Cowboy Church #168

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with It is No Secret (What God Can Do). This song was written by cowboy singer and actor Stuart Hamblen. Before turning to God, this man's life could hardly be considered Godly. He often drank and fought, and this often landed him in jail. When in 1949 Hamblin went to a Billy Graham crusade, he turned his life over to God. The drinking and fighting were put behind him and his whole life changing. One day he was talking about this change to his good friend John Wayne (yes that John Wayne) and that it was no secret what God had done for him. John Wayne said that he should write a song with those lyrics. Stuart Hamblen had also had a brief movie career and appeared in the Roy Rogers film, The Arizona Kid (1939).

This is followed by Cowboy Copas with his 1956 with his recording of Don't Shake Hands with the Devil. 

Afterwards is two more 1956 country gospel recordings, both from Cecil Campbell. So, enjoy I'm On The Right Road Now and Contentment.

Next is Johnny Cash performing, Truth. It had been assumed that this song was a poem written by Muhammad Ali that he had handed to John. However when House of Cash employee, Gregg Geller heard the song, he simply didn't think it sounded like one of Ali's poems and so he googled the first line of the song, which lead him to a website for Hazrat Inayat Khan. Khan was one of the leaders of the Universal Sufi movement in the early 20th century and among his writers was this poem in full. While Ali did in fact introduce John to the poem he did not write it himself. 

Then comes The Carter Family with their 1941 recording of Keep on the Firing Line. 

Next is Lorretta Lynn with If God Is Dead (Who's That Living In My Soul). This song was written by country singer Lawrence Reynolds. Reynolds biggest hit was Jesus is a Soul Man. This recording of the song comes from Lorretta's 1969 gospel album, The Gospel Spirit. 

Afterwards is Jimmy Murphy with his 1963 recording of Wake Me Up Sweet Jesus.

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers 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. Tim Spencer sings lead on this recording. 

Now for an episode of Gene Autry's radio show. 

Now for a message from Billy Graham.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. Ephesians 3:16-17

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

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