Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the San Joaquin with 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. This version of the song comes from the group's 2017 album, One More Ride.
This is followed by Donna Fargo with You Can't Be a Beacon (If Your Light Don't Shine). There are many people who call themselves Christians but don't in any way live like Christians. If we call ourselves Christians, there should be an overwhelming love inside of us for everyone and we should do our best to live by the word of God. This is the way that our light should shine and if we don't love other people and often break the commandments of God, then we are not beacons for anyone as we do not in any way represent who God is to those around us.
Next comes Johnny Cash with Would You Recognize Jesus. This song tells us about, how we truly get to know who Jesus is by trying to live the way that he lived. There are many of us who may think we know Jesus, but if we actually saw him, he would be "another one we couldn't place." Yet if we live by his word and make sure to pray every day, then we can truly know just who Jesus really is. This song was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (of the Statler Brothers) and if you listen to the Statler Brothers than this isn't hard to tell at all.
Next comes the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet with There's Power in the Blood. Hee Haw may be a very silly and corny TV show but it means a lot to me. For those of you unfamiliar with this show, it was a variety show that mixed some of the corniest jokes and comedy skits imaginable with a lot of great country music by some of the top country artists of the time period (1969-1997). The reason why the show means so much to me is because I became a huge country music fan from my grandparents watch reruns of this wonderful show. Much of the music I was introduced to through this show still stays very much with me.
Now comes Homer Rodeheaver with his 1923 recording of The Church in the Wildwood.
Then comes 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.
This is followed by Bob Dylan with When He Returns. This was the final track off of Bob’s 1979 album, Slow Train Coming. This was the first album Bob made after converting to Christianity. Because of this it is an album made up entirely of Christian songs. This period of Bob’s career angered many of Bob’s longtime fans. Many did not like that Bob was now using his music to preach the gospel and many were angry because in concert he would no longer play his earlier music, instead wanting to focus only on Christian music.
Today’s musical selection ends with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children.
Now for the silent short film, Why Broncho Billy Left Bear Country (1913).
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. Proverbs 24:16
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 2 Corinthians 5:17
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrew 7:25
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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