Cowboy Church #189

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Thank You God. This is the A-side of a 1956 Little Golden Record. The B-side was Let There Be Peace on Earth.

This is followed by Roy Clark with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition, when he made a collection of his writings entitled Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous.

Next comes The Carter Family's 1938 recording of Walking in the King's Highway. 

This followed by The Sons of the San Joaquin with their cover of The Sons of the Pioneers song, Read the Bible. This song was written by Tim Spencer, one of the Pioneer's founding members. The Sons of San Joaquin' version comes from their 1997 gospel album, Gospel Trails. 

Up next is Lorretta Lynn with Gethsemane. This song comes from her 1970 gospel album, The Gospel Spirit. This song speaks about how perfectly Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the words the prophets had written long before it came to be. 

Afterwards is Marty Robbins with There's Power in the Blood. No matter how much we may love something this world has to offer us, none of it can ever compare to the power in Jesus' blood. For nothing else has the power to give us salvation or peace in times when we feel peace is impossible.

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of What You Gonna Say To Peter. I don't know about you but it always amazes me knowing that one day, when I go to heaven, I am going to see so many of the men and women I have read about in the Bible. It is a humbling and wonderful thought. Of course, nothing though will compare to seeing my lord and savior Jesus Christ. This song was written by the Pioneers' own Bob Nolan, who also sings lead on this song.  

Today's movie trailer is for the wonderful Howard Hawks western, Red River (1948), starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift. As film lovers know, Howard Hawks and John Wayne were a match made in heaven and the films they made together show the talents of both men to perfect advantage. They made five movies together were Red River (1948), Rio Bravo (1959), Hatari (1962), El Dorado (1966) and Rio Lobo (1970). Though John Ford is the director most often associated with John Wayne, Howard Hawks is often the second most thought of director for John Wayne movies. 

If you have trouble reading the pages below click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Motion Picture Herald, 1948

Now for sermon from S.M. Lockridge.

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

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7

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

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4

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

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalms 119:28

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:6

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

Resources Used

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus

 

 

A Pilgrimage to Israel

 As some of you know I have not been blogging the last little bit because I have been in Israel. As a Christian this was more than just a vacation for me. It was a strong spiritual experience. Over the course of this trip I got to truly see the Bible come to life. Stories that I have read all my life now have pictures in my mind to go with them. Now when I read the Bible it no longer seems like I am just reading a book but more like I am watching a movie in my head, the visuals become so real in my mind. Seeing the very real places where the Bible took place gave many of these stories an even more emotional power. This is the type of trip that makes a huge difference in any Christian's life and if you are a Christian I highly recommend you take such a trip.

For they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31

Announcement for my Readers.

 Hello my friends, I hope all is well with each and every one of you. 

For almost two weeks I will be gone out of the country on a trip to Israel with my church. This is a trip I have been looking forward to for years and I am very excited to go. As a Christian, I am so excited to walk where Jesus walked and see where so many of the bible stories I grew up with actually took place. While I am on this trip, I will not be blogging, but as soon as I get back, I will be blogging regularly again.

While I am gone, here is a movie to keep you entertained. 

Giod bless you all and see you at the movies.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Cowboy Church #187

 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. This comes from a 1955 Little Golden Record that also included them singing The Good Lord is Going to Take Care of You.   This song was written by C. Herbert Woolston and is said to have been inspired by Matthew 19:14 ( “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”) The song is to the tune of the 1864 Civil War song, Tramp Tramp Tramp (written by George Fredrick Root). Roy and Dale only sing the refrain of this song as that is all that was commonly used in Sunday schools.

This is followed by Merle Haggard with Victory in Jesus. Though there are many times when we feel defeated, it is important to know that as Christians we have victory in Jesus. He is our savior and no matter what happens to us on Earth, one day we will find ourselves in heaven, where there will be blessings beyond anything we have ever known or could ever imagine. By dying on the cross, Jesus has won the fight against sin and as we know by the book of Revelations, one day he is coming back to Earth to put Satan in chains. Merle is joined on this song by his good friend, Albert E. Brumley Jr.

