We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them. God doesn't give us the people we want; He gives us the people we need... to help  us, to hurt us, to leave us, to love us and to make us into the person we were meant to be. Here's an account of the circumstances that led Stuart Humblen (Stuart Hamblen biography) to write the famous song," It Is No Secret."

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, 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 a.m., 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 until about 5 a.m. 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 that 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."  You may sing along, it's playing.

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. You may have longed for added strength Your courage to renew Do not be disheartened For I bring hope to you. Chorus: It is no secret what God can do What He's done for others He will 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'll never walk alone Always feel at home Wherever you may roam. No evil power can conquer you While God is on your side Just take Him at His promise Don't run away and hide. Chorus: It is no secret what God can do What He's done for others He will 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? ... That was Billy Graham. Jesus is still in the business of changing lives ... Sing along with this beautiful song with gusto... as if no one is watching. It is not secret what God can do!

By Tim Pedrosa

 

I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is.