Cowboy Church #284

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing 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 song comes from Roy and Dale's 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By.

This is followed by Rex Allen and Patti Paige with their 1950 recording of Farther Along. They are backed up on this recording by The String Dusters and Jerry Byrd.

Afterwards is The Marshall Family with When I Wake Up To Sleep No More.

Next comes The Sons of The Pioneers with their 1937 recording of One More River to Cross. Our good friend Leonard Slye (aka Roy Rogers) takes the lead vocal here, but like many of the best Sons of the Pioneers recordings, the highlight is the group's great harmonies. The incredible Hawaiian steel guitar player, Sam Koki joins the boys on this recording and does a fine job.

Then comes Porter Wagoner and The Blackwood Brothers Quartet with I'm Using My Bible For a Road Map. This comes from their 1966 gospel album, The Grand Old Gospel.

Now we remember Dolly Parton with her beloved self-penned song, Coat of Many Colors. This song was based off of Dolly's own childhood. 

Today's musical selection ends with another song remembering the late great Dolly Parton, with her recording of Power in the Blood. 

Now for a message from the Reverand Billy Graham.

Now for the 25th episode of TV's The Lone Ranger. 

Book of Jude

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

The Sin and Doom of Ungodly People

3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.

11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

A Call to Persevere

17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Doxology

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

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

Cowboy Church #283

 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.  Jesus would state, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." There is no doubt that Jesus did love the little children and he loves us big children too. If we will humble ourselves and become like little children, the blessings he has for us are immeasurable. 

This is followed by Ricky Skaggs with Gone Home. This recording comes from his 1999 gospel album, Soldier of the Cross. 

Afterwards is Porter Wagoner and The Blackwood Brothers with If We Never Meet Again. The hymn was written by Albert E. Brumley, who wrote over 800 gospel songs. Some of his most famous I’ll Fly Away, Turn Your Radio On, I’ll Meet You In The Morning and He Set Me Free. This recording comes from their 1966 gospel album, The Grand Old Gospel. 

Then comes Stringbean with Sinner Man, Where You Gonna Hide.

Next is The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Lord You Made the Cowboy Happy. This song should remind us of how blessed we truly are. It is the things we take for granted each day that are our greatest blessings. Sometimes we need to stop and simply thank God for these blessings. The narrator of this song is not thankful for any big event in his life, but rather for all the little blessing he receives every day. 

Now comes Johnny Cash with his cover of the Sheryl Crow song, Redemption Day. John recorded this song during the last few months of his life. It would be released posthumously on the 2o10 album, Ain't No Grave. 

Today's musical selection ends with Rex Allen with his 1970 recording of He's Got the Whole World in His Hand.

Now for the 24th episode of The Lone Ranger TV series. 

Now for a message from Billy Graham.

Book of Titus 

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith:

Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Appointing Elders Who Love What Is Good

5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Rebuking Those Who Fail to Do Good

10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 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, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Final Remarks

12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

15 Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all.

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

Cowboy Church #282

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Have You Read the Bible Today. It is important for each of us to read our Bible each and every day. The Bible is not just some book, it is the living breathing word of God. It is easy for our faith and Christian walk to become idle and stagnant and the easiest way for this to happen is to simply not read our Bible. Taking some time each day to read the Bible is the best way for our faith and our walk with God to continue growing and maturing.  This recording is the B-side of a 1955 Little Golden Record by Roy and Dale. The A-side was The Bible Tells Me So. 

This is followed by Dailey and Vincent with Joshua Fit the Battle of Jerico. This recording comes from the bluegrass duo's 2009 gospel album, Singing from The Heart. 

