Today's musical selection begins with the King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers, singing The Circuit Riding Preacher from his and Dale's 1959 album, Jesus Loves Me. Circuit riders were real men back in the late 1700's and 1800's. They were part of the Methodist Episcopal Church and rode on horse across the early United States, preaching the gospel. Naturally this was a perfect subject for Roy to sing about as the lore was similar to that of the cowboy and Roy was a Christian. This song is set to the tune of The Battle Hymn of the Old Republic with a few choruses of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms inserted in there. Keeping on the subject of the circuit rider, here is one of the Ride This Train segments from The Johnny Cash Show (1969-1971). These segments had John talking about part of history and inserting a medley of songs in there. This was inspired by Johnny's fantastic 1960 concept album, Ride This Train, where John told various stories about U.S. history with many great songs woven in as well. This was often the best part of the TV show and these segments always put a smile on my face. This segment has John telling a story about a circuit rider and inserting a medley of gospel songs in there. This is followed by Bill Monroe's 1958 recording of Lord Lead Me On. Afterwards is The Maddox Brothers and Rose with their 1950 recording of In a Land Where We'll Never Grow Old. This song was written James Cleveland Moore. His father led the singing at church and when he heard his father's voice failing from age one day at church he went home and wrote this song. Next comes Merle Haggard covering Woody Guthrie's Jesus Christ. As many of Woody's compositions had strong social messages so does this song. It about how Jesus said we should help those less fortune than us and how today we can be just as reluctant to do so as so many where back when Jesus said it. While Woody was hardly a gospel songwriter, this was a message that fit strongly with the songs he would write. Of course Merle Haggard recorded many traditional hymns as well as songs like this. Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1947 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. At this time the lineup of the group was Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Lloyd Perryman, Ken Carson and Hugh Farr. This is followed by The Hee Haw Gospel Quartet with Power in the Blood. Normally the lineup for The Hee Haw Gospel Quartet was Buck Owens, Grandpa Jones, Roy Clark and Kenny Price. However Kenny Price's part is filled in for by Gordie Tapp. This comes from a 1974 episode of Hee Haw. Ending today's music selection is The Killer, Jerry Lee Lewis singing My God is Real. Remember my friends our God is real and he is with us always.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:29
Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. Proverbs 16:20
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:34-36
May be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:14-15
Thanks for joining me come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
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-Michael J. Ruhland
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