Cowboy Church #250

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Whispering Hope. This beautiful hymn comes from the pen of Alice Hawthorne (the pen name for poet Septimus Winner), who is best known for her contributions to children's music with songs like, Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? and Ten Little Indians.

This is followed by Wilf Carter with Let's Go Back to the Bible. The Bible is not just some ancient text. Rather it is full of words of wisdom that are just as true today as it was centuries ago.

Afterwards is Jimmy Wakely with Gonna Walk with My Lord. Life can be very difficult at times. Luckily though we don't ever have to walk through any of it by ourselves. Jesus is there with us step by step and be there to comfort us and give us the strength to make it through every single tough time.  

Then comes Johnny Cash with Welcome Back Jesus. This recording comes from John's 1973 album, Any Old Wind That Blows.

Next is Emmylou Harris with If I Be Lifted Up. This recording comes from Emmylou's 1987 gospel album, Angel Band. Backing up Emmylou on this recording and this album is none other than Vince Gill. Vince both plays guitar and songs backing vocals on this song. For those of us who feel like we are alone in the world, if we simply ask him to Jesus will be friend and family to us. 

Afterwards is Ray Price with Love Lifted Me. This hymn was written in 1912 by James Rowe and Howard E. Smith. Rowe's daughter would later state, “I can see them now, my father striding up and down humming a bar or two, and Howard E. playing it and jotting it down…The two huddled together, working line by line, bar by bar, composing this hymn in tandem.” This version of the hymn comes from Ray's 1976 gospel album, Precious Memories. 

Then is the Heavenly Gospel Singers with their 1940 recording of Have a Little Talk With Jesus. This hymn was written by Rev. Cleavant Derricks, a pastor of a small African American church in Alabama. During the great depression, his church was desperately in need of new hymnals. He had written hymns but none of them had been published. He contacted the publisher Stamps-Baxter in hope of giving them some of his songs in exchange for hymnals. They had little interest in most of the hymns, but they really liked Just a Little Talk With Jesus. For writing this beloved gospel song Derricks received 50 hymnals. 

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1935 recording of One More River to Cross. 

Now comes one of our cowboy heroes, Tom Mix (as well as his horse Tony of course), arriving in England in this 1938 newsreel footage from Movietone News. 

Now comes the C.S. Lewis essay, A Slip of the Tongue.

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 1 John 3:17

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:33 

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Romans 8:25 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

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