Cowboy Church #76

Hello my friends and welcome to another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with All Wild Things. This song was written by songwriter and actor Stan Jones. Fans of cowboy music will probably recognize the name Stan Jones as he was the writer of Ghost Riders in the Sky. The Sons of the Pioneers' perfect harmonies are especially beautiful here. The recording comes from the boys' 1963 gospel album, Hymns of the Cowboy. Often times great songs grow out of great hardships. Such is true for the gospel classic, Precious Lord Take My Hand. This song was written by Thomas A. Dorsey after the passing of his wife and newborn son in 1932. Though Dorsey had given his life to the Lord and was moving away from his career as a blues singer instead writing gospel songs and even pastoring churches. Still after the death of his beloved wife and child, he began to question his faith. Instead of giving up his faith he turned to prayer. He prayed that God would lead him through all the troubles of life. He put his prayer to music (George Allen's Maitland) and this turned out to be one of his most popular songs. Today's musical selection has Hank Williams performing Take My Hand Precious Lord  on a 1951 episode of his Mother's Best radio show. A Singer of Songs in my mind gets down to the essence of Johnny Cash and honestly when I first I found out I was surprised he had not written it. What is interesting is that when interviewed about this recording for the Unearthed Box set, Johnny stated, "Good song but I don't know whose it is." Producer Rick Rubin in comments for the box set stated that he felt this was "one of the most touching and emotional of all the songs." However he admitted "I have no idea where it came from. I don't even remember recording it." He wondered how he could have possibly missed putting this song on one of the album he and Johnny did together. Johnny's song John Carter Cash however shed light on where this song came from. "Every once in a while I'd bring in a song or two - he knows instantly, when he hears a song , whether it will work out for him or not. This was written by Tim O'Connell." This song was recorded during the sessions for Johnny's third album for Rick Ruben, Solitary Man. Johnny was a heart simply a singer and a story teller and he knew that there was no greater story than that of Jesus Christ. This is followed by The Bailes Brothers with their 1945 recording of I've Got My One Way Ticket to the Sky. After comes Southern Raised performing Beulah Land. Then is Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children. Today's musical selection ends with Hank Williams Jr. singing How Can I Refuse Him Now. Though Hank Williams Jr. is most associated with his rowdy party songs, he has recorded a great variety of music over his career, including this lovely tender gospel ballad. This comes from his 1969 gospel album, Sunday Morning.



 

 

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”  Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. Acts 16:33

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. Deuteronomy 18:21-22

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13

He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

Thanks for joining me for another service of Cowboy Church, come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Until then happy trails to you until we meet again. 

-Michael J. Ruhland