Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing 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.
This is followed by Billy Walker with his version of How Great Thou Art. This classic hymn was originally based on a poem by Swedish Pastor Carl Gustav Boberg. He wrote this poem after walking home one day and a sudden storm came. When the storm stopped he saw the clear bay in front of him and heard a church bell in the distance. This inspired him to write the poem. He first published it in 1886. When he published it again in Witness of the Truth (a newspaper he edited) in 1891, it included both words and music. The English language version we all know was translated by missionary Stuart K. Hine.
Next comes Dennis Agajanian with Goodbye Old Man. When we give ourselves completely over to God, we should be completely changed. We all have that old man in us. That old man is the way we used to live apart from Christ. When anger, fear, anxiety and sinful deeds ruled over us. These things can grab a hold of your soul and make you into someone who is simply heading for his or her own destruction. While they may seem impossible to fight, God is greater than all these things and though with man it is impossible with God all things are possible. Though sometimes, we still hear from this old man and sometimes we still fall into the things of the past, with God we now have the ability to keep fighting and pushing forward. I hope we can all say goodbye to that old man, because once you leave him, you will never want to see him again.
Now for The Carter Family with their 1940 recording of Heaven's Radio. It is important to remember that even during the times, when we don't feel like God is there, he is always watching over us and there with us through any rough time we may have.
Then comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory. In a 1972 interview Ken Griffis asked Sons of the Pioneers front man, Bob Nolan, "Well, OK. As you progressed as a group, did you use the older type songs as the basis for your programs? Or did you try to blend in more the newer things? Did you try staying with the older things?" Bob responded, "Yeah, we tried to stick strictly to the old ones and, of course, I had an idea or I felt that my songs—the ones that I was writing at the time—were authentic. I tried to keep them authentic. Western." This applied not only to the songs Bob wrote, but the songs the group recorded written by others. There was always a real cowboy feel to nearly all the songs they recorded. That is definitely true here, as this song sounds like something that would feel completely natural in an old west setting.
Then Johnny Cash with God Has My Fortune Laid Away. No matter what blessings we may have in this life, they will never compare to the blessings God has waiting for us in Heaven. In the same way, any troubles we have in this life can never compare to the blessing God has waiting for us in Heaven.
Today's musical selection ends with Randy Travis singing Nothing But the Blood.
Now for Roy Rogers on a 1953 episode of TV's This is Your Life.
Now for a message from S.M. Lockridge.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Numbers 23:19
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:10
Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Resources Used
https://www.tumbleweedtrail.net/griffis-nolan-perryman-spencer
https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/the-history-behind-the-old-rugged-cross-hymn-george-bennard-revival
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