Cowboy Church #175

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with The Land Beyond the Sun. This recording comes from their newest album 2024's Campfire Spirituals. 

This is followed by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with their 1950 recording of May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to Ya. 

Then comes Anne Wilson with Dirt Roads in Heaven from her 2024 album, Rebel. 

Afterwards is Bonnie Owens with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition, when he made a collection of his writings entitled Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous. This hymn still has an important message for us today. When it seems like there is no one to turn to at any moment of our lives, Jesus is always there. He is always there to listen to us, no matter what. More than that though he deeply cares about every single one of us. A better friend than Jesus could never be found no matter how hard we try. What a friend we have in Jesus indeed. This recording comes from Bonnie's 1970 gospel album, Mother's Favorite Hymns.

Next is The Blue Sky Boys with their 1946 recording of Won't it be Wonderful There.

Afterwards is J. E. Mainer's Mountaineers with their 1936 recording of I Am Walking in the Light.

Now for Johnny Cash and U2 with The Wanderer. This song was written by Bono in 1993 (under the working title The Preacher). The song was inspired by the book of Ecclesiastes but takes place in a future time with a narrator who is worried about the lack of God in society. It is considered to be one of Bono's best songs, but for some reason whenever he tried to record it himself, it didn't work for him. Then he came up with the brilliant idea of having Johnny Cash sing the song (this idea came to Bono when he learned Johnny was going to be in Dublin). Bono would say that Johnny would teach him a lot about how to deliver a song like this during this recording section giving advice about how to put over each word effectively. Johnny told a reporter, "I don't know if it will ever be released or even what it's called." The song would be released on the U2 album, Zooropa  (one of U2's most experimental albums) and John would state that this song gave him a sense of artistic renewal.

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the San Joaquin with Dale Evans performing In the Sweet By and By.  This song came about because of a friendship between composer, Joseph Webster and poet, Dr. Sanford Fillmore Bennett. One day Webster was depressed, and Dr. Bennett recognized this. Dr. Bennett asked his friend what was wrong. Webster replied, "Oh nothing. Everything will be alright by and by." These words brought up an idea in Bennett and he wrote down three verses and a chorus to this song as soon as he could. He handed it to his friend saying, “Here is your prescription, Joe.” Webster loved the lyrics and wrote music for them in practically no time at all. Dr. Bennett later said, “It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn.” The hymn was first published in 1868 and went on to great fame since.

Today's movie is Home in Oklahoma (1946) starring Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. This film is directed by William Whitney. Quention Tarantino has referred to Whitney as "one of the greatest action directors in the history of the business." Though not as well-known as he should be Whitney left behind a wonderful filmography. He directed many of Roy Rogers' best westerns as well as many starring Rex Allen. He also directed Audrey Murphy in Apache Rifles (1964), Arizona Raiders (1965) and 40 Guns to Apache Pass (1966) as well as various movie serials for Republic and the TV series The Wild Wild West. He also served as 2nd unit director on Alfred Hitchcock's Marnie (1964). Also in Home in Oklahoma is George "Gabby" Hayes (the greatest sidekick in the history of B-Westerns), Carol Hughs (Dale Arden in the classic movie serial, Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940)), the Sons of the Pioneers and of course Trigger (The smartest horse in the movies). 

Now for a message from the Reverand Billy Graham. 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." John 6:35

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

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

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:11 

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. Galatians 2:10

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

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