Cowboy Church #181

 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. This song reminds us that we are not only to leave a small part of the day with Jesus as our focus but all day long as well as every day. We should wake up each morning with Jesus on our mind and go to bed each night the same way. While few of us will succeed with this every day, we will find that each day we do it will be an enriching day that will makes us grow as a person. This song comes from Roy and Dale’s 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By.

This is followed by Anne Wilson with Songs about Whiskey. This comes from her most recent album, 2024’s Rebel. 

Afterwards is Johnny Cash 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.

Then comes Mainer's Mountaineers with their 1937 recording of Carry Your Cross with a Smile. 

Up next is Jim and Jesse with Where the Roses Never Fade. This recording comes from their 1964 album, The Old Country Church.

Afterwards is the Prairie Ramblers with their 1936 recording of How Beautiful Heaven Must Be.

Up next is Willie Nelson with Unclouded Day. This song was written by Josiah Kelley Alwood in 1979. Alwood described why he wrote this song stating, “It was a balmy night in August 1879, when returning from a debate in Spring Hill, Ohio, to my home in Morenci, Michigan, about 1:00 a.m. I saw a beautiful rainbow north by northwest against a dense black nimbus cloud. The sky was all perfectly clear except this dark cloud which covered about forty degrees of the horizon and extended about halfway to the zenith. The phenomenon was entirely new to me, and my nerves refreshed by the balmy air and the lovely sight. Old Morpheus was playing his sweetest lullaby. Another mile of travel, a few moments of time, a fellow of my size was ensconced in sweet home and wrapped in sweet sleep. A first-class know-nothing till rosy-sweet morning was wide over the fields. To awake and look abroad and remember the night was to be filled with sweet melody. A while at the organ brought forth a piece of music now known as “The Unclouded Day.” A day and a half was bestowed on the four stanzas.” This version comes from Willie's first (and best) gospel album, 1976's The Troublemaker. This recording features Willie at his best as this is one of the most fun and energetic versions of this song and Willie's voice and guitar playing are in top form. Gospel means "good news", so it is no wonder that so much of it is so joyful and this is about as joyful as it gets. 

Today's musical selection ends with Sons of the Pioneers with Will There be Sagebrush in Heaven. This recording comes from their most recent album, 2024's Campfire Spirituals. The group had previously recorded this song in 1947, though the group of course had a completely different line up at that time.  

Now for a message from the Rev. Billy Graham. 

Now for an episode of Roy Rogers radio show. 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4

The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:24

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3

Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. Hebrews 13:18

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

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