Cowboy Church #104

Hello my friends and welcome back to another service of Cowboy Church. Today's musical selection begins with Loretta Lynn and the Wilburn Brothers with 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. Next comes The Louvin Brothers with their 1956 recording of Are You Washed in the Blood. This hymn was written by Presbyterian minister, Elisha Hoffman, in 1878. Though he never received any formal musical training, he grew up in a house where scared music was sung daily and he grew a musical talent as well as passion for hymns. He would write over 2,000 gospel songs in his life also including Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. He also edited song books and this song first appeared in one of these. It debuted in song book form in his own, Spiritual Songs for Gospel Meetings and the Sunday School in 1878. This is followed by Gene Autry with When It's Prayer Meeting Time In The Hollow. This recording comes from an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch Radio show dated September 21st, 1947 and features The Cass County Boys, The Pinafores, Johnny Bond and Carl Cortner's Orchestra. Next is The Charlie Daniels Band with My Chosen One. This is a Charlie Daniels Band original from their 1994 Christian album, The Door. Though often overlooked CDB's Christian music is a powerful and important part of their careers. Next we join two of outlaw country's finest, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings with their 1978 recording of The Greatest Cowboy of Them All. This song was written by John and features his backing band, the Tennessee Three (Bob Wootton, Marshall Grant, W.S. Holland), as well as The Carter Sisters (June, Anita, Helen). This is followed by Willie Nelson with The Troublemaker, the title track off of his 1976 gospel album. This is also the only contemporary song off an album otherwise made up of old gospel classic. Being the only contemporary song, this song relates the gospel to the social issues of the era. One of the most infamous Cowboy songs of all time was written by a man we don't usually associate with Cowboy music, Cole Porter. The song was Don't Fence Me In and it was introduced in the movie Hollywood Canteen with a performance by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers, along with the infamous Trigger. Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory.

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? Psalm 27:1 He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. Job 5:11 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. John 14:1 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:38-40 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 Be on your guard; sta nd firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 2 Corinthians 1:10 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 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 Thank you for joining me come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.

-Michael J. Ruhland