Cowboy Church #203

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with their 1950 recording of May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to Ya. 

This is followed by Jim Reeves with Jim Reeves singing May the Good Bless Keep and You. This beautiful version of this song comes from Jim's 1967 gospel album, May Cathedral.  During the late 1950's and 60's there was a movement going through country music towards what was called Countrypolitian. This was a movement away from the harder honky tonk sounds of earlier to a softer, easy listening type of sound designed to make the genre appeal more to pop fans. While this type of country music understandably has its critics, it could work very well when done right. Jim Reeves proved to be one of the best singers to take part in this music and when he was behind the microphone Countrypolitian music worked beautifully.

Next comes The Petersens with Near the Cross. This hymn was written by Fanny Crosby, who had written many beloved hymns including Blessed Assurance and Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour. This song first appeared in an 1869 collection of hymns entitled Bright Jewels. One of those who put together this collection was William Doane, who would write the music for this hymn. Fanny had been blind since she was six weeks old. Evangelist Dwight L. Moody once asked Fanny, “If you could have just one wish granted, what would it be?” Fanny's answer shocked him. She said, “If I could have one wish, I’d wish that I might continue blind the rest of my life.” She explained this answer by saying “Because, after being blind for all these years, the first face I want to see now is the face of Jesus.”

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

Then comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Lord You Made the Cowboy Happy. 

Afterwards is Johnny Cash with Are All the Children In. This song comes from John's 1959 album, Hymns by Johnny Cash. This was the first of many gospel albums by Johnny Cash. 

Next is Roy Acuff with his 1942 recording I'll Reap My Harvest In Heaven. 

Today's musical selection ends with Willie Nelson singing In God's Eyes. Speaking about this song Willie stated, "I needed to remind myself that, although I've strayed from the straight and narrow, I never strayed from my core beliefs. In 'In God's Eyes,' the next song in the sequence, I made that very point." This song comes from Willie's 1971 album, Yesterday's Wine. About this album Willie would state, "I looked up and simply began asking questions. Rather than keep those questions to myself, I put them into songs. The songs became my own particular prayers, my own personal reflections. I strung those prayers and reflections together in a loose-fitting suite. Music critics were throwing around the term 'concept album' - like the Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club or Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. I suppose you could say this new notion of mine came together as a concept album. Rather than trying to write a bunch of hit singles, I simply followed the natural path taken by my mind." 

Now for a 1938 episode of The Lone Ranger radio show entitled, Reward Money.

Up next is C.S. Lewis' essay, Myth Becomes Fact.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

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

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 

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

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-jesus-keep-me-near-the-cross

Cowboy Church #195

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

Today's music selection begins with Gene Autry's 1946 recording of When It's Round Up Time in Heaven. This song was written by Jimmie Davis, former governor of Louisiana and writer of You Are My Sunshine and I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blue Eyes. Gene recorded this song on June 4, 1946. The same day he recorded another cowboy gospel number, Rounded Up in Glory.  

This is followed by Merle Haggard with 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.

Next is The Charlie Daniels Band with a wonderfully country blues filled version of Just a Closer Walk With Thee. This version of the classic hymn comes from the band's 2002 album, How Sweet the Sound. Unlike their previous Christian albums, that consisted mostly of original songs, this album found the band performing old gospel songs and hymns. It is probably the band's finest album of the 21st Century. 

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

Afterwards comes The Blue Sky Boys with their 1936 recording of Where the Soul of Man Never Dies.

Now for Anne Wilson with Scatter. This song comes from her 2022 debut album, My Jesus. 

Now for The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power In The Blood. I love the Sons of the Pioneers' gospel recordings of this time period. The meaning of the word gospel is "good news", and these songs perfectly match that description as the are filled with joy and fun. Being a Christian should be a joyous thing that brings us much happiness and these recordings are full of pure joy and fun. 

Today's musical selection ends with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing I'll Fly Away. This version of the classic southern gospel song comes from their 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By. 

Today's movie trailer is for The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958). This is the second feature film, released to movie theaters, based off of the Lone Ranger TV series. Like the first film, this movie is in full color and features Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels playing The Lone Ranger and Tonto. The movie was directed by Lesley Selander, who also directed the previous film and before this had a long history of B-westerns including some Hopalong Cassidy and Red Ryder movies. After this there would be no more feature length Lone Ranger films until 1981.

Now for a message from the Reverend Billy Graham.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

 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

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

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

Cowboy Church #194

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

Today's musical selection starts with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Lord You Made the Cowboy Happy. It is too often in life that we take the little things for granted. God has given us more blessings than we could ever count, and it is good to take a little time every day to thank him for those blessings. 

This is followed by Hank Williams and his wife Audery Williams with their 1948 recording of I Heard My Mother Praying for Me. This song was credited to being written by Audrey Williams, yet on an episode of the Mothers Best radio show a few years later, Hank Williams introduced the song saying he wrote it. Audrey was very adamant about wanting to record some religious songs with her husband and kept bringing it up to Hank until Hank finally agreed and then convinced his manager Fred Rose. Though Audrey often gets a lot of criticism for her singing voice, the truth is it is not too bad here and there two voice match quite well on this duet at least. This gospel songs the two recorded together were heavily inspired by the husband and wife evangelists that both were very familiar with.

Next comes Anne Wilson with Hey Girl. This is what she calls her "Kentucky Version," and although all of her music is very country inspired, this version is even more country than the original version. Hey Girl comes from Anne's debut album, 2022's My Jesus. 