Next comes Kris Kristofferson and Larry Gatlin with Help Me. In 1971 Connie Smith had invited Kris Kristofferson to the Evangel Temple. Jimmie Snow (the pastor of the church) had asked Larry Gatlin, who was a member of this church and currently worker as a janitor, to come up and sing a song he wrote. That song was Help Me and it had a major effect on Kris. Kris would later say, "It was what I guess you call a religious experience. I've never had one before or since. To this day I don't know why I did it. I think Jimmy sensed I didn't know what I was doing because he asked me if I was ready to be saved and I told him I didn't know. He put his hand on my shoulder and asked me to get down on my knees. There were a number of us kneeling and I don't remember what he was saying. It was something about freedom from guilt. All I can remember is that I broke into tears. I was weeping and when it was over I felt like I had been purged. I was carrying a lot of guilt at that time. I felt I had disappointed my family, my friends, my ancestors and everybody that knew me. So I wrote that song [Why Me Lord]." Because of the effect this song had on Kris, Kris recorded the song as a duet with Larry Gatlin on his 1972 album, Jesus Was a Capricorn. Kris later talked about this saying, "I did it because I loved the song and was so grateful for the effect it had on me. To further demonstrate my gratitude, I put it on the B-side of my single Why Me instead of one of my own, giving Larry mechanical royalties on the biggest single I ever had. Payback!"

This followed by Rex Allen with his recording of Sleep Little Moses. This song comes from his 1959 album, Mister Cowboy. As well as my fellow country music fans, my fellow movie buffs might also know Rex Allen. Like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, Rex had starred in some singing cowboy B westerns in the 1950's. However today his movie career might be best remembered by Disney buffs for narrating such Disney films as The Legend of Lobo (1962), The Incredible Journey (1963) and Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar (1967). He also narrated the Hanna-Barbera feature film, Charolette's Web (1973). 

Personal Jesus is an example of how a song can take on a meaning to a listener that the author did not intend. Johnny Cash said that this was a song he wished that he had wrote. He felt it summarized perfectly man's relationship with God. That Jesus is always willing to forgive and have a relationship with anyone who desires to know him. Yet this when Martin Gore had originally wrote this song, he did not intend it to be actually about the Christian faith. He wrote it after having read Pricillia Presley's book Elvis and Me. Gore would state, "It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships." 

Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of 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.

Today's musical selection ends with The Charlie Daniels Band with Awesome God.

Today's movie trailer is The Far Country (1954). This was the fourth of the great series of western films that director Anothony Mann and actor James Stewart made together. Despite having made so many Westerns together though the biggest hit the two collaborated on was the musical biopic, The Glenn Miller Story (1954). The three westerns the two made before this film were Winchester '73 (1950), Bend of the River (1952) and The Naked Spur (1953). The two made one more western together, The Man from Laramie (1955). They were set to make Night Passage (1957) together, but Mann was replaced as the director. 

If you have trouble reading the contempary review of The Far Country click on the page below and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Motion Picture Daily, 1955

Now for a sermon by S.M. Lockridge.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks for joining me. There will be no Cowboy Church post for the next two weeks, because I will be on a trip to Israel with my church. However when I get back, these weekly posts will soon continue. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-leaning-on-the-everlasting-arms

Cowboy Church #183

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording with Rounded Up in Glory.

This is followed by Loretta Lynn with He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.  It is unknown who exactly wrote this song because it had been passed down through oral tradition long before it was ever published. However we do know that it was first published in 1927 in a Hymnal titled  Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New. In 1933 Frank Warner, a folk art collector and singer, heard Sue Thomas sing this in North Carolina. Frank Warner then preformed and introduced this song throughout the U.S.A. In 1941 Robert Sonkin recorded a version of this wonderful hymn. This version of the song comes from Lorretta's 1968 album, The Gospel Spirit. 

Now for Randy Travis with Open the Eyes of My Heart. 

Next is Guy Penrod with Nothing But the Blood of Jesus. This hymn was written by Robert Lowry who wrote more than 500 hymns. About his hymn writing Lowry stated “Music, with me has been a side issue… I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer.” 

Afterwards is Kris Kristofferson with They Killed Him. This song (written by Kris) pays tribute to three heroes of Kris. Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr. and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is a shame that in this world, people who preach a message of love can often get killed for doing it. As Christians though love for others should be a major priority. After all God us love and it is through love that we can best see him.  Despite Kris writing this song he was not the first to record it. Kris would record the song in 1986, but Johnny Cash had already recorded it in 1984. In 1986 Bob Dylan also recorded the song for his Knocked Out Loaded album. 

