Cowboy Church #139

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and The Sons of the Pioneers with The Place Where I Worship. A lot can be brought to a song simply by who is performing it. Sometimes the performer can bring their own interruption separate for that of the songwriter. A case of this can be seen in Johnny Cash's cover of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus. The original version has a sense of satire and sarcasm to it.  However Johnny Cash being a true believer of Jesus Christ replaced this with a feeling of real sincerity. Through this the song becomes a new but just as good experience. John's version of this song comes from his 2002 album, American IV: The Man Comes Around. This is the famous album in which he would also recreate Nine Inch Nails' Hurt. Next comes George Jones with Good Old Bible. This is followed by Andy Griffith singing I Love to Tell the Story. When recovering from a sickness, Arabella Katherine Hankey wrote a poem about the life of Christ. This poem was broken into two parts the first being called The Story Wanted (published in January, 1866) and the second called The Story Told (published in November, 1866). I Love to Tell the Story comes from this second part. In 1869 William G. Fisher put this text to music and that is the version we know today. Still it is worth noting that Hankey wrote her own music for these words, but her music was seldom used and is now forgotten. This version of the song comes from Andy's 1996 album, Love To Tell Story: 25 Hymns. Next is The Chuck Wagon Gang with their 1941 recording of Jesus Hold My Hand. This song was written by Albert Edward Brumley who wrote such other southern gospel classics as I'll Fly Away, Turn Your Radio On and He Set Me Free. The Chuck Wagon Gang has been referred to as the other Carter Family, because they share the same last name as the first family of country music. Afterwards is Alyson Abonmei with Gospel Cowboy. Next is Leadbelly with You Must Have That Religion, Halleloo. Today's musical selection ends with Gene Autry and Diana Shore's 1950 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. The song itself dates back to 1913 and was written by evangelist, George Bennard. Actually the first verse was written in 1912. It was written while Bennard was a part of a series of revival meetings in Albion, Michigan. He was worried about the complete disregard for the gospel around him and wrote this verse as a repose. Of writing it Bennard said, "I seemed to have a vision ... I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable." The song wouldn't be completed for several months, when he was leading meetings at a local church in Pokagan, Michigan. He played it for Rev. Leroy (the sponsoring pastor) and his wife, Ruby Bostwick, both of whom found themselves moved to tears. It was then incorporated into a service at that church on June 7, 1913. The song has the same effect today as it must have back then. 

Next is the short film, Broncho Billy's Adventure (1911).

Next is C.S. Lewis reading his essay, Work and Prayer.

 Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved; you and your household. Acts 6:31

Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39

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

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. Luke 21:15

For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. Ecclesiastes 7:12


Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. Job 12:12

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

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