Cowboy Church #202

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

Today's musical selection begins with Gene Autry with his 1945 recording of Silver Spurs (On the Golden Stairs). Gene co-wrote this song with Cindy Walker, who also wrote the country classic, You Don't Know Me. 

This is followed by The Gatlin Brothers with It is Well With My Soul. Though this is a hymn of hope and peace it was written in a time of great sadness. The song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He had planned a European trip for himself, his wife and four daughters, however because of his work he was unable to go, and he let his family go without him and after he finished his work, he would meet them there. However, the ship was hit and quickly sank. Though his wife was saved all four of his daughters had gone down with the ship. Amazingly he wrote this hymn when approaching an area near where his daughters had sunk.

Next is Cowboy Copas performing When Jesus Beckons Me Home, at the Grand Ole Opry on April 21, 1956.

Now for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Jesus Loves the Little Children. Jesus would state, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." There is no doubt that Jesus did love the little children and he loves us big children too. If we will humble ourselves and become like little children, the blessings he has for us are immeasurable. 

On the same note is the Sons of the San Joaquin with God Leads His Dear Children Along.

Now it is time for T. Graham Brown with 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.

Next is Johnny Cash with I Talk to Jesus Every Day. My New Years resolution this year is simply to spend more time in prayer. This is because there is no feeling better than or joy greater than being able to talk to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. The fact that we can do this at anytime is truly amazing. While we all have our heroes, all of them look small when compared to Jesus.

Today's musical selection ends with the Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Lead Me Gently Home Father. 

Today's movie trailer is for King of the Cowboys (1943) directed by Joseph Kane and starring Roy Rogers. Like many Roy Rogers movies, though this is a western it takes place in contemporary times. This is more important here than in many of Roy's other westerns as this film deals with World War 2 and Nazi spies. This film also features some of Roy's finest movie songs, including I'm an Old Cowhand, A Gay Ranchero and Roll Along Prairie Moon. This movie also features the Sons of the Pioneers, who perform some wonderful songs as well including ones written by members of the group, Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer. Also here is Smiley Burnette, who is better known as Gene Autry's sidekick in many movies. Here he even uses the same character name that he uses in the Gene Autry films, Frog Milhouse. 

Now for a sermon from S.M. Lockridge. 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:52

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing. Luke 13:10-17

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