Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.
Today's musical selection begins with the Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, with her version of The King is Coming. This lovely recording comes from her 1972 album Praise the Lord. This is an important song for all of us Christians as it reminds us that all the troubles of this world are temporary things and pale in comparison to the great joy Jesus has in store for us. Next comes the one and only Ray Price with a beautiful version of I Called His Name He Took My Hand. This version comes his excellent 1974 gospel album, This Time Lord. This song fully embraces the country-politan sound of the era. For those not familiar with the term country-politan, it was a movement in country music to get away from the harder edged honky tonk sound of a lot of early country to a more smooth easy listening song that was much more pop-friendly. While this movement in many ways moved country music away from what so many purists liked about it, it still sounded pretty darn good when done well and this is an example of it done very well. Next comes Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys with their 1947 recording of The Old Crossroads. This is one of Bill's finest compositions and that is saying a lot. The song is incredibly powerful in both music and lyrics and every time I hear this song it moves me in someway. This is also one of the finest recordings of this great song. Much of this is due to the incredible harmonies between Bill Monroe and Lester Flatts. Simply put this is as close to perfection as bluegrass music can get. After this comes Johnny Cash (backed by the Carter Family and the Statler Brothers) singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic in an excellent performance from a 1969 episode of The Johnny Cash Show. This is followed by 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.” Today's musical selection ends with Randy Travis and Mac Powell (the lead singer of Third Day (my favorite Christian rock band)) with the classic hymn, Love Lifted Me. This song was written in 1912 by James Rowe and Howard Smith. James wrote the lyrics while Howard wrote the melody and both worked very closely together with James Rowe's daughter once said “ I can see them now, my father striding up and down humming a bar or two, and Howard E. playing it and jotting it down…The two huddled together, working line by line, bar by bar, composing this hymn in tandem.”
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent– the LORD detests them both. Proverbs 17:15
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6
This is the word of faith we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:8-10
The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Proverbs 12:12
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! Proverbs 17:7
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
By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:10
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:13
For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:8-9
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
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
"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:8
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
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? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:25-34
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Thank you for joining me and 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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