Hello my friends and welcome back to another round of Cowboy Church.
Today's music selection begins with Johnny Cash performing, Truth. It had been assumed that this song was a poem written by Muhammad Ali that he had handed to John. However when House of Cash employee, Gregg Geller heard the song, he simply didn't think it sounded like one of Ali's poems and so he googled the first line of the song, which lead him to a website for Hazrat Inayat Khan. Khan was one of the leaders of the Universal Sufi movement in the early 20th century and among his writers was this poem in full. While Ali did in fact introduce John to the poem he did not write it himself. With the 1976 album, The Troublemaker Willie Nelson proved that he was just as great at gospel music as he was at the rough edged Outlaw country. All fans of Willie Nelson or gospel music in general will find many delights in this great album. One of these delights is Willie's lively and joy filled rendition of the gospel classic, Where the Soul Never Dies. Willie puts all his heart and soul into this music and it is easy to see that he is just as passionate about gospel music as he is about country music or old jazz standards. This song also gives Willie a chance to show us just how great of a guitarist he is and he and his old pal Trigger (the name of his guitar) really give their all to this gospel standard. Next is The King of the Cowboys and the Queen of the West, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, with a great gospel song written by Dale herself, The Bible Tells Me So. Though The Roy Rogers Show on TV didn't have as many musical numbers as Roy and Dale's movies did, this song found its way into that show. Though he is not as well remembered today as he should be Jim Reeves was an extremely popular country singer of his era and one of the finest vocalists of the Countrypolitan movement (a commercially successful movement from the rough edged honky tonk country of the 1940's into a softer more pop friendly easy listening sound) of the late 1950's and early 1960's. This is his lovely rendition of the gospel classic, Where We'll Never Grow Old. This song was written by James Cleveland Moore in 1914. This song was inspired by him listening to his father sing, but his father's voice failing him because of old age. Matthew 7:5 says, "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." Too often we judge other people's sins but have no problem with our own sins. This is what The Charlie Daniels Band song New Pharisees is about. This song comes from their 1996 Christian album, Steel Witness. Charlie Daniels stated in his memoir, Never Look at the Empty Seats, that he took special care writing his Christian songs because in his younger years, though he believed in God, he did not fully understand what the Bible actually said and he wanted his band's Christian albums to speak to those who are like he was. Today's musical selection continues with The Sons of the Pioneers' 1937 recording of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. At this time the group was made up of Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, Leonard Slye (later to leave the band for a movie career under the name Roy Rogers), Lloyd Perryman, Karl Farr and Hugh Farr. This is personally my favorite line up for the band (though I love this band under any incarnation). Today's musical selection ends with Cowboy Copas' 1956 recording of Don't Shake Hands With The Devil.
Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:19
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 2:26
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20
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! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life. Luke 12:24-25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs 30:5
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6
Many are the plans in a human heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Thanks for joining me my friends come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
-Michael J. Ruhland