Cowboy Church #251

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus in the Morning. Jesus should not only be on our minds when we go to church but all the time. He should be there when we wake up in the morning, when we go about doing our daily routine, when we get home each day and when we go to bed at night. 

This is followed by Slim Whitman with He Bought My Soul at Calvary. Too often we take what happened at Calvary for granted without truly thinking about what it means. By this I do not only mean the pain and suffering he endured (though that has often become too sanitized in our minds), but also the fact that now we can have a close personal relationship with the God who created the heavens and the Earth. 

Then comes Wayne Raney with his 1949 recording of Gathering in the Sky. 

Next comes The Carter Family with their 1941 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.

Next is Waylon Jennings singing Precious Memories on his 1976 album, Are You Ready for The Country. Though this is a sweet uplifting song, it was based upon a tragedy. In 1922, John Wright lost his five-year-old son. Wright would later say about this song, “’Precious Memories’ was born in the midnight hours as I bathed by pillow with tears, likewise all my songs came through life’s severest tests.” Though this is a very famous hymn, John Wright only received $36 for writing it. He would remain a janitor that was always struggling to make ends meet for his entire life. Though Waylon did not record a great many gospel songs, he more than proved himself as an incredible gospel singer. The pure soul, emotion and power in his voice could not be more perfect for gospel music. Personally, Waylon's version of Precious Memories remains my favorite version of this classic hymn.

Afterwards is The Sons of the San Joaquin with Unclouded Day. 

 After this comes Johnny Cash and Billy Graham with Preacher Said, Jesus Said. Johnny and Billy were great friends and John often appeared at the Billy Graham crusades and played a major role in leading many people to Christ. This song has Johnny singing with inserts of Billy Graham quoting Jesus. The message of this song was not only timely then as well as timely now. It will always be timely. When things are darkest and we don't know who to believe or trust, we know that we can always count on the words of Jesus Christ to be as true as they ever were. 

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1941 recording of What a Wonderful Joy. Words cannot describe just how joyous it will be when we reach heaven. The Bible doesn't describe Heaven in much physical detail, probably because our minds cannot even comprehend how great it will be. 

Next comes the C.S. Lewis essay, Must Our Image of God Go?

Next comes a 1942 episode of the Red Ryder radio show. 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

Love one another.  1 John 3:23

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 

By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life. Proverbs 22:4

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

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