Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers with The Cowboy's Prayer. This version of the song comes from Roy and his wife Dale Evans' 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet Bye and Bye.
This is followed by Jimmy Dean with 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.
Then comes The Louvin Brothers with O Who Shall Be Able To Stand.
Next comes The Statler Brothers with Love Lifted Me. This song was written by James Rowe in 1912 and was based on two stories from the book of Matthew. One was asleep in the boat with the apostles during a storm. As the apostles were terrified of the storm, they couldn't understand how Jesus was so calm that he could take a nap. They wake Jesus up from his nap and Jesus simply tells the storm to stop and it does. The other story also involved the apostles, Jesus and the sea. It was about how when his eyes were fixed upon Jesus, he was able to walk on the water, but he lost the ability when his faith faltered and he looked away. Still Jesus was a faithful friend and lifted Peter into a boat.
Now for The Isaacs with I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. All of us have anxieties about the future at times and how things will work out. Yet no matter what happens tomorrow, God is still in control and he loves us and will walk with us through any pain or trials we may face. This song was written by Ira Straphill a pastor who traveled the United States spreading the gospel. He did much of his traveling with his wife, Zelma. Zelma would however later decide the ministry was not for her and left Ira. She would also succumb to many temptations including addiction and other men, which added much pain to their realtionship in later years. This caused Ira to fall into a deep depression as he tried everything to keep the two's marriage afloat and nothing seemed to be working. He wrote this song in a very dark time for him. He was driving and all the sudden began to hum a tune. Next thing he knew he was singing this song. As soon as he got home, he went straight to his office to write down this hymn. This makes the hymn's meaning all the more powerful. No matter what we face in our lives or how bad things may seem, we can always have hope because we know who holds tomorrow.
Afterwards is The Carter Family with their 1928 recording of Anchored in Love.
Next is Lorretta Lynn with I Feel Like Traveling On. As much as we may love so much of what we have in this world, it is not our home. We are only passing through this world. Our real home and our greatest treasure are waiting for us in Heaven. Us Christians are all citizens of Heaven and members of God's kingdom.
The Sons of the Pioneers then ask us the great theological question Will There Be Sage Brush in Heaven in a wonderful 1947 recording.
Today's musical selection ends with Gene Autry singing God's in the Saddle,
Now for the silent short film, Broncho Billy and the Rustlers Child (1913).
Motion Picture Magazine, 1925
Now for a message from Billy Graham.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:9-10
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:14-16
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11
Thank you so much 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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