Back in the 50's there was
a well known radio host/
comedian/song writer in
Hollywood named Stuart
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."

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
his show, Hamblin 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 2AM
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 Stuart in and they talked
untilabout 5 AM at which point Stuart dropped
to his knees and with tears, cried out to God.
But that is not the end of the
story. Stuart quit drinking, quit
chasing women, quit everything
hat was 'fun.' Soon he 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,
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?"

Stuart answered simply, "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."

And Stuart'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 Stuart wrote was "It Is No Secret."

IT IS NO SECRET

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.

~Words and Music by Stuart Hamblin~

By the way...

the friend was John Wayne.

And the young preacher who
refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen?

...That was Billy Graham.

Worth repeating.