Cowboy Church #191

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Whispering Hope. This beautiful hymn comes from the pen of Alice Hawthorne (the pen name for poet Septimus Winner), who is best known for her contributions to children's music with songs like, Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? and Ten Little Indians.

This is followed by Kitty Wells with Jesus is Coming Soon. This recording comes from her 1965 gospel album, The Kitty Wells Family Sings Gospel Songs.

Then comes Wade Mainer, Zeke Morris, and Homer Sherrill with their 1937 recording of Just One Way to the Pearly Gates.

Next is Merle Haggard and The Carter Family 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. This version of the classic hymn comes Merle's 1971 gospel album, The Land of Many Churches. 

Afterwards is Red Sovine with his 1956 recording of I Got Religion the Old Time Way. Red co-wrote this song with fellow country singer Webb Pierce. 

Now for Tennessee Ernie Ford with Blessed Assurance.  This hymn came about when songwriter Fanny Crosby visited composer Phoebe Palmer Knapp. Knapp played a tune for Crosby and asked what came to her mind with that tune. Crosby said, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!" She then immediately followed it with more lyrics that would be in the finished song. The song was published in 1873 and first appeared in a monthly magazine for which the editors were Joseph Fairchild Knapp and Phoebe Palmer Knapp (who were husband and wife). When it later appeared in 1887's Gospel Songs, No. 5 by Ira Sankey, this we lead it to greater fame as it would be commonly sung in the revivals of Dwight L. Moody and Sankey. By 1889, the hymn commonly appeared in Methodist hymnals. 

This is followed by Bob Dylan singing In the Garden. This recording comes from the second of Bob's three Christian albums, 1980's Saved. 

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1951 recording of The Wonderous Word of the Lord. Hugh Farr delivers the wonderful bass vocals on this recording. 

Now for an episode of the Roy Rogers radio show. 

Now for a message from the Reverand Billy Graham. 

 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 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalms 9:1

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

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