Afterwards is Johnny Cash with You'll Never Walk Alone. This recording was made in a church using a real church pipe organ. Playing that pipe organ was Benmont Trench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fame. There was a plan for Johnny Cash to make a whole album in a church with an organ before John passed away. In the liner notes for the Unearthed box set, producer Rick Rubin remembered, "Yes it was one of our future plans. We have a whole lot of stuff that was still left to do. This was one of two songs we recorded in a church in L.A. with Johnny singing live -because we wanted it to sound like he was in a church - and Benmont Trench from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers playing the church organ. He played the hands and the feet and the church organist pulled all the stops because it was a complicated instrument and unique. We decided to use just one of the songs on The Man Comes Around, and Johnny preferred the other one, 'Danny Boy.'" Tench remembered (in the same linear notes), "It was a really remarkable experience, because the way the organ is set up is so you can see the preacher through a mirror for your cues. I could see Johnny sitting in the chair the preacher sits in when the choir is singing, and he was in the center, facing the congregation, with headphones on. It's hard to paint into words, but the record will tell you what it was like. Indescribably moving." 

Next is Porter Wagoner and the Blackwood Brothers Quartet

Then comes Elvis Presley with his 1957 recording of Peace in the Valley. As much as Elvis is known as the King of Rock and Roll, perhaps no other type of music was nearer and dearer to his heart than gospel music. This was the music he grew up with and that continued to have a major influence on him through all the years. Elvis has been quoted as saying "I know practically every religious sing that's ever been written." There is no doubt that these songs moved him very deeply. After Elvis had made his first two appearances on TV's The Ed Sullivan Show, he was clearly a very controversial figure. These performances consisted of pure rock and roll music and Elvis shook his hips to them in a way that was considered much too suggestive for the 1950's. Many groups were quick to condemn this as a horrible influence on the kids and some even claimed it to be demonic. Yet Elvis' third appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was quite different. This time Elvis did not perform rock and roll but instead did a gospel number in a slow and traditional manner. The song was Peace in the Valley and the performance was a huge success. Elvis had never done a studio recording of any gospel songs, but fans of the performance quite writing letters requesting a recording of Elvis singing Peace in the Valley. RCA quickly rushed Elvis to make a four-song gospel EP entitled Peace in the Valley. This EP of course included the title song, as well as Take My Hand Precious Lord, It is no Secret and I Believe. The EP was a huge success, and gospel music would soon play a major role in Elvis' singing career.

Next is Ricky Skaggs with a cover of the Ralph Stanley song, Hallelujah I'm Ready. This comes from Ricky's 1982 album, Family & Friends.

Today's musical selection ends with  The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. The song itself dates back to 1913 and was written by evangelist, George Bennard. Actually, the first verse was written in 1912. It was written while Bennard was a part of a series of revival meetings in Albion, Michigan. He was worried about the complete disregard for the gospel around him and wrote this verse as a repose. Of writing it Bennard said, "I seemed to have a vision ... I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable." The song wouldn't be completed for several months, when he was leading meetings at a local church in Pokagan, Michigan. He played it for Rev. Leroy (the sponsoring pastor) and his wife, Ruby Bostwick, both of whom found themselves moved to tears. It was then incorporated into a service at that church on June 7, 1913. The song has the same effect today as it must have back then.

Now for a message from the Reverand Billy Graham. 

Now for the 23rd episode of TV's The Lone Ranger.

Book of 1 Peter

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise to God for a Living Hope

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

“All people are like grass,

    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Thanks for joining me. Come back in a couple weeks for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Cowboy Church #280

 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.  Jesus would state, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." There is no doubt that Jesus did love the little children and he loves us big children too. If we will humble ourselves and become like little children, the blessings he has for us are immeasurable. 

This is followed by the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet (Buck Owens, Roy Clark, Grandpa Jones, Gordie Tapp) with Where the Soul Never Dies. My grandparents watching reruns of the countrified variety show Hee Haw is how I was introduced to and fell in love with country music. Introduced to the show in the mid 1970's (the show premiered in 1969), the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet was a wonderful addition to the show, featuring some of the show's regulars singing classic hymns and gospel songs. 

Afterwards is Flatt and Scruggs with their 1952 recording of Preachin, Prayin, Singin.

Next comes The Charlie Daniels Band with Lay it on the Line. This song comes from the group's 1994 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." (Daniels, 260) 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.

Then comes Faron Young with My Wonderful Lord. 

