Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Dwelling in Beulah Land. This song was written by Austin Miles (who also wrote In the Garden) in 1911. The melody of this song is also used in The Fiji National Anthem, God Bless Fiji. The lead singer on this recording is Roy Rogers (Leonard Slye at this time), during his last year as a member of the band. This is followed by Johnny Cash performing Have Thine Own Way Lord. This hymn was written by Adelaide A. Pollard. It was partly inspired by how in 1902, she heard an old woman praying at a prayer meeting, "It really doesn't matter what you do with us, Lord -- just have your way with our lives." Adelaide wanted to be a missionary in Africa, but this was not happening as quickly as she would have hoped it would happen. Not long before writing this song, she tried to raise funds to go to Africa but this proved not as successful as she had hoped. This lead her to follow into what she called a "distress of soul." It was then that she attended this prayer meeting, heard that prayer and wrote this hymn. She eventually did become a missionary in Africa, even if it was only for a brief time. This recording features only Johnny Cash and his guitar with no backing band. Chet Atkins was known as "Mr. Guitar" and was easily one of the greatest guitar players in country music. At a time where most of country music was centered around the singers and the lyrics, Chet made a great number of hits with instrumental guitar tracks. Yet the way he played this guitar was just as soulful and elegant as many of the great country singers. In 1962 he released an album of instrumental versions of classic gospel songs called Chet Atkins Plays Back Home Hymns. This is a truly lovely album and from this album is our next hymn, Just a Closer Walk With Thee. Next is Waylon Jennings singing Precious Memories on his 1976 album, Are You Ready For The Country. 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. Though Waylon did not record a great many gospel songs, he more than proved himself as an incredible gospel singer. The pure soul, emotion and power in his voice could not be more perfect for gospel music. Personally Waylon's version of Precious Memories remains my favorite version of this classic hymn. Now appropriate for Cowboy Church comes Roy Rogers with A Cowboy's Sunday from him and his wife's (Dale Evans) 1959 gospel album, Jesus Loves Me. This is followed by Kris Kristofferson singing Why Me Lord. Before singing the song he tells the story of what inspired him to write it. Next is Mel Tillis with Peace in the Valley. The hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey who later explained the origins of this song, “Peace in the Valley,” “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?” Out of those thoughts came “Peace in the Valley.” Today's musical selection ends with Jeannie Seely singing One Day at Time. This song was written by Kris Kristofferson & Marijohn Wilkin.
The following is Roy Rogers talking about his faith in God.
The following is Billy Graham talking about prayer.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
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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