Next Gene Autry sings the cowboy gospel classic The Last Roundup in a clip from the movie, The Last Round Up (1947). This isn't the first time he recorded this song. He made a studio recording of it on October 9, 1933. Though the song had previously appeared in Ziegfield Follies of 1933, it was Gene's recording that made this a cowboy music standard. He would also sing it again in the movie The Singing Hill (1941). With how popular this song was for Gene, it is no surprise that it would become the title tune for one of his movies. This song was written by Tin Pan Alley songwriter Billy Hill. Billy Hill had also written the cowboy music standard, Empty Saddles which was recorded by such great artists as Bing Crosby, Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Dean Martin, Sons of the San Joaquin and even Gene himself. 

Now for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing, It is No Secret. This song was written by cowboy singer and actor Stuart Hamblen. Before turning to God, this man's life could hardly be considered Godly. He often drank and fought and this often landed him in jail. When in 1949 Hamblin went to a Billy Graham crusade, he turned his life over to God. The drinking and fighting were put behind him and his whole life changing. One day he was talking about this change to his good friend John Wayne (yes that John Wayne) and that it was no secret what God had done for him. John Wayne said, that he should write a song with those lyrics.  Stuart Hamblen had also had a brief movie career and appeared in the Roy Rogers movie, The Arizona Kid (1939).

Today's musical selection ends with Alan Jackson singing Standing on the Promises of God. This hymn was written by Russell Carter in 1886. Working as a sheep herder he developed a heart condition. This led him to pray much more often, and he began to get closer to God every day. When he was healed, he vowed to "stand on the promises of God" and wrote this song. 

Today's movie trailer is for the wonderful Howard Hawks western, Rio Bravo (1959). This film has a fantastic cast including John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Ward Bond and Walter Brennen and has rightful gone down in film history as a truly great western. For cowboy music fans, this movie features the wonderful song, My Riffle, My Pony and Me which is sung as a duet between Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson. This film has become a favorite of many great filmmakers with Quention Tarantino even once stating that if his date didn't like this movie there will be no relationship. 

The following is a 1959 article from American Cinematographer, talking about the cinematography for Rio Bravo. If you have any trouble reading it click on the pages and use your touch screen to zoom in.  

Next is a short message from the Rev. Billy Graham.

Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing. Proverbs 28:6

Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Proverbs 28:27

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

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

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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

Resources Used

Public Cowboy no. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry by Holly George-Warren

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/nothing-but-the-blood/#.Yucz4mPMK3A

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

 

Cowboy Church #180

 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 in the Morning. There is no better way to start your day than by talking to and praising Jesus. If you do this, it has a tendency to make a good day even better and a bad day much easier to make it through. 

This is followed by Don Gibson with his 1958 recording of Where No One Stands Alone. Singing background vocals here are the Jordanaires. This is a group that Elvis fans will be very familiar with as they backed him up on some of his finest gospel and pop recordings. The group would later remember that after performing Peace in the Valley on the Eddy Arnold Show in 1954, a young man approached them saying, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." That young man was Elvis Presley. Hearing this kind of thing often, the group assumed they would never hear from Elvis again, but they certainly did. 

  Next is Randy Travis with O How I Love Jesus. This is a song that shows us how something beautiful can come out of something tragic. This song was written in 1925 by John Braselton Fillmore and came out of the death of his son three years earlier at the age of five. John would later state, "’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.” Even though this song was and is one of the most popular hymns, Fillmore lived his life as a poor janitor struggling to get by. He would only get $36 for writing this song, not even much for the 1920's. 

Afterwards comes Gene Autry's 1946 recording of When it's Roundup Time in Heaven. 

Then comes The Gatlin Brothers with I Have Not Been About My Father's Business. Christianity should not be something passive that we believe in and do nothing with. Instead it is something we should be living each day from when we wake up to when we go to sleep. 

Now we join everybody's favorite hippie/cowboy Willie Nelson with Can't Have Your Hate and Jesus. This wonderful song comes from Willie's 1994 gospel album, Peace in the Valley. About singing gospel music Willie has stated “I don’t ever remember not playing and singing gospel music. My grandparents were music teachers and they were gospel singers. The first music that I heard was gospel music, so it’s not that unusual that I would be so much into it.”

