live in my words and repent of the works

The way we idolize success is an evident curse
Because #blessed is for the poor & the hurt

Not the rich Americans who just want more of the perks
Of the radical consumerism that ruins the church

It’s like we’re drinking poison we join in our own death
And we even have the nerve to complain when it’s all a mess

I have a guess – God’s not impressed
With the popular press or the lobby that’s flexed

Or the money that’s spent to keep you running ahead
Just to have a good brand when you’re spirituallly dead

You can have the greatest band while appearing to be fed
But we need humble leaders who are fearing what He said

[Chorus]
If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

[Verse 2]
Who is greatest? That’s the question that they asked
So he called a child and made him step into their path

The greatest in the Kingdom are the ones who rep the fact
That they are insignificant the ones that we’re sending back

It’s the weak whom he seeks do you believe that?
I know we all nod our heads even in the back

But our actions betray what we really think
You see the ladder of success will make you sink

But we lift it all up like it’s the greatest thing
But my Savior sings, about a servant life

Yeah you heard the Light but do you really worship right
I know that we’ve been purchased by the King, but are we blind?

Cuz we try to strive, but it’s kind of like
Holding dynamite that’s been lit by the sin inside

So we begin to die, lifting up the pride
So let’s return to the only King & lift Him high

[Chorus]
If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

If you want to go up, you need to go down
Downward mobility is the way to the crown
If you want to be great, you need to be a slave
It’s the weakest in the Kingdom who are destined to reign.

What comes to mind when you think of the person of God?

For some, the only image that comes to mind is an angry deity determined to cast his enemies into a lake of fire. For others, God is a vague idea that is defined by a human definition of love. For others, especially Christians, God brings forth images and descriptions of supernatural power. God is transcendent, holy, and glorious; the Creator and Sustainer of all creation by the power of His Word.

As I prepare for my Christmas Eve message at Renovation Church, the Holy Spirit highlighted for me a small (but significant) part of the Christmas story – Jesus was born as a baby.

Okay.

I know you don’t find that amazing and it’s a detail you already know, but hang with me for a minute.

Many Jews in the first century were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Jewish Savior. Before Jesus (and after him) many arose from within the ranks of the Jewish people and proclaimed themselves to be the long-awaited Messiah. The Jewish people were under the control and reign of the marvelous Roman Empire. The Jews were forced to pay extravagant taxes, honor the emperor as the son of the gods, and submit their worship of the God of Israel to the laws of Rome.

But they had hope.

They believed the ancient Scriptures promised that God would send a divine warrior-king to set His people free and set up a theocracy on earth; elevating the Jewish people to a place of power, honor, and glory allowing them to crush those who oppress them. For many ancient rabbis, the belief was that the Messiah would simply show up on the scene, fully grown. The reason for this belief is that the Jewish people in the first century, like us, viewed God as supernatural, powerful, and glorious beyond words (which is all true).

Babies don’t really fit the picture.

But God, through his own sovereign choice, chose to enter into the mess of humanity as a helpless baby born in a manger. The scene was so incredibly ordinary that even the shepherds would have missed the significance of it if the birth wasn’t accompanied by a chorus of angels proclaiming the praises of this unique yet ordinary baby boy.

So… why does all of this matter?

Many of us do not hear the voice of God or behold His glory because we are looking in the wrong places. The majority of God’s people in the first century rejected Jesus because He didn’t fit their expectations. They expected a Savior who would conquer by killing his enemies; instead, they got a Savior who conquered by allowing his enemies to kill him. They expected a warrior-king who would simply “appear” fully grown and ready for war; instead, they received a helpless baby born to two teenage parents in the small town of Bethlehem.

One of my favorite stories from the Old Testament is about the prophet Elijah (whom we named our son after). After an incredible victory over the false prophets of his day, Elijah was beyond depleted and exhausted. He was on the run and fearful of losing his life. In the midst of his spiritual depression, God instructs Elijah to stand on a mountain and wait for the glory of God to be revealed. First, an incredible wind storm shattered parts of the mountain – a terrifying sight for this prophet – but the text says God was not in the wind. After the wind, Elijah felt the earth below his feet begin to move and heave with a great violence; the foundations of the earth trembled from a mighty earth quake – but God was not in the earthquake. Suddenly, out of seemingly thin air, a terrifying and consuming fire appeared before Elijah. Surely, Elijah must have thought, God is in the fire because that’s how he appeared to Moses… but God was not in the fire.

Wind… Earthquakes… Fire… All miraculous, terrifying, and powerful signs of God’s power but God was not found in any of them. Finally, Elijah heard a still small voice – an almost silent whisper; and He discovered God.

As you prepare for Christmas my challenge for you is to wake up to the ordinary whispers of the extraordinary God in your life. Reject the commercialized busyness, slow down, and seek to hear God’s voice through Scripture, nature, family, and silence.