Cowboy Church #120

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and the Sons of the Pioneers with a lovely version of The Place Where I Worship. Up next is Johnny Cash with The Fourth Man in the Fire. This song is based off of a story from the book of Daniel. Though this story takes place during old testament times many (including myself) believe the fourth man to be Jesus. While most of us will not be thrown in a fiery furnace, this song reminds us that there is no place that through every hardship in life, Jesus is always walking with us and watching out for us. In the liner notes for the Unearthed box set, Rick Ruben remembered this song being recorded, "I can't tell you much about the song except that again it was one that he liked , but I can tell you why it sounds like he's getting frustrated. We were working in my living room and we didn't have any editing equipment or engineering person - I'm not an engineer - we were just rolling the tape and everything was live. If you're in the studio and you're doing a song with a long spoken intro, and you got the intro right but there's something wrong with the song, you wouldn't have to do the intro over and over every time you redid the song. We didn't have that kind of editing capacity at my house, which is why when Johnny says 'Are you going to keep the intro from the last take? It was good' and I say 'We can't do that,' you can hear the frustration in his voice." Next comes Gene Autry with his 1949 recording of Bible on the Table. In this song Gene sings "People say that I'm a bit old fashioned." This is something still being said about many Christians today. However loving and trusting in God is something that will never be old fashioned. This is because the Bible is just as true today as the day the words were written and God cares just as much about us today, as he did any other generation and he wants to be just as much a part of our lives as he ever did before. God is the same yesterday, today and forever and we should never be ashamed of being Christians but instead we should feel blessed that our God wants to be a part of our lives. Recently I was re-listening to southern Christian rock band, Third Day's 1995 debut album. While I loved the whole album, Love Song especially stood out to me as I listened to the lyrics. The message of this song is simple, Jesus loves us so much that he bared the cross just for us. Yet the simplicity of this message is extremely beautiful and touching. We too often forget just how much Jesus loves us but this song reminds us how great and loving our lord truly is. This is followed by Kris Kristofferson with They Killed Him. Written by Kris himself, this song is tribute to three of his heroes, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus Christ. Next is Tennessee Ernie Ford with I Love to Tell the Story. The origins of this hymn began with Arabella Katherine Hankey. At the age of 30 she was recovering from a long illness and during that time wrote a poem about Jesus. This poem was separated into two parts. The first was called The Story Wanted and the second was called The Story Told (both were published in 1886). The lyrics for this hymn came from the second part. Arabella was also a composer and wrote her own music for these words, but the tune she wrote is not the one we use today.  William G. Fisher wrote the music we know today as well as the words for the refrain. When Fisher's version of the hymn was published in 1875's  Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs, the hymn reached a new level of popularity. This version comes from Cousin Ernie's 1960 album Sing a Hymn with me. Now for the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson with Jesus Loves Cowgirls from her 1984 gospel album, My Kind of Gospel. Afterwards is Red Foley with his 1949 recording of Just a Closer Walk With Thee. Today's musical selection ends with The Purple Hulls with singing What a Friend We Have in Jesus. This recording comes from their 2012 album, Closer to Home. 

Psalm 27

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

    of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked advance against me

    to devour[a] me,

it is my enemies and my foes

    who will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,

    my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

    even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the Lord,

    this only do I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

    all the days of my life,

to gaze on the beauty of the Lord

    and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble

    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent

    and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted

    above the enemies who surround me;

at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;

    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

    be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

    Your face, Lord, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,

    do not turn your servant away in anger;

    you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

    God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,

    the Lord will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, Lord;

    lead me in a straight path

    because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,

    for false witnesses rise up against me,

    spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:

    I will see the goodness of the Lord

    in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.




The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves. Proverbs 13:5

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Timothy 1:9

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 2:21

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 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. Isaiah 11:6

 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

 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


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 #105

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

Today's musical selection begins with The Statler Brothers with Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord. This is followed by Flatt and Scruggs with a gospel classic, Precious Memories. Though this is a sweet uplifting song, it was based upon a tragedy. In 1922, John Wright lost his five year old son. Wright would later say about this song, “’Precious Memories’ was born in the midnight hours as I bathed by pillow with tears, likewise all my songs came through life’s severest tests.” Though this is a very famous hymn, John Wright only received $36 for writing it. He would remain a janitor that was always struggling to make ends meet for his entire life. The harmonies in this version are absolutely incredible and have to be heard to be believed. 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus was another hymn born out of personal tragedy.  Louisa M. R. Stead was happily married and one day her, her husband and their four year old daughter had a day at the beach, when they heard a scream. They went to see where the scream was coming from and saw a little boy drowning in the sea. Her husband tried to pull the boy out of the water but the boy pulled the husband down with him. Louisa and her daughter Lilly watched helplessly as the two died before their eyes. It is unknown when the song was actually written, but it is known that it was inspired by this tragedy and how God helped pull her through it as she soon went back on the mission field. The song was first published in 1882 a collection of hymns entitled Songs of Triumph. The version of this song used in this post is performed by Alan Jackson. Next comes The Purple Hulls with Whispering Hope. This 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 is followed by Roy Rogers with A Cowboy's Sunday Prayer. This comes from his and Dale Evans' 1959 album, Jesus Loves Me. Afterwards is Johnny Cash singing Spiritual. This recording comes from his 1996 album Unchained. The backing band on this recording and this whole album was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In the documentary film, Running Down a Dream, Tom Petty stated that this was one of his favorite albums to make. This is followed by Gene Autry singing Dear Hearts and Gentle People in a clip from his movie, Beyond the Purple Hills (1950). Backing him up here are the Cass County Boys. Next is Charley Pride and Dolly Parton performing God's Coloring Book. Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Dwelling in Beulah Land. Roy Rogers (than Leonard Slye) sings lead vocals. It would not be long after this that Roy would leave the Sons of the Pioneers for his solo film career. In fact his first starring movie role would only be released only a year after this recording. Dwelling in Beulah Land was written by C. Austin Miles (who also wrote the gospel classic In The Garden) and was first  published in 1911. C. Austin Miles once said, “It is as a writ­er of gos­pel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Mas­ter, whom I serve will­ing­ly al­though not as ef­fi­cient­ly as is my de­sire.” 

Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:135

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.  Matthew 28:26-27

Have 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 1:9

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

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

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

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and  believe in your heart  that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21

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

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

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