Next comes Johnny Cash singing Let the Lower Lights Be Burning. In the notes for the box set Unearthed, John wrote, "This is a very special song for me, and I'll tell you what it means to me now. When my father was dying, he was in a coma, and all my brothers and sisters and I were gathered around the bed, and we felt like telling him goodbye. But my oldest sister Louise said, 'Let's sing to him.' So we started singing 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning.' At some point I looked at him and, though he had been sound asleep in a coma for days, his lips started moving and he started singing that song along with us. The more we would sing it the more he sang. And he opened his eyes and he looked around at us as we were singing. Ad of course everybody had a good cry as watched him and listened to him as he sang 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning' with us."

Today's musical selection ends with a favorite of mine to use on these posts, The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of 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.

Today's trailer is for an all time classic from the great director George Stevens, Shane (1953). Before becoming a director, George Stevens had worked as a cinematographer at Hal Roach Studios working on many Laurel and Hardy films and other classic comedy shorts. 

Paramount World, 1958

Now for the C.S. Lewis essay, Evil and God.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

 For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. Deuteronomy 20:4

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another selection of classic cartoons. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

https://stillisstillmoving.com/willienelson/willie-nelson-album-peace-in-the-valley-re-released/

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

http://www.jordanaires.net/about/us.htm

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-leaning-on-the-everlasting-arms

Johnny Cash: Unearthed Box Set 

Cowboy Church #178

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with The Lord is Gonna Take Good Care of You. This recording is the B-side of a 1955 Little Golden Record made by Roy and Dale (the A-side was Jesus Loves the Little Children). 

Next comes Randy Travis with a song that has become a staple at many Christian churches today, Here I am to Worship. The song was written by Tim Hughes, a worship leader in Britian. As well as being a worship leader and an ordained minister, he has also released six worship albums, the first of which was titled, Here I am to Worship and introduced this great song.  

This is followed by Lynn Anderson singing Put Your Hand in the Hand. This song was written by Gene MacMellan. Music fans would have first heard this song when Anne Murray recorded it for her 1970 album, Honey, Wheat and Laughter (MacMellan had also written Murray's signature song, Snowbird). Yet it became a major hit when the rock band Ocean recorded it in 1971. Ocean was not a Christian band and felt no strong connection with the message of this song. Because of this they were hesitant to record the song, because people might misunderstand what kind of band they were. They did record the song and many people did view them as gospel band much to their dismay. After this version became a major hit, many other recorded the song including Elvis Presley, Joan Beaz, Johnny Cash, Tennesse Ernie Ford and even Bing Crosby. Lynn Anderson's version is one of my favorite recordings of this song and appeared on her 1971 album, You're My Man. 

Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. This recording is to me a perfect gospel recording. Gospel means "good news" and therefore it only makes sense for gospel to be a joyous genre and this wonderful recording executes joy at every turn. When I am down this version of this classic hymns always picks me up. I may use this quite a bit on these Cowboy Church posts, but there is completely a reason for that.

Then comes Barbera Mandrell with I Love to Tell the Story. When recovering from a sickness, Arabella Katherine Hankey wrote a poem about the life of Christ. This poem was broken into two parts the first being called The Story Wanted (published in January, 1866) and the second called The Story Told (published in November, 1866). I Love to Tell the Story comes from this second part. In 1869 William G. Fisher put this text to music and that is the version we know today. Still it is worth noting that Hankey wrote her own music for these words, but her music was seldom used and is now forgotten. 

Afterwards comes The Gatlin Brothers with It is Well With My Soul. Though this is a hymn of hope and peace it was written in a time of great sadness. The song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He had planned a European trip for himself, his wife and four daughters, however because of his work he was unable to go, and he let his family go without him and after he finished his work, he would meet them there. However, the ship was hit and quickly sank. Though his wife was saved all four of his daughters had gone down with the ship. Amazingly he wrote this hymn when approaching an area near where his daughters had sunk.

We continue with The Statler Brothers with Less of Me. This song comes from their 1969 gospel album, Oh Happy Day and was written by none other than Glen Campbell.  

Today's musical selection ends with The Carter Family with their 1937 recording of Hold Fast to the Right. 

Today's movie trailer is a classic John Ford directed film starring John Wayne and Henry Fonda, Fort Apache (1948). This movie also features a more grown-up Shirley Temple. I am different from many people as these more grown-up movies were my introduction to Shirley Temple. This film along with She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Rio Grande (1950) made up John Ford's cavalry trilogy. 