Then comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. Though it may be simple doctrine that we have heard since Sunday school, I hope we never forget how much power there truly is in the blood of Jesus. No matter what temptations and struggles we may face in life, Jesus' blood spilled on Calvary's cross has overcome all of it. With man something may be impossible but with God all things are possible. 

Today's musical selection ends with Lary Sparks with When the Savior Reached Down for Me.

Now for the 21st episode of TV's The Lone Ranger. 

Now for a message from the Reverand Billy Graham.

Obadiah 

Obadiah’s Vision

1 The vision of Obadiah.

This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom—

We have heard a message from the Lord:

    An envoy was sent to the nations to say,

“Rise, let us go against her for battle”—

2 “See, I will make you small among the nations;

    you will be utterly despised.

3 The pride of your heart has deceived you,

    you who live in the clefts of the rocks

    and make your home on the heights,

you who say to yourself,

    ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’

4 Though you soar like the eagle

    and make your nest among the stars,

    from there I will bring you down,”

declares the Lord.

5 “If thieves came to you,

    if robbers in the night—

oh, what a disaster awaits you!—

    would they not steal only as much as they wanted?

If grape pickers came to you,

    would they not leave a few grapes?

6 But how Esau will be ransacked,

    his hidden treasures pillaged!

7 All your allies will force you to the border;

    your friends will deceive and overpower you;

those who eat your bread will set a trap for you,

    but you will not detect it.

8 “In that day,” declares the Lord,

    “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom,

    those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?

9 Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified,

    and everyone in Esau’s mountains

    will be cut down in the slaughter.

10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob,

    you will be covered with shame;

    you will be destroyed forever.

11 On the day you stood aloof

    while strangers carried off his wealth

and foreigners entered his gates

    and cast lots for Jerusalem,

    you were like one of them.

12 You should not gloat over your brother

    in the day of his misfortune,

nor rejoice over the people of Judah

    in the day of their destruction,

nor boast so much

    in the day of their trouble.

13 You should not march through the gates of my people

    in the day of their disaster,

nor gloat over them in their calamity

    in the day of their disaster,

nor seize their wealth

    in the day of their disaster.

14 You should not wait at the crossroads

    to cut down their fugitives,

nor hand over their survivors

    in the day of their trouble.

15 “The day of the Lord is near

    for all nations.

As you have done, it will be done to you;

    your deeds will return upon your own head.

16 Just as you drank on my holy hill,

    so all the nations will drink continually;

they will drink and drink

    and be as if they had never been.

17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance;

    it will be holy,

    and Jacob will possess his inheritance.

18 Jacob will be a fire

    and Joseph a flame;

Esau will be stubble,

    and they will set him on fire and destroy him.

There will be no survivors

    from Esau.”

The Lord has spoken.

19 People from the Negev will occupy

    the mountains of Esau,

and people from the foothills will possess

    the land of the Philistines.

They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria,

    and Benjamin will possess Gilead.

20 This company of Israelite exiles who are in Canaan

    will possess the land as far as Zarephath;

the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad

    will possess the towns of the Negev.

21 Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion

    to govern the mountains of Esau.

    And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.

 

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

Cowboy Church #279

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing a medley of Whispering Hope and Star of Hope. Whispering Hope beautiful hymn comes from the pen of Alice Hawthorne (the pen name for poet Septimus Winner), who is best known for her contributions to children's music with songs like, Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? and Ten Little Indians. This lovely medley comes from Roy and Dale's 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By. 

This is followed by Jim and Jesse with If We Forget God.

Then comes Porter Wagoner and the Blackwood Brothers with The Family Who Prays (Never Shall Part). This cover of a Louvin Brothers classic comes from Porter Wagoner and the Blackwoods Brothers' 1966 gospel album, The Grand Old Gospel.

Country music has often focused more on the singers and the lyrics than anything else. That is why it is surprising that someone like Chet Atkins could make it as big as he did in Nashville. Chet Atkins was a guitarist rather than a singer and most of his output was purely instrumental. Yet his talent on the guitar can hardly be denied and he rightfully earned the nickname, "Mr. Guitar." His playing is a soulful and expressive as the voices of any of the great country singers. In 1962 Chet put out what I view as one of his finest albums, Chet Atkins Plays Back Home Hymns. This album is made up of instrumental versions of classic gospel songs. In this Cowboy Church post I have included his lovely version of Amazing Grace from this album. 

