Cowboy Church #155

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

Today's musical selection begins with Ray Price singing Don't Wait Till Sunday to Pray. This recording comes from Ray's 1974 gospel album, This Time Lord. This is followed by Skeeter Davis singing God Loves His Children. This song was written by bluegrass legends Lester Flatts and Earl Scruggs. It comes from Skeeter's tribute album to Flatts and Scruggs, 1968's I Love Flatts and Scruggs.  Next comes Johnny Cash singing Softly and Tenderly.  The song was written by an Ohio businessman named Will Thompson in 1880.  As well as writing gospel songs Thompson also wrote quite a few secular songs and parotic songs. When the songs he wrote were rejected by publishers he created his own company,  Will L. Thompson & Company. This company would not only publish music by sell musical instruments. Softly and Tenderly first appeared in 1880's Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, a collection of songs from the company. When evangelist Dwight L. Moody was on his death bed he told the songwriter, "Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life." This was appropriate as Will decided to make songwriting his career while at a meeting held by Moody.  This version of the song comes from John's 1975 album, Johnny Cash Sing Precious Memories. This album (which entirely consists of traditional gospel songs) abandons John's traditional sound for a more lush and orchestrated sound. Much of this was due to arrangements by Bill Walker, who had been the musical director for John's TV show. This album was dedicated to John's late brother Jack, who had died at the age of 15 in a sawmill accident. His death took its toll on John and affected him for the rest of his life. This is written on the back of the album, "Dear Jack, We lost you one sad day in May 1944. I was twelve years old. Some of these songs were the songs we sang at your funeral. As you were dying you gave us a description of heaven and singing angels. Could these be some of the songs the angels were singing? See you later. Your little brother J.R." This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. After this is Red Steagall with Church At the Wagon. This is followed by Conway Twitty with Who Will Pray For Me. The song was written by Darrell Statler & Lorene Allen.  This recording comes from Conway's 1973 gospel album, Clinging To A Saving Hand /Steal Away. Next is Roy Rogers with Peace in the Valley. This version of the song comes from an episode of Roy's radio show entitled The Rene Eigen Case, that aired on April 11, 1952. Today's musical selection ends with Gene Autry singing God Must Have Loved America. This recording comes from an episode of Gene's Melody Ranch radio show that aired July 26, 1942. This is the most famous episode of the show as it was the one where Gene was sworn into the United States Army Air Forces live on the air. This song closed this great episode. 

Next is a 2006 interview with the one and only George Jones.

Up next is Martian Luther King Jr. with his sermon, Our God is Marching On. 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed are those who heed wisdom's instruction. Proverbs 29:18

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26-28

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