Radio Flash, 1948

Next comes the C.S. Lewis essay, Myth Becomes Fact.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand. Isaiah 14:24

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

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

Cowboy Church #176

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Heavenly Airplane. This song was written by Bob Nolan, one of the group's founding members and one of my favorite songwriters. As well as writing this song, Bob also sings lead. Also in the group at this time was Leonard Syle, who would later become known as Roy Rogers. This was towards the end of his time as a member of The Sons of the Pioneers. He would leave the band with dreams of movie stardom and dreams that he certainly would reach. Roy would later write, "Seventy-five dollars a week, each and every week! That's what Republic agreed to pay me for the next seven years. I was sitting on the top of the world. Before I signed, I had to wrangle out of the contract the Sons of the Pioneers had only recently signed with Columbia Pictures. Actually that was easy. Harry Cohn the studio boss, was happy to release me so long as I promised to find someone to replace me in the group. His decision made my move to Republic possible, and also underscored why I wanted to be at Republic rather than Columbia. I would have been just another cowboy singer at Gower Gluch - easily replaceable - rather than the potential leading man the way they were talking at Republic. Besides Republic made the best most action packed westerns in those days." To replace him in the Sons of the Pioneers, Roy got Pat Brady, who would later become his "comical sidekick" on Roy's TV show. There was no hard feelings between Roy and the Sons of the Pioneers. Though Roy was no longer a member of the group, they would appear together in many films and record many songs together. This is followed by Charlie Rich with Amazing Grace. This hymn was written by John Newton in 1772. It is no coincidence that John Newton wrote this hymn, as he was someone who badly needed God's grace. Looking at his life before he gave it to God, there is not much to find that is admirable and in fact some of what we see is downright horrific. He played a part in one of the darkest (if not the darkest) parts of American history. He was a slave trader. To say that slavery in the United States was a tragedy and a horrible part of our history is an incredible understatement, and this man was a part of that horrific system. Later he even admitted that he treated the human beings that he was bringing over harshly. If there is anyone, we in our humanness would think is beyond God to reach it would be this guy. Yet God did reach him and being God completely changed him. He not only abandoned his job, but he gave his life to God's ministry and helped fight slavery every step of the way. If God could do this with him who is to say that any of us or anyone we know could possibly be out of God's power to reach. Next comes the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet with There's Power in the Blood. This song was written in 1889 by Lewis Edgar Jones while at a camp meeting taking place at Mountain Lake Park, MD. This is followed by George Jones with Give Me Just One Day. We only have so much time on this Earth and none of us know how long we will be here. Therefore it is important for us to let God use us any way he can, during our time on Earth. Now for Randy Travis 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. Next comes The Charlie Daniels Band with Jesus Died For Me. This song cam from their first gospel album, The Door.  In his memoir, Never Look at the Empty Seats, Charlie Daniels wrote, "I think the most pressure I was ever under as a songwriter was when I wrote the songs for our first gospel album, The Door. It was such a special project to me. I wanted it to be much more than just another gospel album. I wanted the lyrics to have impact and hopefully speak to some of the people who, like me, had such a hard time understanding the gospel message and were falling through the cracks." Charlie worked very hard on each song and rewrote some multiple times. The effort paid off. This fantastic 1994 album shows The Charlie Daniels Band at their best and it won them their first Dove Award. Next we join the Maddox Brothers and Rose for their 1949 recording of the southern gospel classic I’ll Fly Away. This song was written by  Albert Edward Brumley and was first published in 1932. He grew up in Oklahoma and when he wrote this song he was living in Rock Island, Oklahoma where he was helping his family plant and pick cotton. This was hard and grueling work and Brumley later admitted, “Actually, I was dreaming of flying away from that cotton field when I wrote ‘I’ll Fly Away.’” Today’s musical selection ends with Roy Rogers singing Peace in the Valley. he hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey who later explained the origins of this song, “Peace in the Valley,” “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late 1930s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question, “What’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace?” Out of those thoughts came “Peace in the Valley.” 

Now for a discussion of the classic western, 7 Men From Now (1956).