Afterwards is The Louvin Brothers with O Who Shall Be Able to Stand. This self-penned song comes from the duo's 1963 gospel album, Keep Your Eyes on Jesus. 

Now for the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet (Roy Clark, Buck Owens, Grandpa Jones, Kenny Price) with Keep on the Firing Line. Though they countryfied variety show first aired in 1969, the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet first appeared on the show in the late 1970's. Featuring regular members of the cast, this gospel group was one of the show's highlights for decades. 

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with 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. Tim Spencer sings lead on this recording. 

Now for the 20th episode of The Lone Ranger TV series. 

Now for a message from the Reverand Billy Graham.

The Book of Philemon

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

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

Cowboy Church #278

 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. 

This is followed by Jim and Jessie with Lord I'm Coming Home. This recording comes from their 1964 gospel album, The Old Country Church. 

Afterwards is Ricky Skaggs with Can't Shake Jesus. This comes from his 2010 album, Mosaic. 

Up next is Kris Kristofferson with In the News from his 2006 album, This Old Road. As a Christian, nothing makes me sadder than those who try to use the bible to justify their own hatreds, prejudices and wars. 

Then comes the Louvin Brothers with There's No Excuse. This comes from the duo's 1956 gospel album, Nearer My God To Thee. 

This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. Though it may be simple doctrine that we have heard since Sunday school, I hope we never forget how much power there truly is in the blood of Jesus. No matter what temptations and struggles we may face in life, Jesus' blood spilled on Calvary's cross has overcome all of it. With man something may be impossible but with God all things are possible. 

We continue with The Monroe Brothers with My Time Will Come Someday. 

Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash with I'm a Newborn Man. This song was written by John and his wife June. It came from John's 1979 double length gospel album; A Believer Sings the Truth. Columbia Records did not have much faith in how a double length gospel album would sell and did not want to release this album. However, John (with Columbia's blessing) would release the album under his own Cachet label. In 1982 Columbia would reissue the album on the Columbia label. In 1984 Columbia would release a much shorter version of the album as I Believe. 

Now for the 19th episode of The Lone Ranger TV show. 

Now for a message from S.M. Lockridge. 

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

1 Hear me, Lord, and answer me,

    for I am poor and needy.

2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;

    save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord,

    for I call to you all day long.

4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,

    for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

    abounding in love to all who call to you.

6 Hear my prayer, Lord;

    listen to my cry for mercy.

7 When I am in distress, I call to you,

    because you answer me.

8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;

    no deeds can compare with yours.

9 All the nations you have made

    will come and worship before you, Lord;

    they will bring glory to your name.

10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

    you alone are God.

11 Teach me your way, Lord,

    that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

    that I may fear your name.

12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

    I will glorify your name forever.

13 For great is your love toward me;

    you have delivered me from the depths,

    from the realm of the dead.

14 Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;

    ruthless people are trying to kill me—

    they have no regard for you.

15 But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

    slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and have mercy on me;

    show your strength in behalf of your servant;

save me, because I serve you

    just as my mother did.

17 Give me a sign of your goodness,

    that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

    for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

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

Cowboy Church #274

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

 Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing 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 song comes from Roy and Dale's 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By.

This is followed by Roy Drusky with Farther Along.

Afterwards is The Masters Family with their 1951 recording of I'll Be Going to Heaven Sometime. 

Then comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Lord You Made the Cowboy Happy. This song should remind us of how blessed we truly are. It is the things we take for granted each day that are our greatest blessings. Sometimes we need to stop and simply thank God for these blessings. The narrator of this song is not thankful for any big event in his life, but rather for all the little blessing he receives every day.

