Cowboy Church #93

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Charlie Daniels Band with the southern gospel classic, I'll Fly Away. This comes from their 2001 gospel album, How Sweet the Sound (which I highly recommend to all those who love country gospel music). With its fast paced and joyful sound it is hard to think of a gospel song better suited to The Charlie Daniels Band and they perform it to near perfection here. The song itself (first published in 1932) has become one of the most (if not the most) recorded gospel song in the world. This song's writer, Albert Edward Brumley, had spent much of his early life planting and picking cotton on his family's farm. This was tough and exhausting work and Brumley admitted that he wrote this song with the thought of "flying away" from the cotton field. He also admitted that he had taken inspiration from The Prisoner’s Song. This song reminds us that any troubles of this world are temporary, yet the blessings of God are eternal. It does not pretend that life is easy, but reminds us that their is a beautiful hope that has overcome all the problems we face in life. With all these blessings, it is only appropriate to spend time each day thanking God for what he has given us and this is what Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (with some help from The Ranch Hands & Mitch Miller & His Orchestra) sing about in Thank You God. This lovely recording comes from a 1956 Little Golden Record (Let There Be Peace was the B-side). With a series of posts named Cowboy Church, it was only a matter of time before I included the next song. Up next is Red Steagall with a song called Cowboy Church. This comes from his 1995 gospel album, Faith and Values. This song uses cowboy imagery to convey a message that is truly universal and that is that God loves those who are outcasts, whether they are cowboys or city slickers. Those who never quite felt like they belong, can take comfort in the fact the God welcomes them into his kingdom with welcome arms. This followed by Randy Travis singing Doctor Jesus. This recording comes from his 2000 gospel album, Inspirational Journey. It is amazing to think that a country singer who rose to fame in the 1950's actually released one of his finest albums in 1999. However this is just what George Jones accomplished with the album, Cold Hard Truth. Next comes one of many great songs off that album, Sinners and Saints. Today's musical selection ends with the Sons of the Pioneers with their 1947 recording of Will There Be Sagebrush in Heaven. 

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

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