Cowboy Church #210

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Sweet Hour of Prayer. Prayer is one of the important parts of a Christians life but it also something that many Christians don't spend enough time doing. I admit myself to having been guilty of prayer far less than I should. Yet talking to the God of the universe is an incredible privilege we have and one of the greatest blessings in our lives. 

This is followed by Johnny Cash singing Jesus Loves Me on an episode of his TV show that aired on March 3, 1971. 

Next is Jim Reeves with The Farmer and the Lord. This comes from his 1967 gospel album, My Cathedral. This song reminds us that even when things seem incredibly hard and difficult, God is always there with us to pour his blessings out upon us and to simply take some time to count our blessings and thank God for them. 

Now for Ray Price with 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.

Then comes The Blue Sky Boys with their 1936 recording of Where The Soul Never Dies.

Afterwards is The Sons of the San Joaquin with their medley of Sweet Hour of Prayer, Amazing Grace and Great Is Thy Faithfulness. This wonderful medley comes from their 1997 gospel album, Gospel Trails. 

Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.  This hymn began with a man named Anthony Showalter. As a fan of gospel music and an elder in a Presbyterian church, he held many "singing schools" at various churches in the south. One day he received two letters from former students who were struggling after their wives had passed. To respond to these letters, Showalter consulted scripture. He came across Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." After reading this verse lyrics for a song chorus went through his head and he wrote down, "“Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” After using this in the letters to his former students he sent this chorus to his friend hymnist, Elisha Hoffman. In the letter he also wrote, “Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27, but I can’t come up with the verses.” Hoffman then wrote the rest of the lyrics to which Showalter put to music. The hymn was published in 1887.

Today's musical selection ends with The Charlie Daniels Band with Lay it on the Line. This song comes from the group's 1994 album, The Door. In his memoir, Never Look at the Empty Seats, Charlie Daniels wrote, "I think the most pressure I was ever under as a songwriter was when I wrote the songs for our first gospel album, The Door. It was such a special project to me. I wanted it to be much more than just another gospel album. I wanted the lyrics to have impact and hopefully speak to some of the people who, like me, had such a hard time understanding the gospel message and were falling through the cracks." (Daniels, 260) Charlie worked very hard on each song and rewrote some multiple times. The effort paid off. This fantastic 1994 album shows The Charlie Daniels Band at their best and it won them their first Dove Award.

 

Now for chapter 3 of Gene Autry's movie serial, The Phantom Empire (1935).

The Cowboy and the Indians Pressbook, 1949


Now for a short sermon from S.M. Lockridge. 

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

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

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me,

for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:22

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. Job 19:25

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

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:28

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Ecclesiastes 12:13

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