Afterwards is Johnny Cash with his version of the old Carter family song, Troublesome Waters. This recording comes from John's 1964 album, I Walk the Line. John certainly went through troublesome waters in his life. At one time they simply became too much for him to handle on his own. John spoke about this time stating, "It just felt like I was at the end of my line. I was down there by myself and I got to feelin' that I'd taken so many pills that I'd done it, that I was gonna blow up or something. I hadn't eaten in days, I hadn't slept in days, and my mind wasn't working too good anyway. I couldn't stand myself anymore. I wanted to get away from me. And if that meant dyin', then okay, I'm ready. I just had to get away from myself. I couldn't stand it anymore and I didn't think there was any other way. I took a flashlight with me and I said, I'm goin' to walk and crawl and climb into this cave until the light goes out, and then I'm gonna lie down. So I crawled in there with a flashlight until it burned out and I lay down to die. I was a mile in that cave. At least a mile. But I felt this great comforting presence sayin', 'No you're not dyin'.' I got things for you to do. So I got up, found my way out. Cliffs, ledges, drop-offs. I don't know how I got out, 'cept God got me out." After this experience, he knew that he had to repent from his many sins and rededicate his life to the Lord. (quote from The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner). 

Now for Charlie Rich with Just a Closer Walk with Thee. This old hymn's origin remains a mystery with no one knowing exactly how old it is. However it is believed that this song must date back before the Civil War, because some personal histories have stated that there were “slaves singing as they worked in the fields a song about walking by the Lord’s side.” If this is true it shows the power of God and music as they could sing praise to the Lord even when being oppressed as part of one of the greatest injustices of American history. There is however a song published in 1885 called Closer Walk With Thee which had a very similar chorus. Just a Closer Walk's popularity grew in the 1930's with it being sung at several churches. The arrangement we know today was done by Kenneth Morris in 1940. The following is from Horace Clarence Boyer's book, How Sweet the Sound, “While traveling between Kansas City and Chicago in 1940, songwriter Kenneth Morris got off the train to stretch his legs. While standing on the platform, he overheard a porter singing some of the words to 'Just a Closer Walk with Thee'. Not thinking much about it, Morris boarded the train and went on his way. The words and melody of the song kept repeating in his head and he knew he had to learn the rest of it. At the next stop, Morris got off the train and took the next train back to the previous stop. There he managed to find the porter and Morris persuaded him to sing the song while he copied down the words. Morris soon added to the lyrics and published it in 1940.”  (Quotes from https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/just-a-little-talk-with-jesus/#.Yu_SUPjMK3A)

Today's musical selection ends with Gene Autry with The Bible on the Table and the Flag Upon the Wall. This version of the song comes from an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show that aired March 5, 1949. After Walter Winchell showed his support for Gene's radio show, Gene wrote a note of thanks to Winchell. "I want you to know I appreciate everything you give me. Of course the radio show, I'm doing is not a sophisticated program and probably a lot of the kids in the city won't enjoy it, but the thing I am trying to do more than anything else is to keep the program down to earth, and especially so the kids will like it. I want to concentrate on trying to point out the value of Americanism and what America should mean to everyone these days when there is so much communism and other isms going so strong in this country. I feel we cannot go to strong on preaching this to the people and I think the best way to do this is playing particularly to the kids and teaching them Americanism while they are young." (Quote from Public Cowboy no.1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry by Holly George-Warren)

Now for the 18th episode of the Lone Ranger TV show. 

Now for a sermon from the Reverand Martin Luther King Jr.

Psalm 78

A maskil of Asaph.

1 My people, hear my teaching;

    listen to the words of my mouth.

2 I will open my mouth with a parable;

    I will utter hidden things, things from of old—

3 things we have heard and known,

    things our ancestors have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their descendants;

    we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

    his power, and the wonders he has done.

5 He decreed statutes for Jacob

    and established the law in Israel,

which he commanded our ancestors

    to teach their children,

6 so the next generation would know them,

    even the children yet to be born,

    and they in turn would tell their children.

7 Then they would put their trust in God

    and would not forget his deeds

    but would keep his commands.

8 They would not be like their ancestors—

    a stubborn and rebellious generation,

whose hearts were not loyal to God,

    whose spirits were not faithful to him.

