Cowboy Church #177

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Thank You God. Something we too often forget to do is to give God that thanks he deserves. It is impossible to overstate just how blessed we are. We have our friends, our family and a breathtakingly beautiful world to live. Too often we take these things for granted and don't reason, just how much God loves us and just how much he has given us.

Hank Williams Jr. has always been very influenced by blues music. Even though he is better known for his country and southern rock songs, blues has always been a strong part of his music. Ever since the 1980's Hank has been talking about making a blues album. Well, he finally has. Earlier this month, Hank released his first full length blues album, Rich White Honkey Blues. This album mostly consists of covers of classic blues songs. Today's musical selection includes a song off this album. It is his cover of Lighting Hopkin's  Jesus, Won't You Come By Here. 

Next Leadbelly sings Let it Shine on Me. In this great version of the hymn, Leadbelly shows how a hymn was sung differently by different churches but the same basic message stayed the same. 

This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. The song 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. 

Next is Glen Campbell 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. Glen Campbell's version comes from his 1970 gospel album, Oh Happy Day.

Now Randy Travis sings The Heart of Worship.

Now Loretta Lynn sings Softly and Tenderly. The song was written by an Ohio businessman named Will Thompson in 1880.  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. When evangelist Dwight L. Moody was on his death bed he told the songwriter, "Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life." This was appropriate as Will decided to make songwriting his career while at a meeting held by Moody. 

Today's musical selection ends with Gene Autry with his 1946 recording of When its Round Up Time in Heaven. 

Now for the trailer for one my favorites among the John Ford and John Wayne westerns, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949).

And here is John Wayne in a radio version of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.

Showman's Trade Review, 1949

Next is C.S. Lewis' essay, Myth Became Fact.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4

 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:52

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

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

Happy Presidents Day

 

Motion Picture Herald, 1941

The Moving Picture Weekly, 1917

Cowboy Church #76

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with All Wild Things. This song was written by songwriter and actor Stan Jones. Fans of cowboy music will probably recognize the name Stan Jones as he was the writer of Ghost Riders in the Sky. The Sons of the Pioneers' perfect harmonies are especially beautiful here. The recording comes from the boys' 1963 gospel album, Hymns of the Cowboy. Often times great songs grow out of great hardships. Such is true for the gospel classic, Precious Lord Take My Hand. This song was written by Thomas A. Dorsey after the passing of his wife and newborn son in 1932. Though Dorsey had given his life to the Lord and was moving away from his career as a blues singer instead writing gospel songs and even pastoring churches. Still after the death of his beloved wife and child, he began to question his faith. Instead of giving up his faith he turned to prayer. He prayed that God would lead him through all the troubles of life. He put his prayer to music (George Allen's Maitland) and this turned out to be one of his most popular songs. Today's musical selection has Hank Williams performing Take My Hand Precious Lord  on a 1951 episode of his Mother's Best radio show. A Singer of Songs in my mind gets down to the essence of Johnny Cash and honestly when I first I found out I was surprised he had not written it. What is interesting is that when interviewed about this recording for the Unearthed Box set, Johnny stated, "Good song but I don't know whose it is." Producer Rick Rubin in comments for the box set stated that he felt this was "one of the most touching and emotional of all the songs." However he admitted "I have no idea where it came from. I don't even remember recording it." He wondered how he could have possibly missed putting this song on one of the album he and Johnny did together. Johnny's song John Carter Cash however shed light on where this song came from. "Every once in a while I'd bring in a song or two - he knows instantly, when he hears a song , whether it will work out for him or not. This was written by Tim O'Connell." This song was recorded during the sessions for Johnny's third album for Rick Ruben, Solitary Man. Johnny was a heart simply a singer and a story teller and he knew that there was no greater story than that of Jesus Christ. This is followed by The Bailes Brothers with their 1945 recording of I've Got My One Way Ticket to the Sky. After comes Southern Raised performing Beulah Land. Then is Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children. Today's musical selection ends with Hank Williams Jr. singing How Can I Refuse Him Now. Though Hank Williams Jr. is most associated with his rowdy party songs, he has recorded a great variety of music over his career, including this lovely tender gospel ballad. This comes from his 1969 gospel album, Sunday Morning.



 

 

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

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

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

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 then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”  Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. Acts 16:33

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?" If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed. Deuteronomy 18:21-22

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. James 5:13

He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

These things have I spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

Thanks for joining me for another service of Cowboy Church, come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Until then happy trails to you until we meet again. 

-Michael J. Ruhland