Cowboy Church #233

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with their 1950 recording of In the Garden.  This song was written by C. Austin Miles. As well as a hymnist, Austin's hobby was photography. He wrote this song in 1912 while waiting some film to dry in a cold and leaky basement. Miles had discovered earlier that he could read the bible in the red lighting of his darkroom and often did. This day he was reading John 20. He read about how Mary went into the garden to see Jesus' tomb. Her heart was full of sadness, but when she learned that Jesus had overcome the grave she was moved to great joy. This passage moved Miles as he read it, and this song started to come to him. Miles originally intended this song to be an Easter song and for it to be from the point of view of Mary Magdalene. Miles would later say about this song, “This is not an experience limited to a happening almost 2,000 years ago. It is the daily companionship with the Lord that makes up the Christian’s life.” Learning this story has made this song all the more powerful for me and I hope it enhances the power of this great hymn for you as well. 

This is followed by Leroy Van Dyke with Precious Memories. Though this is a sweet uplifting song, it was based upon a tragedy. In 1922, John Wright lost his five-year-old son. Wright would later say about this song, “’Precious Memories’ was born in the midnight hours as I bathed by pillow with tears, likewise all my songs came through life’s severest tests.” Though this is a very famous hymn, John Wright only received $36 for writing it. He would remain a janitor that was always struggling to make ends meet for his entire life.

Afterwards is The Browns with their 1961 recording of Church in the Wildwood.

Then comes Homer Rodeheaver & Virginia Asher with their 1921 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. 

Next is Johnny Cash with Strange Things Happening Everyday. This is a cover of a Sister Rosetta Tharpe song, and John does a really good job with it. 

Now comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory. Though we currently live in this world, we are not citizens of this world. Instead, we are citizens of heaven and we are only passing through this world. One day we will be rounded up in glory and we will see our lord and savior face to face. No matter how good anything in this world is it cannot compare to the blessings God has in store for us in heaven. No matter what hardships we might face in life, they pale in comparison to the glories of heaven. 

Then is The Louvin Brothers with The Weapon of Prayer. It is too often we as Christians forget about the importance of prayer and what a blessing it simply is to be allowed to pray. The fact that the creator of the world loves us so dearly that he will listen to our prayers and care deeply about whatever we are going through is simply mind boggling. It is not something we should take for granted but it should rather be something that makes us recognize just how much God truly loves us. 

Today's musical selection ends with Randy Travis and Mac Powell (from the Christian rock band, Third Day) with Love Lifted Me. This hymn was written in 1912 by James Rowe and Howard E. Smith. Rowe's daughter would later state, “ I can see them now, my father striding up and down humming a bar or two, and Howard E. playing it and jotting it down…The two huddled together, working line by line, bar by bar, composing this hymn in tandem.”

Now for Dale Evans talking about her Christian faith. 

Now for a episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show that aired on September 17, 1949.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. 2 Chronicles 30:9

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. Ephesians 3:16-17

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.