Cowboy Church #137

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing, In The Sweet Bye and Bye.  This song came about because of a friendship between composer, Joseph Webster and poet, Dr. Sanford Fillmore Bennett. One day Webster was depressed and Dr. Bennett recognized this. Dr. Bennett asked his friend what was wrong. Webster replied, "Oh nothing. Everything will be alright by and by." This words brought up an idea in Bennett and he wrote down three verses and a chorus to this song as soon as he could. He handed it to his friend saying, “Here is your prescription, Joe.” Webster loved the lyrics and wrote music for them in practically no time at all. Dr. Bennett later said,  “It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn.” The hymn was first published in 1868 and went on to great fame since. This version of the song comes from Roy and Dale's 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet Bye and Bye. This is followed by Dennis Agajanian singing Outlaw. While Dennis Agajanian is not a household name (as he should be) he has sang and played on stage with such greats as Johnny Cash, The Charlie Daniels Band, Ricky Skaggs, Darius Rucker and Michael W. Smith. He was a close friend of Billy Graham and performed numerous times on his crusades as well. Up next is George Jones with Lord, You've Been Mighty Good Me. This song reminds us that no matter what troubles us at any time, we should still be thankful for all God has given to us, because he has blessed off with so much that we take for granted each and every day. Afterwards is Hank Williams Jr. with Wealth Won't Save Your Soul. The Hank we hear here is not the rowdy country-rock outlaw, we all know. Hank here sounds much more like his daddy (who also recorded this song) and like his father, he sings this gospel number with all his heart in the most moving way possible. This beautiful recording comes from Hank Jr.'s 1969 gospel album, Sunday Morning. Next is Willie Nelson with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition,  when he made a collection of his writings entitled  Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous. This is followed by the Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Heavenly Airplane. This song was written by one of the group's founding members, Bob Nolan. Bob also sings lead on this song. Hugh Farr's fiddle playing is also especially excellent. The music continues with The Statesman Quartet with Cowboy Camp Meeting. Today's musical selection ends with Billy Cate with A Cowboy's Prayer. This was the title track of his 2017 gospel album. 

Up next is an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch Radio Show that aired September 30, 1950.

Now is C.S. Lewis reading his essay, Good Work and Good Works.

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 

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:39

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

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:29

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing. Isaiah 30:15

Now in those days John the Baptist *came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 6:20

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