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 Petersens with How Firm a Foundation. It is unknown who exactly wrote this hymn. When it originally appeared in 1787's A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, it was simply credited to “K—.” The 1822 edition of A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors credited the writer as “Kn.” The 1835 edition credited the writer as “Keen.” Finally the 1844 edition was credited to “Kirkham.”
Then comes the Osborne Brothers with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. This hymn still has an important message for us today. When it seems like there is no one to turn to at any moment of our lives, Jesus is always there. He is always there to listen to us, no matter what. More than that though he deeply cares about every single one of us. A better friend than Jesus could never be found no matter how hard we try. What a friend we have in Jesus indeed.
Afterwards is The Issacs 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 The Carter Family with their 1928 recording of Anchored in Love.
Now for The Sons of the Pioneers with He Walks With the Wild and Lonely. This song was written by Bob Nolan, one of the founding members of the group and one of my personal favorite songwriters. When in a 1979 interview fellow cowboy singer and songwriter Stuart Hamblen asked Bob what he thought the best song he had written was, Bob answered that it was quite possibly this song. He explained why stating, "The lyrics and the music were so perfectly wed that I just couldn’t improve on it." This version of the song comes from the group's 1963 gospel album, Hymns of the Cowboy. Though we often times may feel that we are alone, and God is nowhere to be found, God is always walking with us through any tough time or hardship we may face.
Then is The Chuck Wagon with their 1941 recording of On the Jericho Road. This hymn was written in 1928 by Don and Marguerete McCrossman. It was copyrighted in 1933, and recorded by The Propes Quartet in 1934.
Next is Johnny Cash singing a gospel song he wrote himself, Meet Me in Heaven. Though he stated that this song was written for his wife, June, the words "meet me in heaven" came from his brother Jack's tombstone (who died at the young age of 14 and whose death left an incredible impact on Johnny for the rest of his life). This recording comes from his 1996 album, Unchained and features Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers as his backing band. In the documentary film, Running Down a Dream (2007) Tom Petty remembered this album as one of his favorites that he and his band ever worked on.
Today's musical selection ends with Roy Roger and Dale Evans with their 1950 recording of 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.
Now for a sermon from S.M. Lockridge.
Now for an episode of Roy Roger's TV show, Bullets and a Burro (1953). This episode was directed by John English, who before working in TV directed many B-Western movies starring such western stars as Gene Autry, Tex Ritter, Bob Steele and Roy Rogers himself.
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Proverbs 28:13
They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Nehemiah 9:17
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. Jeremaih 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
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Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
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