Motion Picture Daily, 1956

Now a message from Pastor Greg Laurie. 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

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

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" Matthew 6:24-25

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

Resources Used

Happy Trails: Our Life Story by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. 

http://www.trialanderrorcollective.com/collective-collab-blogs--playlists/ill-fly-away-a-brief-history-of-the-quintessential-gospel-song-and-ten-great-renditions

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/peace-in-the-valley/#.YmbFre3MK3A

Linus Van Pelt - Theologian

 

Cowboy Church #134

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Sweet Hour of Prayer on their 1957 album of the same name. This hymn was written by William Walford. Walford was a wood craver who had little to no formal education. However what he did have was a very close relationship with God. Those who knew him said that he knew the bible by heart and this man was even asked to share sermons at his church. One day around  1845 Pastor Thomas Salmon visited William Walford. Walford asked Salmon to write down a poem he had in his head. Salmon was so amazed by this poem that he right away sought to get it published. After Walford's death, William Bradbury wrote music for this poem and the hymn as we know it first appeared in the 1859 hymnal, Church Melodies. Bradbury had also composed music for such hymns as Just as I Am and He Leadeth Me. Next comes 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). This is followed by Sonny James with Be With Me Lord from his 1966 gospel album, Til the Last Leaf Shall Fall. Johnny Cash once asked Sonny James (when John was first starting out), how to live the life of an entertainer and still be a strong Christian. Sonny responded with "John the way I do it is by being the way I am. I am not just an entertainer who became a Christian. I am a Christian who chose to be an entertainer. I am first a Christian. Remember that what you are and the life you live sings louder than any song. And don't forget to pray." Next we join The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1946 recording of Cowboy Camp Meeting. This song was written by one of the group's founding members Tim Spencer. Next is Billy Cate singing God Must Have Been a Cowboy at Heart from his 2017 album, A Cowboy's Prayer. This is followed by singer, banjo player and first star of the Grand Old Opry, Uncle Dave Macon with his 1927 recording of Shall We Gather at the River. Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash and U2 with The Wanderer. This song was written by Bono in 1993 (under the working title The Preacher). The song was inspired by the book of Ecclesiastes, but takes place in a future time with a narrator who is worried about the lack of God in society. It is considered to be one of Bono's best songs, but for some reason whenever he tried to record it himself, it didn't work for him. Then he came up with the brilliant idea of having Johnny Cash sing the song (this idea came to Bono when he learned Johnny was going to be in Dublin). Bono would say that Johnny would teach him a lot about how to deliver a song like this during this recording section giving advice about how to put over each word effectively. Johnny told a reporter, "I don't know if it will ever be released or even what it's called." The song would be released on the U2 album, Zooropa  (one of U2's most experimental albums) and John would state that this song gave him a sense of artistic renewal.

The following is an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show, that aired July 26, 1942. 

Up next is C.S. Lewis reading his essay, Two Ways With the Self.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Proverbs 11:24

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

 John 3:34

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:11

Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Exodus 22:21

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. Leviticus 19:33

Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. Genesis 3:20

 Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? Malachi 2:10

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:3-6 

 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever 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. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers,

    because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children,  because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men,  because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 1 John 2:1-29

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

Resources Used

http://www.limerickcitychurch.com/blog/hymn-history-sweet-hour-of-prayer

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-sweet-hour-of-prayer

https://www.countrythangdaily.com/peace-in-the-valley-red-foley/

Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon by Greg Laurie and Marshall Terrill. 

