Cowboy Church #213

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Take My Hand, Precious Lord. This song was written by Thomas A. Dorsey after the passing of his wife and newborn son in 1932. Though Dorsey had given his life to the Lord and was moving away from his career as a blues singer instead writing gospel songs and even pastoring churches. Still after the death of his beloved wife and child, he began to question his faith. Instead of giving up his faith he turned to prayer. He prayed that God would lead him through all the troubles of life. He put his prayer to music (George Allen's Maitland) and this turned out to be one of his most popular songs.

This is followed by Del Reeves with Learning to Lean. This song was written in 1976 by John Stallings, an evangelical pastor, who also wrote southern gospel songs. No matter how long we have been walking with the Lord, all of us are still learning how to lean. Though we may get better all the time at learning to lean on the promises of God, there is always room for improvement and as we continue our walk with the Lord and go further along the process of sanctification, we shall always be becoming more and more like Jesus. Because of this our faith should never stay still or remain stagnant.

Now for The Statler Brothers with Things God Gave Me. It is too often that us Christians take for granted all the blessings God has poured into our lives. Many of them are just things that we simply accept and don't think about. However God gave us each one to bless us and to show us just how much he loves us.   

Next comes The Monroe Brothers with their 1936 recording of Drifting Too Far from the Shore. 

Then comes Bob Dylan with Covent Woman. This song comes from his 1980 Christian album, Saved. 

Now for the Sons of the San Joaquin with It is Well. 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. 

Afterwards comes Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings with The Greatest Cowboy of Them All. 

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. he song 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.

Now for a message from the Reverend Billy Graham.

Now for the next chapter in Gene Autry's movie serial, The Phantom Empire (1935). 

The Exhibitor, 1950

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Acts 16:30-33

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:16-18 

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:1

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Ecclesiastes 11:9 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

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