Cowboy Church # 47

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

Today's musical selection starts with Gene Autry singing Somebody Bigger Than You or I in a clip from his movie, The Old West (1952).  Johnny Cash often felt strong connection with the Apostle Paul. He would even write a book about Paul's life entitled Man in White as well as a song of the same title. In the introduction for the book John wrote "After all Paul became my hero. He was invincible! He made it his life's mission to convert the idolatrous, pagan world over to Jesus Christ. And he did everything he planned that he lived long enough to do." With this in mind it is no surprise that he wrote a song like One of these Days I'm Gonna Sit Down and Talk to Paul. Now that John has passed on, I can't help but wonder what he has said to Paul and what Paul has said to him. Next is Ray Price singing a lovely version of What a Friend We Have in Jesus from his 1976 gospel album, Precious Memories. This is followed by a very upbeat and fast paced fun version of the gospel classic, There's Power in the Blood. The Sons of the San Joaquin are performing this classic and this recording comes from their 1997 album, Gospel Trails. After this Glen Campbell sings In the Garden. Next is The Monroe Brothers with their fantastic 1936 recording of My Savior's Train. It is unfortunately unknown who wrote this song or how long it has been in existence. However The Monroe Brothers helped create a popularity for this song with this recording. This recording inspired versions of this song by the likes of Flatt and Scruggs and The Lily Brothers. It is not hard to see why this version made the song popular. The fast paced instrumentation is toe-tapping bluegrass music at its finest and the brother's high harmonies are lovely. Charlie Monroe would record a live solo version of this song in September 1975, the same month he would pass away from cancer. That recording will follow. Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and The Sons of the Pioneers will all join in with us in singing, The Place Where I Worship. Ending today's musical selection is Skeeter Davis with I'll Meet You in the Morning.

Today's movie is a silent short film starring Bronco Billy Anderson called Bronco Billy's Narrow Escape (1912).

Psalm 48
1 Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.
3 God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.
4 When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,
5 they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor.
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind.
8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.
9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
10 Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers,
13 consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

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
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Acts 3:19

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. Deuteronomy 8:10

Thank you for joining me come back next week for more Cowboy Church. Happy Trails to you until we meet again.

-Michael J. Ruhland