Hello my friends and welcome back to another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with Hank Williams and his wife Audrey Williams' 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. This is followed by Willie Nelson and his sister Bobbie Nelson with Lilly of the Valley. This is followed by Roy Rogers with his 1940 recording of Mommy Can I Take My Doll to Heaven. This is one of the saddest and most moving songs that the King of the Cowboy's recorded and differs greatly with the more joyful cowboy songs he is associated with. Next is The Bailes Brothers' 1947 recording of Something Got a Hold of Me. This is a rather obscure hymn written by Warren Caplinger and Andy Patterson of radio's Cap, Andy and Flip, in the 1930's. They never recorded this song. Instead it came to country music fans attention when the Carter Family recorded it in 1941 and The Bailes Brothers recorded this version in 1947. Hank Williams would preform this song on the Mother's Best radio show in 1951 and his version seems to be heavily influenced by this recording. This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with an original gospel song, How Will I Know Him. This song was written by one of The Sons of the Pioneers' founding members, Bob Nolan. Bob Nolan, I don't feel gets enough attention for the pure and vivid poetry that he brought to country music. His lyrics bring vivid and beautiful images to mind immediately and his hauntingly timeless melodies take you immediately to another time and place. There has never been another and there never will be another Bob Nolan. Johnny Cash grew up with church music and wanted deeply to record in a Church with an organ for much of his career, in fact he had talked to producer Rick Ruben about recording a whole album like that. While the whole album was unable to happen, Johnny was able to record a few song like this. Johnny only used one song he recorded in this way for his album The Man Comes Around and that was Danny Boy (a song he had previously recorded on his 1965 album, Orange Blossom Special). However another song he recorded this way found its way onto the Unearthed box set. This song was You'll Never Walk Alone and Johnny does an amazing job here as well. The organ is played by Benmount Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Today's musical selection ends with the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson singing Victory in Jesus.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. Ezekiel 33:19
Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” Isaiah 43:1-2
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I (Jesus) am He (the Messiah), you will die in your sins. John 8:24
"There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” Romans 3:10-12
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Colossians 3:23-24
Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. Proverbs 6:7-8
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. Proverbs 13:11
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord Acts 3:19
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
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22
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
Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you. Deuteronomy 3:22
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
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
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