Cowboy Church #75

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

Today's musical selection begins with The King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers singing Peace in the Valley. This version of the song features Roy yodeling. This is something he learned to do as a young boy. His father bought a phonograph that used cylinders and one of these cylinders featured a swiss yodel. The future King of the Cowboys listened to this over and over until he was able to master it. His mom and sisters also took to yodeling and this became a form of communication between the family (especially when there was a distance between them). They used different types of yodels to communicate with a wide variety of different signals. The song itself was written by Thomas A. Dorsey. When explain the origin of this song he stated, “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late 1930s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question, “What’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace?” Up next is Wanda Jackson singing I'd Rather Have Jesus. Though Wanda Jackson is known as the Queen of Rockabilly and is a pure rock and roll legend, she also proved herself multiple times to be just as great when performing country gospel music. After converting to Christianity in 1971 this type of music would become just as much of her career as rock and roll. This comes from her 1973 album, Country Gospel. This is followed by The Charlie Daniels Band with Two Out of Three. This song has an important message for all Christians. We have all messed up a lot and done things we know we shouldn't have done. Yet none of this stops Jesus from loving us and he is always willing for us to run from our sins and into his arms. We can never do anything so horrible that God can't forgive us and use us. This of course does not mean we should constantly sin, rather we should try to sin as little as we can, but what it does mean is that we will not lose our salvation and God will not stop loving us when we do mess up. This is followed by the Bailes Brothers' 1949 recording of Come to the Savior. Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with The Mystery of His Way. This comes from the band's 1963 album, Hymns of the Cowboy and was written by one of the founding members of the group, Bob Nolan (one of the finest songwriters in the history of country music in my mind). Afterwards is Ransomed Bluegrass with a rare original, God is Strong Enough. Earlier we had a song from the Bailes Brothers and next we have a song written by them. This is probably the best known song that they wrote, Dust on the Bible. Walter Bailes stated that this song was written based on a sermon he heard while in Charlton, West Virginia in 1937. The Bailes Brothers recorded it on their first session in 1945. However today's musical selection ends with the great Hank Williams singing it on a 1951 episode of his Mother's Best Radio Show. 

 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:22-34

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Acts 16:30-33

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matthew 5:44

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

-Michael J. Ruhland