9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,

    turned back on the day of battle;

10 they did not keep God’s covenant

    and refused to live by his law.

11 They forgot what he had done,

    the wonders he had shown them.

12 He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors

    in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.

13 He divided the sea and led them through;

    he made the water stand up like a wall.

14 He guided them with the cloud by day

    and with light from the fire all night.

15 He split the rocks in the wilderness

    and gave them water as abundant as the seas;

16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag

    and made water flow down like rivers.

17 But they continued to sin against him,

    rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.

18 They willfully put God to the test

    by demanding the food they craved.

19 They spoke against God;

    they said, “Can God really

    spread a table in the wilderness?

20 True, he struck the rock,

    and water gushed out,

    streams flowed abundantly,

but can he also give us bread?

    Can he supply meat for his people?”

21 When the Lord heard them, he was furious;

    his fire broke out against Jacob,

    and his wrath rose against Israel,

22 for they did not believe in God

    or trust in his deliverance.

23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above

    and opened the doors of the heavens;

24 he rained down manna for the people to eat,

    he gave them the grain of heaven.

25 Human beings ate the bread of angels;

    he sent them all the food they could eat.

26 He let loose the east wind from the heavens

    and by his power made the south wind blow.

27 He rained meat down on them like dust,

    birds like sand on the seashore.

28 He made them come down inside their camp,

    all around their tents.

29 They ate till they were gorged—

    he had given them what they craved.

30 But before they turned from what they craved,

    even while the food was still in their mouths,

31 God’s anger rose against them;

    he put to death the sturdiest among them,

    cutting down the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;

    in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.

33 So he ended their days in futility

    and their years in terror.

34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek him;

    they eagerly turned to him again.

35 They remembered that God was their Rock,

    that God Most High was their Redeemer.

36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths,

    lying to him with their tongues;

37 their hearts were not loyal to him,

    they were not faithful to his covenant.

38 Yet he was merciful;

    he forgave their iniquities

    and did not destroy them.

Time after time he restrained his anger

    and did not stir up his full wrath.

39 He remembered that they were but flesh,

    a passing breeze that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness

    and grieved him in the wasteland!

41 Again and again they put God to the test;

    they vexed the Holy One of Israel.

42 They did not remember his power—

    the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,

43 the day he displayed his signs in Egypt,

    his wonders in the region of Zoan.

44 He turned their river into blood;

    they could not drink from their streams.

45 He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,

    and frogs that devastated them.

46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper,

    their produce to the locust.

47 He destroyed their vines with hail

    and their sycamore-figs with sleet.

48 He gave over their cattle to the hail,

    their livestock to bolts of lightning.

49 He unleashed against them his hot anger,

    his wrath, indignation and hostility—

    a band of destroying angels.

50 He prepared a path for his anger;

    he did not spare them from death

    but gave them over to the plague.

51 He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,

    the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.

52 But he brought his people out like a flock;

    he led them like sheep through the wilderness.

53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;

    but the sea engulfed their enemies.

54 And so he brought them to the border of his holy land,

    to the hill country his right hand had taken.

55 He drove out nations before them

    and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;

    he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

56 But they put God to the test

    and rebelled against the Most High;

    they did not keep his statutes.

57 Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless,

    as unreliable as a faulty bow.

58 They angered him with their high places;

    they aroused his jealousy with their idols.

59 When God heard them, he was furious;

    he rejected Israel completely.

60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,

    the tent he had set up among humans.

61 He sent the ark of his might into captivity,

    his splendor into the hands of the enemy.

62 He gave his people over to the sword;

    he was furious with his inheritance.

63 Fire consumed their young men,

    and their young women had no wedding songs;

64 their priests were put to the sword,

    and their widows could not weep.

65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,

    as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.

66 He beat back his enemies;

    he put them to everlasting shame.

67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph,

    he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;

68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,

    Mount Zion, which he loved.

69 He built his sanctuary like the heights,

    like the earth that he established forever.

70 He chose David his servant

    and took him from the sheep pens;

71 from tending the sheep he brought him

    to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,

    of Israel his inheritance.

72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;

    with skillful hands he led them.

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