Cowboy Church #182

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with 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.

This is followed by Frank Luther with his 1931 recording of Jacob's Ladder. 

Then comes the Carolina Gospel Singers with their 1929 recording of Jesus Paid It All. Elvina Hall wrote the words to this hymn on the flyleaf of her hymn book and handed it to her pastor. Meanwhile the church's organist John Grape handed the pastor a new piece of music he had just written. Noticing that the poem and the music fit together perfectly, the pastor put the two together and the hymn was born. The hymn came to be in 1865.

Afterwards is Johnny Cash with This Train is Bound for Glory. This wonderful recording comes from John's 1979 album, A Believer Sings the Truth. This was a double length gospel album and Columbia Records felt that such an album from John could never be successful. However, Columbia allowed John to release the album on its own and it was successful earning a spot in the Country Top 50. A shorter version of the album called I Believe would be released in 1984, which would feature a select few songs from the double album. A Believer Sings the Truth would not find its way to CD until 2012.

Next is Anne Wilson with God and Country. This comes from her most recent album 2024's God and Country. 

Then is The Weavers with their 1951 recording of Poor Little Jesus. At this time their lineup included Lee Hays, Fred Hellerman, Pete Seeger and Ronnie Gilbert.  

Next is Hank Williams Jr. with Are You Walkin' And Talkin' For The Lord. This comes from his 1969 gospel album, Sunday Morning. 

Today's musical selection ends with Sons of the Pioneers with Read the Bible Every Day. This song was written by Tim Spencer, one of the founding members of the group. This version of the song is from their newest album, 2024's Campfire Spirituals. However the Sons of the Pioneers had recorded this song before in 1947 (though of course they had completely different members at the time.   

Now for a message from S. M. Lockridge. 

Now for an episode of the Lone Ranger radio show. 

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:22

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

 The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth. Isaiah 26:7

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. James 2:8

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