Cowboy Church #162

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children.  Jesus would state, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." There is no doubt that Jesus did love the little children and he loves us big children too. If we will humble ourselves and become like little children, the blessings he has for us are immeasurable. 

Then comes Barbara Mandrell with He Grew the Trees. This comes from her 1982 gospel album, He Set My Life to Music.

Next comes The Carter Family with their 1936 recording of No Depression in Heaven. Though this song was topical for the time it was written, it is still just as powerful and beautiful today. 

Afterwards is Jean Shepard with Precious Memories. 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. 

Now for Bob Dylan with his 1961 recording of This Train Is Bound for Glory. This recording even predates Bob's first album. 

Now for Charlie Walker 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. This version of the song comes from Charlie's 1968 gospel album, He is My Everything. 

Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of When It's Roundup Time in Heaven. 

Today's musical selection ends with The Weavers with The New Jerusalem.  

Now for the C.S. Lewis essay, Christianity and Literature.

Now for an episode of Roy Rogers' radio show.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

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

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114

The Lord will keep you from all harm. he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8

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

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