Afterwards is Tennessee Ernie Ford with Blessed Assurance. This hymn came about when songwriter Fanny Crosby visited composer Phoebe Palmer Knapp. Knapp played a tune for Crosby and asked what came to her mind with that tune. Crosby said, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!" She then immediately followed it with more lyrics that would be in the finished song. The song was published in 1873 and first appeared in a monthly magazine for which the editors were Joseph Fairchild Knapp and Phoebe Palmer Knapp (who were husband and wife). When it later appeared in 1887's Gospel Songs, No. 5 by Ira Sankey, this we lead it to greater fame as it would be commonly sung in the revivals of Dwight L. Moody and Sankey. By 1889, the hymn commonly appeared in Methodist hymnals. 

Next is Glen Campbell with a song he wrote himself, Less of Me.

Now for Roy Rogers with Peace in the Valley.  The hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey who later explained the origins of this song, “Peace in the Valley,” “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late 1930s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question, “What’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace?” Out of those thoughts came “Peace in the Valley.” 

It is time to join Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie Nelson with Are You Washed in the Blood. This comes from their 1996 album, Just as I Am. This was an album made up of old gospel songs that the two had grown up with since childhood.  

Today's musical selection ends with the late Jerry Lee Lewis with My God is Real. 



 

Today's movie trailer is for The Lone Ranger (1956) starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels. The 1950's Lone Ranger TV series was such a sensation that it spawned two full color theatrically released feature films. This is the first of those movies and it is simply a lot of fun. A couple of years later it would be followed by The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958). The Lone Ranger marks the last film appearance by Bonita Granville. My fellow B movie fans might know her from playing Nancy Drew in a series of four films. She also had a good sized role in the brilliant Bette Davis romantic film, Now Voyager (1942). 

Now a message from Pastor Greg Laurie. 

Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord God, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever. 2 Samuel 7:29 

 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:13

Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
Proverbs 
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love. Ephesians 3:16-17

He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. Proverbs 28:27

Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. Proverbs 14:21

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

 

Michael's Christmas Movie Guide: Trail of Robin Hood (1950)

When one thinks of Christmas movies, they don't usually think of a Roy Rogers western. This gives Trail of Robin Hood a very unique place among both Christmas films and Roy Rogers films. Still this movie provides one with all they could want from a Roy Rogers western. There is exciting action, great music, good humor and much more good natured family friendly fun. There is no pretention about this film at all. It just wants to provide us with some good natured escapism and it does this marvelously.

This movie also offers an extra treat for fans of old Hollywood westerns. Many old time western stars appear here as themselves. Jack Holt has a major role here and is one of the key parts of the plot. However most of these stars play smaller roles, but put a smile on a film buffs face very easily. These include Tom Tyler, Tom Keene, Monte Hale, Rex Allen, Rocky Lane, Bill Franum, Kermit Maynard and Crash Corrigan. Even western movie villain George Chesebro appears as himself. When a little girl tells him he is meanie, he responds that after making twenty pictures with Jack Holt, he reformed him. To quote a meme that was popular earlier this year. "Infinity War: This is the most ambitious crossover ever. Me:..." Really this part of the film is what an old western fan would want to put into fan fiction and it is awesome for it.


Of course a Roy Rogers western has to have songs and a Roy Rogers Christmas western has to have Christmas songs. Roy preforms two lesser known Christmas songs here, both written by Jack Elliott. These songs are Get A Christmas Tree For Johnny and Ev'ry Day is Christmas Day in the West. Roy also preforms a non-Christmas song as well. This is Home Town Jubilee written by Foy Willing (who also appears in this movie). As a country music fan, the songs are something I always look forward to in these movies and these songs don't disappoint.

Children were a major part of Roy Rogers' audience and as such there was often a kid character in many of his movies. This film offers one of the best. This time the character is played by Carol Nugent. While often times a kid character was the weakest part of these movies, here she is delightful providing a lot of heart and humor to many scenes. She never feels like she is trying to be cute, rather she just naturally is. Carol Nugent would later appear with the other singing cowboy, Gene Autry in an episode of his television show. Speaking of children look for Roy Rogers and Dale Evens' then 11 year old daughter Cheryl Rogers as a girl asking for Jack Holt's autograph.

This movie does not feature Dale Evans as is usually common in Roy Rogers westerns of this time. The reason for this is that Dale was pregnant at this time. She choose Penny Edwards to take her place in this film, partly because Edwards also had a strong Christian upbringing. Roy's other usual costar Trigger does play a huge part in this film, providing many excellent action scenes and showing why he truly earned his title as "The Smartest Horse in the Movies."

This movie was the last film Roy made in Trucolor, which used only strips of red and blue. It used this fantastically and the color in this movie looks incredible.

This movie was directed by William Witney, who is best known today for directing movie serials. He had directed the infamous western serial, The Lone Ranger (1938). However he is probably best remembered for directing what many consider to be the greatest movie serial, The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941). Witney was directing many of Roy's films at this time and actually directed all of Roy's feature length movies for the last four years.

Despite the title of this movie, the film has nothing to do with Robin Hood or robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. I personally have no idea where this title came from.

This is one of those movies that makes me feel like a little kid again. All my grown up cynicism quickly goes out the window as soon as I start watching. There may be nothing new, challenging or thought provoking here, but I don't care. I just want to see my hero Roy and his friends take down the bad guys and for good to prevail once again. If you let yourself be like a child again for 67 minutes, I think you will feel the same way. The charming simplicity is just too much for the child in me to resist and this movie reminds me of being a kid and falling in love with movies all over again.

Resources Used


http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/20905/Trail-of-Robin-Hood/articles.html      

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043061/?ref_=nm_flmg_dr_83

-Michael J. Ruhland