Cowboy Church #109

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

Today's musical selection begins with Cowboy Copas' 1956 recording of Don't Shake Hands With the Devil, a song that he co-wrote. Next up comes Tennessee Ernie Ford with Just As I Am. This hymn was written by Charlotte Elliott. She had been a writer of funny poems, but at 32 she became seriously ill in a way that would affect her for the rest of her life. This lead her to become angry and depressed. However minister and hymnist César Malan convinced her to replace this anger and pain with the peace of God. This lead her to become a hymnist herself. Years later her brother, Rev. H. V. Elliott had conceived of a plan for a school in Brighton for the daughters of clergymen, St. Mary’s Hall. A bazaar was to be held to raise money. As everyone worked to make this a success, Charlotte was deemed unfit to help with all that needed to be done. She instantly feel into depression and spiritual conflict. Yet she was able to take comfort in what the Lord had done for her and wrote this song inspired by her situation. The hymn was written in 1834 and first published in 1835. It gained greater popularity when it appeared in the1841 edition of The Invalid’s Hymn Book. The song later became associated with evangelist, Billy Graham and was the name of his autobiography.  This recording of the song comes from Tennessee Ernie Ford's 1958 gospel album, Nearer the Cross. Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with God Speaks. This song was written by Rubylin Pittman and Jean Bond. This recording comes from the group's 1963 gospel album, Hymns of the Cowboy. It reminds us how we can be sure of God's mightiness and love by looking around at his creation and that there is never a moment where God's presence is not with us giving us hope joy and comfort. This is followed by Waylon Jennings singing Precious Memories. Though this is a sweet uplifting song, it was based upon a tragedy. In 1922, John Wright lost his five year old son. Wright would later say about this song, “’Precious Memories’ was born in the midnight hours as I bathed by pillow with tears, likewise all my songs came through life’s severest tests.” Though this is a very famous hymn, John Wright only received $36 for writing it. He would remain a janitor that was always struggling to make ends meet for his entire life. This version comes from Waylon's 1976 album, Are You Ready For the Country. While gospel music only made up a relatively small part of Waylon's output, there is no denying that his versions of these songs are incredible. His powerful yet soulful voice was perfectly suited for gospel music and I find myself feeling completely moved whenever I listen to him singing a gospel song. With that said this may be my favorite version of the classic hymn. Next comes Gene Autry singing Bless This House. This song was written in 1927 by Helen Taylor and  May Brahe. Gene's recording comes from an episode of his Melody Ranch radio show dated 11/21/1948. We continue with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to Ya in a scene from the movie, Trigger Jr. (1950). Next is The Carter Family's 1934 recording of I'm Working on a Building. Today's musical selection ends with The Purple Hulls with Higher Ground. This comes from their 2012 album, Close to Home. 

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

For nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! Psalm 40:4

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments Deuteronomy 7:9

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Luke 16:10

A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. Psalm 30:4

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19

Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? Proverbs 20:6

I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always. 1 Samuel 2:35 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy Trails to you until we meet again.