Cowboy Church #223

 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 Loves the Little Children.  Jesus would state, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." There is no doubt that Jesus did love the little children and he loves us big children too. If we will humble ourselves and become like little children, the blessings he has for us are immeasurable. 

This is followed by Dick Robertson with his 1933 recording of The Last Round Up.

Afterwards is Willie Nelson with It's Not for Me to Understand. Willie talked about this song in his book, It's a Long Story: My Life, "The questions raised by the Bible - questions that had been entertained by deep thinkers like Khalil Gibran and Edgar Cayce - had no easy answers. I imagined a blind boy in a school yard, listening to the other children play. Again, the questioning began ... 'It's Not for Me to Understand' became one of the key songs and led to even more pleadings on my part. The sign came in the form of the lyrics. I don't feel that I wrote them. More accurately, I have to say that I felt like I channeled them." This song comes from one of Willie's best albums 1971's Yesterday's Wine. Willie himself would say, "I thought Yesterday's Wine was my most honest album to date."

Then comes Backwoods Bluegrass with Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. This hymn began with a man named Anthony Showalter. As a fan of gospel music and an elder in a Presbyterian church, he held many "singing schools" at various churches in the south. One day he received two letters from former students who were struggling after their wives had passed. To respond to these letters, Showalter consulted scripture. He came across Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." After reading this verse lyrics for a song chorus went through his head and he wrote down, "“Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” After using this in the letters to his former students he sent this chorus to his friend hymnist, Elisha Hoffman. In the letter he also wrote, “Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27, but I can’t come up with the verses.” Hoffman then wrote the rest of the lyrics to which Showalter put to music. The hymn was published in 1887.

Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with What Wonderful Joy. The group recorded this song in Chicago in September 1941.  

Now for Merle Haggard with a medley of Take My Hand Precious Lord and Jesus Hold My Hand. This comes from his 1971 gospel album, The Land of Many Churches. On this recording The Carter Family is providing the background vocals.  

Afterwards is The Stanley Brothers with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. This is truly a lovely recording of this old hymn. 

Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash with his self-penned I Came to Believe. John recorded this song in 1984, however the song would not be released until 2014, after John had passed. It was released on the album, Out Among the Stars, which was a collection of newly discovered lost recording sessions John did in the 1980's.

 

Now for a sermon from Martin Luther King Jr. 

Now for an episode of Roy Rogers' TV show.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:11

The rich and the poor have a common bond; the Lord is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2

You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns. Deuteronomy 24:14

You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. Exodus 22:21

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