The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29
Back in the 1950's there was a well known radio host - song writer and comedian in Hollywood named Staurt Hamblen. He was also well known for his drinking, womanizing and partying. One of his bigger hits at that time was, "I Won't Go Hunting With You Jake, But I'll Go Chasing Women!"
One day, along came a young preacher holding a tent revival. Hamblen had him on his radio show, presumably to poke fun at him. In order to gather more material for the show, Hamblen showed up at one of the revival meetings.
Early in the service the preacher announced, "There is one man in this audience who is a big fake!" There were probably others who thought the same thing, but Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher was talking about. (some would call this conviction) But, Hamblen would have none of that!
Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's hotel around 2AM demanding that the preacher pray for him. But the preacher refused saying, "This is between you and God. I am not going to get into the middle of it."
However, he did invite Hamblen in and they talked until about 5AM, at which point Hamblen dropped to his knees and with tears, cried out to God.
This was not to be the end of Hamblen's story.
Stuart Hamblen quit drinking, quit chasing women and quit everything that was 'fun for him.' It wasn't long before he lost favor with the Hollywood crowds. Soon he was fired by the radio station, when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.
Hard times came upon him. He tried writing a couple of "Christian" songs but the only one that had much success was, "This Old House" written for his friend Rosemary Clooney. As he continued to struggle, a long time friend named, John took him aside and told him, "All your troubles started when you 'got religion,' Was it worth it all?" Hamblen, simply answered, "yes!"
Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much, don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was, "No." John then said, "I don't understand how you could give it up so easily." Hamblen's response was, "It's no big secret, all things are possible with God!" To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it."
And... as they say, "The rest is history!"
The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was, "It Is No Secret."
"It is no secret what God can do. What he's done for others, he'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll pardon you. It is no secret, what God can do..."
By the way... The friend was John Wayne, and the young preacher who refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen??? ... Well, that was Billy Graham!
I want to tell you that God is no respecter of persons! What He has done for others, He will do for you!! If your burdens seem bigger than life. If you don't know how to keep going on... you can have peace and you can find rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. Come to Him, He will show you the pathway of life!!
Back in the 1950's there was a well known radio host - song writer and comedian in Hollywood named Staurt Hamblen. He was also well known for his drinking, womanizing and partying. One of his bigger hits at that time was, "I Won't Go Hunting With You Jake, But I'll Go Chasing Women!"
One day, along came a young preacher holding a tent revival. Hamblen had him on his radio show, presumably to poke fun at him. In order to gather more material for the show, Hamblen showed up at one of the revival meetings.
Early in the service the preacher announced, "There is one man in this audience who is a big fake!" There were probably others who thought the same thing, but Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher was talking about. (some would call this conviction) But, Hamblen would have none of that!
Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's hotel around 2AM demanding that the preacher pray for him. But the preacher refused saying, "This is between you and God. I am not going to get into the middle of it."
However, he did invite Hamblen in and they talked until about 5AM, at which point Hamblen dropped to his knees and with tears, cried out to God.
This was not to be the end of Hamblen's story.
Stuart Hamblen quit drinking, quit chasing women and quit everything that was 'fun for him.' It wasn't long before he lost favor with the Hollywood crowds. Soon he was fired by the radio station, when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.
Hard times came upon him. He tried writing a couple of "Christian" songs but the only one that had much success was, "This Old House" written for his friend Rosemary Clooney. As he continued to struggle, a long time friend named, John took him aside and told him, "All your troubles started when you 'got religion,' Was it worth it all?" Hamblen, simply answered, "yes!"
Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much, don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was, "No." John then said, "I don't understand how you could give it up so easily." Hamblen's response was, "It's no big secret, all things are possible with God!" To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it."
And... as they say, "The rest is history!"
The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was, "It Is No Secret."
"It is no secret what God can do. What he's done for others, he'll do for you. With arms wide open, He'll pardon you. It is no secret, what God can do..."
By the way... The friend was John Wayne, and the young preacher who refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen??? ... Well, that was Billy Graham!
I want to tell you that God is no respecter of persons! What He has done for others, He will do for you!! If your burdens seem bigger than life. If you don't know how to keep going on... you can have peace and you can find rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. Come to Him, He will show you the pathway of life!!
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