It is No Secret

[rayofsunshine]

Back in the 50's there was a well known radio host/comedian/song
writer in Hollywood named Russ Hamblen who was noted for his drinking,
womanizing, partying, etc. One of his bigger hits at the time was "I
won't go hunting with you Jake, but I'll go chasing women".

And along came a young preacher holding a tent revival. Hamblen had
him on his radio show, presumably to poke fun at him. And to gather
more material, 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 that conviction), but he was having 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 door around 2 am. Demanding that the
preacher pray for him. But the preacher refused, saying, "This is
between you and God and I'm not going to get in the middle of it." But
he did invite Russ in and they talked about 5 am at which point Russ
dropped to his knees and with tears, cried out to God.

But that is not the end of the story. Russ quit drinking, quit
chasing, quit everything that was "fun". And began to lose favor with
the Hollywood crowd. He was ultimately fired by the radio station when
he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor. Hard times were 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, an old friend named John took him aside
and told him all your troubles started when you "got religion" and
asked if it was worth it all. Russ answered simply, "Yes". Then his
friend said, "You liked your booze so much. Don't you ever miss it?"
And the answer was, "No". John then said, "I don't understand how you
could give it up so easily." And Russ'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."

As they say, the rest is history. The song Russ 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 welcome you. It
is no secret, what God can do." etc...

By the way, the friend was John Wayne, and the young preacher who
refused to pray for Russ Hamblen was Billy Graham. And now you know
"the rest of the story."

Carl Stuart Hamblen composed and recorded "It Is No Secret" in 1950.
Born in Texas in 1908, Hamblen enjoyed a long and successful musical
career as a singer/songwriter, with more than two hundred songs to his
credit, before he passed away in California in 1989. Hamblen was a
heavy drinker who swore off demon rum and made religion a central part
of his life in 1949 after attending "Youth for Christ," a historic
revival meeting held by the Reverend Dr. Billy Graham in Los Angeles.

It Is No Secret What God Can Do
The chimes of time ring out the news,
Another day is through.
Someone slipped and fell.
Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength,
Your courage to renew.
Do not be disheartened,
For I have news for you.

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.

There is no night for in His light
You never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.

There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don't run away and hide.

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.

[cmc]

I love that story! Thanks ray!

[CAPTAINZING2000]

that is inspirational