Cowboy Church #236

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

Today’s musical selection begins with the King of the Cowboys and The Queen of the West, 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 Moe Bandy with 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.

Afterwards comes Blind Willie Johnson with his 1927 recording of Jesus Make up My Dying Bed. Bob Dylan would later perform this song on his 1962 debut album and Led Zepplin would later record it on their 1975 album, Physical Graffiti. Both Bob Dylan and Led Zepplin would record the song under the title, In My Time of Dying.

Then comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory. In a 1972 interview Ken Griffis asked Sons of the Pioneers front man, Bob Nolan, "Well, OK. As you progressed as a group, did you use the older type songs as the basis for your programs? Or did you try to blend in more the newer things? Did you try staying with the older things?" Bob responded, "Yeah, we tried to stick strictly to the old ones and, of course, I had an idea or I felt that my songs—the ones that I was writing at the time—were authentic. I tried to keep them authentic. Western." This applied not only to the songs Bob wrote, but the songs the group recorded written by others. There was always a real cowboy feel to nearly all the songs they recorded. That is definitely true here, as this song sounds like something that would feel completely natural in an old west setting. 

This is followed by Jean Shepard with Life's Railway To Heaven. This recording comes from her 1968 gospel album, I'll Fly Away. 

Next is Anne Wilson and Lainey Wilson with an acoustic version of Praying Woman. The two originally recorded this song on Anne Wilson's 2024 album, Rebel. 

Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash singing his self-penned song Man in Black on an episode of his TV show. This song was inspired by a trip John made to Vanderbilt University, where he was asked various questions about himself and what he believes. The song would be released as a single in March 1971 with Little Bit of Yesterday being its B-Side. In May of 1971 it would be the title song of a new album of his. That album also included another political song from John, Singin' in Viet Nam Talkin' Blues, which was released as a single that May as well. That 1971 album was one where John was extremely vocal about his beliefs as it was filled with both political and Christian songs. The title song expresses both his political and Christian beliefs. 

Noe for the tenth chapter of the Buck Jones movie serial, The Red Rider (1934). 



 

Now for a message from Billy Graham.

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Job 6:14

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

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

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14

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