Cowboy Church #162

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers singing The Mystery of His Way. This song was written by one of the group's founding members (and one of my favorite songwriters), Bob Nolan. This recording comes from the group's 1963 gospel album, Hymns of the Cowboy. This is followed by Elvis Presley's 1960 recording of I Believe in the Man in the Sky. For this recording of the song, Elvis copied an early recording of this song nearly note for note. This earlier recording was The Statesmen Quartet's version of this song. Elvis grew up listening to the Statesmen Quartet and their lead singer Jake Hess was Elvis' boyhood hero. To say his singing style had a major influence on Elvis would be an understatement. Singer Johnny Rivers would once recall, "One of Elvis' idols when he was young was Jake Hess of the Statesmen Quartet. If you listen to some of their recordings, you'll hear some of that style that is now Elvis Presley's style, especially in his ballad singing. He was playing some of their records one day and he said, 'Now you know where I got my style.'" With this in mind it is no surprise that with this recording Elvis sought to emulate this group so much.  Up next is Red Stegall with Now That I Have Accepted Your Love. This song has an important message for all of us. Giving our lives to Christ should make this world look different and more beautiful to all of us. I know this is true in my life. The times in which I have felt closest to God, have been the times this world and this life have seemed incredibly beautiful to me. But if I forget to pray or read my bible, I do not see the beauty of this life the way I do when I do both of those things. This is followed by The Statler Brothers with In the Sweet By and By.  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." These 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 hymn comes from The Statler's 1983 album, Today. Now for The Maddox Brothers and Rose's 1949 recording of We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder. Next is Willie Nelson with I Thought About You Lord. About writing this song Willie stated that he was inspired by performing with his sister Bobbie (who played the piano). Willie would state, "One of the beautiful things about making music with Bobbie is how her abiding faith washes over me." Up next is DeFord Bailey with his 1927 recording of Evening Prayer Blues. Today's musical selection ends with Roy Rogers singing The Cowboy's Prayer. Though Roy is known as one of Hollywood's greatest contributors to spreading the gospel he was not always a Christian. In fact there were times when he doubted there was a God at all. When his wife, Dale Evans, gave her life to Christ, Roy's reaction is what many people's reaction would have been. He felt, "As long as it makes her happy." He had no intention of becoming a Christian himself though. Yet there was a change in Dale that he couldn't deny and this began to have an effect on him. On day at a party, Roy and Dale had one of the biggest fights in their marriage. The next morning neither one mentioned the fight, but Roy announced that he was going to Church with Dale and the kids. To say this came as a surprise to Dale would be an understatement. Dale noticed that during the sermon, Roy's eyes were closed. Dale naturally assumed he went to sleep. Dale at first was angry but that soon changed. After the sermon there was an alter call. Roy immediately opened his eyes and told Dale, "I'm going down there." From that moment on Roy was a changed man and a true Christian. 

Now for a 1951 episode of Roy Rogers' radio show. 

Up next is Johnny Cash talking about his faith and singing My Children Walk in Truth.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 1 John 2:24

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isiaih 2:4

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 

And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them. Ester 8:17

And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. Ezra 6:22

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

Resources Used

It's a Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson and David Ritz

Happy Trails: Our Life Story by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. 

Elvis Presley: Amazing Grace: His Greatest Scared Performances liner notes by Charles Wolfe

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/in-the-sweet-by-and-by/#.YiTfunzMK3A