Cowboy Church #144

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

Today's musical selection begins with Stuart Hamblen with This Old House Has Got To Go. Stuart Hamblen was one of the best and most important names in Cowboy gospel music. One of his most beloved compositions is the gospel classic This Old House, which would be made a massive hit by Rosemary Clooney. What some of you may not know is that this song has a sequel and that is this song. The first song debuted in 1954 and this sequel song in 1966. This is followed by Johnny Cash with When I Take My Vacation in Heaven. This song was written by Herbert Buffmun, a Pentecostal Evangelist who lived from 1879 to 1939. Writing gospel music was a passionate hobby for him and he is said to have written around 10,000 songs with around 1,000 of them being published. Ripley's Believe It or Not claimed that he once wrote 12 songs in one hour. However songwriting can hardly be said to have made a living for him. Most of his songs were sold for $5 or even less. This did not stop The Los Angles Time from calling him, “The King of Gospel Song Writers” upon his death. This recording of the song comes from John's 1962 gospel album, Hymns From the Heart. This album featured a number of gospel songs, John grew up with as a child including this one. Next is The Purple Hulls with I Just Wanted You to Know. This comes from their 2012 album, Close to Home. Following is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1934 recording of Open Up Dem Pearly Gates. This upbeat gospel number also shows the band's wonderful sense of humor. To me the highlight of this song though is Hugh Farr's excellent fiddle playing. Next is Don Gibson with Power In the Blood.  This hymn was written Lewis Edgar Jones in 1889 while at a camp meeting at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. It was first published in Songs of Praise and Victory the same year and Gospel Praises. Though he had written well over 100 hymns to his name (including I’ve An­chored in Je­sus and We Shall See the King Some Day), this remains his most popular hymn. This is followed by 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. Today's musical selection ends with The Carter Family's 1928 recording of Keep On The Sunny Side. This song was written by Ada Blenkhorn (lyrics) and J. Howard Entwisle in 1899, however it was this version that made the song a country music standard. 

Next is an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show, dated September 20, 1953.

Next is the C.S. Lewis essay, God in the Dock.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13


Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18

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