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 #27

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

We start our musical selection with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with their 1956 single, Thank You God. This song was written by husband and wife team Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller. The song was released as a little Golden Record with the songwriting team's most famous composition Let There Be Peace on Earth as a B-Side. Next comes one of Roy Acuff's most famous hits, The Great Speckled Bird. Though this song was originally credited as written by Roy himself, Roy would later state that the song was actually written by Reverend Guy Smith. Though this song was recorded in 1936 it would not be released until 1938. A few months prior to this release Roy had performed the song on the Grand Ole Opry to a very positive reaction. This song has been covered by many over the years, but Roy Acuff's version still remains the best. In 1953, singing cowboy Rex Allen had a hit with Crying in the Chapel. This was more than a decade before Elvis Presley had his famous hit with the song. After this comes The Sons of the Pioneers' 1947 recording of The Sea Walker. This song was a Sons' original written by one of the group's founding members, Tim Spencer. Next comes Johnny Cash performing No Need To Worry live in 1971. He is backed by The Carter Family, Carl Perkins, The Statler Brothers and his usual backing band The Tennessee Three. This is a high energy performance that is incredibly fun. This is followed by Charley Pride's 1968 recording of Wings of a Dove. We end with Hank Williams performing his lovely original composition, House of Gold.  Hank recorded this song in either 1948 or 1949, but it was not released until 1954, after his death. Despite this the song has rightfully become a gospel classic.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 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 40:30-31

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27Have 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 1:9For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his [Jesus'] mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5

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



-Michael J. Ruhland

  

Cowboy Church #23

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

We start our musical selection off with The Sons of Pioneers 1937 recording of Heavenly Airplane. This is an original song written by the Son's own Bob Nolan. This song was from the last year Roy Rogers was a member of the group. Next comes Johnny Cash and Ray Charles with a duet of Kris Kristofferson's Why Me Lord. Next is Gene Autry singing The Angel Song in a clip from his Cinecolor feature film, The Strawberry Roan (1948). Gene co-wrote this song with Curt Massey and Mary Millard. After this comes Rex Allen's 1959 recording of Sleep Little Moses. This song came from his album Mister Cowboy. Next comes Hank Williams performing Thank God. This song was written by Hank's producer Fred Rose. Though Hank recorded this song in either 1948 or 1949, it would not be released until 1955, after Hank had passed away. This song does not feature his famous backing band, The Drifting Cowboys. Instead this is just Hank and his guitar. We end our musical selection with Loretta Lynn singing the gospel classic In The Garden.

Below is a 1935 advertisement from The Motion Picture Herald advertising the early HopaLong Cassidy movies. You may notice that this advertisement states that James Gleason will be playing Hopalong, instead of William Boyd. The part was originally offered to Gleason and various advertisements for the movie stated he would be in the title role. However when negotiations could not be worked out, the part would go to William Boyd who was originally offered the role of the lead villain.



I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13But 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 15:2God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Habakkuk 3:19

 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

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

-Michael J. Ruhland

Cowboy Church #20

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

We begin our musical selection off with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans performing the Southern Gospel classic, I'll Fly Away. Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers' 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory. After this comes Rex Allen's 1953 recording of I Thank the Lord. Rex co-wrote this song and it was released as the B-side to his massive gospel hit Crying in the Chapel (a song which of course would later be a massive hit for Elvis Presley). After this comes The Charlie Daniels Band performing their original country-gospel song Sunday Morning from their 1994 Christian album The Door. This is followed by Lorretta Lynn performing I'd Rather Have Jesus from her 1965 gospel album, Hymns. Next is Willie Nelson performing There is a Fountain from his 1976 gospel album, The Troublemaker. We end our musical portion of this post with Johnny Cash performing If I Give My Soul. In the liner notes for the Cash Unearthed box set Johnny Cash refers to this song's writer, Billy Joe Shaver, as his favorite writer. However in his 1979 Christmas TV special, he referred to Tom T. Hall as his favorite songwriter. Johnny loved this song but neither he nor his producer Rick Ruben felt that the song turned out right. Rick felt John was singing like he was performing to an audience rather than singing from the inside. He told John this and that is why this recording starts with John saying "Get off stage Cash." Since neither was happy with this recording it did not end up on an official album. However it is available on the excellent Cash Unearthed box set.  

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Deuteronomy 15:10

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

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:19

Thank you for joining me come back next week for more Cowboy Church. Until then happy trails to you until we meet again.  

-Michael J. Ruhland










    

Cowboy Church #18

Hello my friends welcome back for another round of Cowboy Church. 

Our musical selection starts off with The Sons of the Pioneers performing What a Wonderful Joy in a classic 1941 recording. Next comes Emmylou Harris with a beautiful rendition of Where Could I Go But To the Lord. This comes from her excellent 1987 gospel album, Angel Band. This album consisted of Emmylou performing various hymns acoustically. Doing backing vocals for this recording is Vince Gill. Next comes Alison Krauss and the Cox Family with I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. This is from their 1984 album of the same name. Sidney Cox said that this was one of his mother's favorite songs and she used to sing it whenever working in the kitchen. After this comes Roy Acuff's 1941 recording of The Precious Jewel. Roy wrote this song himself and the melody would later be used for a later song he would record, The Prodigal Son. Next comes Rex Allen performing the lovely Range in the Sky. We end with Eddie Dean's 1955 recording of Hillbilly Heaven. He co-wrote this song with Haal Southern. The song would later become a hit for another singing cowboy, Tex Ritter.  

Next is the King of the Cowboys, Roy Rogers on TV's This is Your Life (1950-1961). This episode comes from 1953.




Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD, not for human masters. Colossians 3: 23
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.  Galatians 2:21

 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14For 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

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Thanks for joining me again for Cowboy Church, come back next week. Until then Happy Trails to you until we meet again.




















-Michael J. Ruhland