Cowboy Church #132

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Lead Me Gently Home, Father. This is followed by The Charlie Daniels Band with Softly and Tenderly. This hymn was written Will Lamartine Thompson. As well as writing gospel songs Thompson also wrote quite a few secular songs and parotic songs. When the songs he wrote were rejected by publishers he created his own company,  Will L. Thompson & Company. This company would not only publish music by sell musical instruments. Softly and Tenderly first appeared in 1880's Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, a collection of songs from the company. This version of the song comes from CDB's 2001 gospel album, How Sweet the Sound. Unlike earlier Christian albums from the band, this album featured no original songs, instead relying on traditional gospel numbers. Next comes Kris Kristofferson with Burden of Freedom. This version of the song comes from Kris' 1972 album, Burden of Freedom. He would later make another version for his 2006 album, This Old Road. A year before Kris wrote this song he had responded to an alter call and this song and Why Me Lord were responses to what that spiritual experience, one that Kris himself admitted he didn't fully understand yet. Around this time a resurgence was happening with Christian music. A lot had happened in recent years and as many young people had turned to God, they brought along their own types of music, that meant something to them personally. Therefore much Christian music was no longer hymns but mire contemporary sounding music that payed tribute to God while reflecting the world these young Christians had grown up in. Johnny Cash would often play before these audiences as part of concerts mostly made up of the younger artists. Feeling it would be good for Kris to be in such an environment, John invited Kris and his wife Rita Coolidge to perform as well. Kris would play his own songs like Burden of Freedom or Why Me Lord. Yet Kris felt decidedly uncomfortable at these concerts. He would say about the experience, "I was singing songs, I thought were spiritual but people wanted to hear more songs specifically about Jesus. Eventually I had to tell John that I couldn't do these type of shows anymore I felt like a hypocrite."  Next comes Billy Cate with Christian Cowboy. This is followed by Dwight Yoakam and Ralph Stanley with Miner's Prayer. The music continues with Tennessee Ernie Ford singing I Love to Tell the Story.  When recovering from a sickness, Arabella Katherine Hankey wrote a poem about the life of Christ. This poem was broken into two parts the first being called The Story Wanted (published in January, 1866) and the second called The Story Told (published in November, 1866). I Love to Tell the Story comes from this second part. In 1869 William G. Fisher put this text to music and that is the version we know today. Still it is worth noting that Hankey wrote her own music for these words, but her music was seldom used and is now forgotten. Today's musical selection ends with The Purple Hulls with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition,  when he made a collection of his writings entitled  Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous. 

 

Here is an episode of Roy Rogers' radio show. It guest stars Sara Berner (who did voices for quite a few Looney Tunes cartoons and appeared in live action in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954)). 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 4:16

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Proverbs 15:8

 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Let the words of my mouth Meaning either his speech in common conversation, which should not be filthy and foolish, rotten and corrupt; but such as ministers grace to the hearer: or else his address to God, both in prayer and thanksgiving; and the meditation of my heart. Psalm 19:14

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

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

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

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

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-softly-and-tenderly-jesus-is-calling

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-i-love-to-tell-the-story

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus

 

Cowboy Church #131

 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 everyday. 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 Jim Reeves with The Flowers, The Sunset, the Trees. This song comes from Jim’s 1967 album, My Cathedral. Next comes Johnny Cash with Nazarene. This self-penned song comes from John's 1968 album, The Holy Land. This album was inspired by a trip to Israel that he and his wife, June Carter Cash took. As well songs, this album also included spoken word recordings that John made as he visited some of these places. After rededicating himself to the lord after years of sin and drugs, John stated, "I don't have a career anymore. What I have is a ministry. Everything I have and everything I do is given completely to Jesus Christ now. I've lived my life for the devil up until now and from here on I'm going to live it for the Lord." Up next is Gene Autry with Peace in the Valley. Thomas A. Dorsey would talk about the writing of this hymn, “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late 1930s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question, 'What’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace?' Out of those thoughts came 'Peace in the Valley.'" Dorsey wrote this song in 1937 for the Queen of Gospel, Mahala Jackson. Gene's recording comes from an episode of his Melody Ranch radio show that aired April 12, 1952. He is backed by The Cass County Boys, The Pnafores, Johnny Bond and Carl Cotner's Orchestra. This is followed by Red Foley with his 1951 recording of Where Could I Go But to the Lord. This song was written in 1940 by James Buchanan Coats. He was standing beside a dying neighbor, an African American man named Joe Keyes. Coates asked Keyes if he knew where he was going after he died. Keyes responded, "Where Could I Go But to the Lord." Up next is Elvis Presley with An American Trilogy. This medley was meant to represent the Civil War Era and includes three 19th century songs: Dixie, The Battle Hymn of the Old Republic and All My Trials. The medley was created by county singer/songwriter Mickey Newbury. It would become a staple of Elvis' concerts in the 1970's. This version comes from his famous 1973 concert, Aloha From Hawaii. Today's musical selection ends with one of my favorites, The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. 

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and  believe in your heart  that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:10

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5

He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. Proverbs 14:21

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 1 Samuel 12:23

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

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

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/peace-in-the-valley/#.YQ_zBvKSlPY

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/where-could-i-go-but-to-the-lord/#.YQ_07vKSlPY