Cowboy Church #214

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Have You Read the Bible Today. It is important for each of us to read our Bible each and every day. The Bible is not just some book, it is the living breathing word of God. It is easy for our faith and Christian Walk to become idle and stagnant and the easiest way for this to happen is to simply not read our Bible. Taking some time each day to read the Bible is the best way for our faith and our walk with God to continue growing and maturing.  This recording is the B-side of a 1955 Little Golden Record by Roy and Dale. The A-side was The Bible Tells Me So. 

This is followed by Henry Burr with 1909 recording of Abide with Me. 

Afterwards is a real classic Red Foley's 1951 recording of Peace in the Valley. On September 19, 1968, Red Foley was doing a show in Fort Wayne, Indiana with Billy Walker and Hank Williams Jr. Billy Walker took the time they had together and share his faith in Christ. Red asked Billy, “Do you think God could ever forgive a sinner like me?” Billy told his friend, "Red, if God can forgive me, He can forgive you." The two then prayed together. Red ended that night's set with Peace in the Valley. After his set was over Red said to Billy, "Billy, I’ve never sung that song and feel the way I do tonight.” Later that night Red died in his sleep of respiratory failure. Hank Jr. would write a song about this last day entitled I Was with Red Foley (The Night He Passed Away). 

Then comes Cowboy Copas with his 1963 cover of the Roy Acuff song, Wreck on the Highway. 

Next is Sonny James with the song An Open Feild. This song comes from his 1966 gospel album, Til the Last Leaf Should Fall. 

Next comes Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings with The Greatest Cowboy of Them All. This is a song about heroes and all of us have our heroes. While these heroes may be entertainers, writers, political figures, intellectuals and humanitarians, when you put any of them up against Jesus Christ, they simply pale in comparison. This because even someone who is great by human standards is nothing when compared to the glory of God.  

This followed by Lainey Wilson with You, Me and Jesus. This song comes from her 2024 album, Whirlwind. 

Now for The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. The song itself dates back to 1913 and was written by evangelist, George Bennard. Actually, the first verse was written in 1912. It was written while Bennard was a part of a series of revival meetings in Albion, Michigan. He was worried about the complete disregard for the gospel around him and wrote this verse as a repose. Of writing it Bennard said, "I seemed to have a vision ... I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable." The song wouldn't be completed for several months, when he was leading meetings at a local church in Pokagan, Michigan. He played it for Rev. Leroy (the sponsoring pastor) and his wife, Ruby Bostwick, both of whom found themselves moved to tears. It was then incorporated into a service at that church on June 7, 1913. The song has the same effect today as it must have back then.

Today's musical selection ends with Rex Allen with The Little Old Church in the Valley. 

Now for a message from Billy Graham.

Now for an episode from the Hopalong Cassidy radio show. 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

If you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday. Isaiah 58:10 

- Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matthew 5:42

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. James 5:7-8

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