Cowboy Church #162

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers singing The Mystery of His Way. This song was written by one of the group's founding members (and one of my favorite songwriters), Bob Nolan. This recording comes from the group's 1963 gospel album, Hymns of the Cowboy. This is followed by Elvis Presley's 1960 recording of I Believe in the Man in the Sky. For this recording of the song, Elvis copied an early recording of this song nearly note for note. This earlier recording was The Statesmen Quartet's version of this song. Elvis grew up listening to the Statesmen Quartet and their lead singer Jake Hess was Elvis' boyhood hero. To say his singing style had a major influence on Elvis would be an understatement. Singer Johnny Rivers would once recall, "One of Elvis' idols when he was young was Jake Hess of the Statesmen Quartet. If you listen to some of their recordings, you'll hear some of that style that is now Elvis Presley's style, especially in his ballad singing. He was playing some of their records one day and he said, 'Now you know where I got my style.'" With this in mind it is no surprise that with this recording Elvis sought to emulate this group so much.  Up next is Red Stegall with Now That I Have Accepted Your Love. This song has an important message for all of us. Giving our lives to Christ should make this world look different and more beautiful to all of us. I know this is true in my life. The times in which I have felt closest to God, have been the times this world and this life have seemed incredibly beautiful to me. But if I forget to pray or read my bible, I do not see the beauty of this life the way I do when I do both of those things. This is followed by The Statler Brothers with In the Sweet By and By.  This song came about because of a friendship between composer, Joseph Webster and poet, Dr. Sanford Fillmore Bennett. One day Webster was depressed, and Dr. Bennett recognized this. Dr. Bennett asked his friend what was wrong. Webster replied, "Oh nothing. Everything will be alright by and by." These words brought up an idea in Bennett and he wrote down three verses and a chorus to this song as soon as he could. He handed it to his friend saying, “Here is your prescription, Joe.” Webster loved the lyrics and wrote music for them in practically no time at all. Dr. Bennett later said, “It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn.” The hymn was first published in 1868 and went on to great fame since. This version of the hymn comes from The Statler's 1983 album, Today. Now for The Maddox Brothers and Rose's 1949 recording of We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder. Next is Willie Nelson with I Thought About You Lord. About writing this song Willie stated that he was inspired by performing with his sister Bobbie (who played the piano). Willie would state, "One of the beautiful things about making music with Bobbie is how her abiding faith washes over me." Up next is DeFord Bailey with his 1927 recording of Evening Prayer Blues. Today's musical selection ends with Roy Rogers singing The Cowboy's Prayer. Though Roy is known as one of Hollywood's greatest contributors to spreading the gospel he was not always a Christian. In fact there were times when he doubted there was a God at all. When his wife, Dale Evans, gave her life to Christ, Roy's reaction is what many people's reaction would have been. He felt, "As long as it makes her happy." He had no intention of becoming a Christian himself though. Yet there was a change in Dale that he couldn't deny and this began to have an effect on him. On day at a party, Roy and Dale had one of the biggest fights in their marriage. The next morning neither one mentioned the fight, but Roy announced that he was going to Church with Dale and the kids. To say this came as a surprise to Dale would be an understatement. Dale noticed that during the sermon, Roy's eyes were closed. Dale naturally assumed he went to sleep. Dale at first was angry but that soon changed. After the sermon there was an alter call. Roy immediately opened his eyes and told Dale, "I'm going down there." From that moment on Roy was a changed man and a true Christian. 

Now for a 1951 episode of Roy Rogers' radio show. 

Up next is Johnny Cash talking about his faith and singing My Children Walk in Truth.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. Proverbs 18:15

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

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. 1 John 2:24

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isiaih 2:4

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

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 

And in every province and in every city, wherever the king's command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them. Ester 8:17

And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. Ezra 6:22

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

Resources Used

It's a Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson and David Ritz

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

Elvis Presley: Amazing Grace: His Greatest Scared Performances liner notes by Charles Wolfe

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/in-the-sweet-by-and-by/#.YiTfunzMK3A

 

Cowboy Church #32

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

We start off our musical selection with The Maddox Brothers and Rose's 1947 recording of Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet. Though the group would later record this song again in 1951, this version remains my favorite. Rose's voice sounds as beautiful as ever and her brother Don's fiddle playing here are especially fantastic. This is followed by the Monroe Brothers with their 1937 recording of On That Old Gospel Ship. This is pure early bluegrass at its best. I dare anyone to try not to tap their foot to this. Next comes the Possum, George Jones, himself with the old hymn The Lily of the Valley. This version comes from George's 1966 album, Old Brush Arbors. This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Read the Bible Every Day. This song is written by one of the group's founding members, Ted Spencer. Next is the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet (Buck Owens, Grandpa Jones, Kenny Price, Roy Clark) with Blessed Jesus Take My Hand. Coming up next is Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with The Lord is Counting on You from one of the duo's little golden records for children. This was released as the B side of a 1954 record with Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sun Shine In on the A side. Both of those songs were Christian songs written for younger believers by Stuart Hamblen. This was appropriate as Stuart Hamblen had been a singing cowboy on radio since back in 1926. Probably his most famous compositions were It is No Secrect (What God Can Do) and This Old House. The Lord is Counting on You reminds kids of the importance of Sunday School. We close with Johnny Cash singing How Great Thou Art on the 12th episode of his weekly TV show.

 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8You 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 19:18I 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 2:20Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. James 2:8Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalm 8:2

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



-Michael J. Ruhland

Cowboy Church #30

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

We begin our musical selection off with The Maddox Brothers and Rose's 1948 recording of a gospel classic, Precious Memories. With their flashy clothes and on stage performance style, The Maddox Brothers and Rose received the title, The World's Most Colorful Hillbilly band. However just as much as over the top they could be, the group could also turn in a really heartfelt performance of a classic song as can be seen here. Following is George Jones with another classic gospel song, Just a Closer Walk With Thee. George delivers this song in the incredible way that only he can. There has never been and there will never be a voice like George Jones'. The TV show Hee Haw had some of the corniest jokes in all history, despite this though when the show focused on music, it took this music very seriously. An especially great example is when the show would have a performance by the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet (Buck Owens, Roy Clark, Grandpa Jones, Kenny Price). One may notice that these gospel performances are some of the rare times you could see Grandpa Jones without his hat. Here is them performing Shall We Gather at the River from a 1977 episode. Next is Emmylou Harris' hauntingly beautiful version of Wayfaring Stranger. I saw Emmylou in concert just a couple days ago and she was incredible. If you ever get a chance to see her don't pass it up. After this comes The Sons of the Pioneers with a 1951 recording of  musical version of The Lord's Prayer. This is followed by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans' 1955 recording of The Lord is Gonna Take Good Care of You. We end with Gene Autry's 1945 recording of Silver Spurs on the Golden Stairs. 



















 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God Ephesians 2:8 I am telling you the truth: those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already passed from death to life. I am telling you the truth: the time is coming—the time has already come—when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will come to life. Just as the Father is himself the source of life, in the same way he has made his Son to be the source of life. And he has given the Son the right to judge, because he is the Son of Man. John 5:24-27

 Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God. In the same manner Christ also was offered in sacrifice once to take away the sins of many. He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth. Ecclesiastes 8:15I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. <sub><sup>2Samuel 23:1-2

Thank you again for joining me for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy Trails to you until we meet again.</sup></sub>


-Michael J. Ruhland