Posts Tagged ‘Scott Sullivan’
December 25,2011
December 26th, 2011In todays’ day and time, it’s easy to lose sight,
When we go shopping, We say “How much will it cost?”
Amidst the tinsel, glitter And ribbons of gold,
The children look for Santa In his big, red sleigh
In reality, When we look into the night sky,
A faithful reminder, Of that night so long ago,
Santa lives at the North Pole.. JESUS is everywhere.
Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl, what’s your name?”…
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
December 18,2011 Bulletin
December 19th, 2011New Requests: Violet Foster Family, John O’Cull Family, Lowell McClurg, Emma
Jordan Family, Natalie Bradley and her family
Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore,
Carolyn Compton, John McLaughlin, Donna Dietrich
Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul
Roberts, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann, Kathy Sower, Ruth Hurst, Star Johnson, Edith
Westfall, Billy Barbour
Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen
Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald
Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Carol Wills, Marie Drexell
Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the
“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled
Birthdays December 21 Billy Melton REMINDERS
Christmas Play—Sunday, December 18—6:30
Christmas Sunday—Morning Services Only
WHERE’S THE LINE TO SEE JESUS?
The story behind this song, as told by Steve Haupt:
“While at the mall last year, my four year old grandson saw kids lined up excitedly to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of God’s son; with the innocence of a child, he asked his mom, ‘Where’s the line to see Jesus? If Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, why don’t we see Him more?’ As his grandpa, I was so happy that little Spencer understood the meaning of Christmas at such a tender age, and then the words for a song were jotted down in just a few minutes. The song was inspired by my grandson, and the message was inspired by my Savior. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults cannot understand. Hopefully Spencer’s observation and our song will cause people to reflect on the love of Jesus, and the certainty that one day we will all stand in line to see Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone.”
Christmas time was approaching, Snow is starting to fall,
Shoppers choosing their presents, People filling the mall.
Children waiting for Santa, With excitement and glee,
A little boy tugged my sweater, Looked up and asked me.
“Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
It’s Christmas time, it’s His birthday. Why don’t we see Him more?
Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents. But Christ gave His life for me.”
As I stood in amazement, At this message profound,
I looked down to thank him, He was nowhere around.
Little boy at the mall, Might as well have had wings,
As the tears filled my eyes, but I heard him sing.
“Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
It’s Christmas time, it’s His birthday. Why don’t we see Him more?
Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents. But Christ gave His life for me.”
In the blink of an eye, at the sound of His trump,
We’ll all stand in line at His throne. Every knee shall bow down,
Every tongue will confess, That Jesus Christ is Lord
“Where’s the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
It’s Christmas time, it’s His birthday. Why don’t we see Him more?
Where’s the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents. But Christ gave His life for me.”
You can hear this song by going to www.youtube.com and searching for “Where’s The Line To See Jesus.”
What’s Christmas About?
It’s not about when Santa comes.
It’s not about candies and sugarplums.
It’s about the belief in the birth of a heavenly babe.
Which will bring us eternal life, once we are saved.
It’s not about getting the latest trend, toy or game.
It’s about knowing the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, are the same.
It’s not about the biggest tree or the brightest lights.
It’s about faith in His word that will keep us on a path that’s right.
It’s not about the amount of money we’ve spent.
It’s about the heavy load, on us, that causes His back to be bent.
It’s about the ultimate sacrifice, in the name of love.
A man, once sent to us, as a messenger from above.
A man, once sent to us, to save us from our sins.
Always offering a way to live and to begin again.
Maybe, Happy Birthday are words that need to be said,
Along with Merry Christmas, as we lie and pray, in our beds.
It’s about an oft said, cliche’,
That needs to be repeated, especially on this day.
Jesus is the reason — for the season!
Merry Christmas From Jason and Tammy Cox and Aills Christian Church
We will be having church services on Sunday Christmas Day . Everyone is welcome. Come worshop with us .
Jesus is The Reason For The Season !!!
December 3,2011
December 5th, 2011New Requests: Billy Melton, Douglas Applegate, Billy Barbour, Donna Dietrich
Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore,
Carolyn Compton, John McLaughlin
Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul
Roberts, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann , Kathy Sower, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst,
Star Johnson, Edith Westfall
Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen
Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald
Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder, Paul Collier,
Louella Ruark
Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the
“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled
REMINDERS
Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy—Religions of Today
Ladies Meeting—Thurs. Dec. 9-6:00
Play Practice—Sat. Dec 10—4:00-6:00
Christmas Play—Sunday, December 18—6:30
Birthday December 10 Jennifer Sullivan
Congratulation on Shirley and Jack McCann on becoming grandparents again. Little Owen is 5 1/2 months old and will arrive in the states in three or four months. Let’s all pray that all goes well for Chuck and Lana in the next few months.
Twas the Month before Christmas
Twas the month before Christmas when all through our land, not a Christian was praying nor taking a stand. See the PC Police had taken away the reason for Christmas – no one could say. The children were told by their schools not to sing about Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things. It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday ‘. Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit pushing folks down to the floor just to get it! CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod something was changing, something quite odd! Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa in hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda. As Targets were hanging their trees upside down at Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found, at K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears you won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears. Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty are words that were used to intimidate me. Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen, on Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton ! At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter to eliminate Jesus, in all public matter. And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith forbidden to speak of salvation and grace. The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded the reason for the season, stopped before it started. So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’ sipping your Starbucks, listen to me. Choose your words carefully, choose what you say Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday ! Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet MERRY CHRISTMAS. Christ is The Reason’ for the Christ-mas Season!
THE THREE TREES
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with Intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”
Then the second tree said, “Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.”
Finally the third tree said, “I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, “This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter”… and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, “This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.
One of the Woodsmen said, “I don’t need anything special from my tree so I’ll
take this one,” and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said “Peace” and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don’t seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts.
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don’t always know what God’s plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
Merry Christmas and God Bless From Jason and Tammy Cox
November 27,2011
November 28th, 2011New Requests: Harry Hester Family, Marie Dummitt Family, Vicki Clark, Carolyn
Compton, Mary Swearingen Family
Continuing Requests: Jerry Love, Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore, Marie
Drexel
Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul
Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann
Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst, Star John, Edith Westfall
Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen
Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald
Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,
Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder, Paul Collier
Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the
“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled
Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy
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Birthdays and Anniversaries
November 27 Michelle Himes
November 28 Stephen Cordle
December 2 Daneyl Carrington
December 3 George/Daneyl Carrington
December 3 Carol Cunningham
December 3 Mark Vergne
Will the Christ Child Come?
One Christmas we had an interesting experience that I would like to share. Halfway through December we were doing the regular evening things when there was a knock at the door. We opened it to find a small package with a beautiful ceramic lamb inside. We looked at the calendar and realized that the 12 days of Christmas were beginning! We waited excitedly for the next night’s surprise and only then, with the gift of a matching shepherd, did we realize that the lamb was part of a nativity set.
Each night we grew more excited to see what piece we would receive. Each was exquisitely beautiful. The kids kept trying to catch the givers as we slowly built the scene at the manger and began to focus on Christ’s birth.
On Christmas Eve, all the pieces were in place, all but the Baby Jesus. My 12-year-old son really wanted to catch our benefactors and began to devise all kinds of ways to trap them. He ate dinner in the minivan, watching and waiting, but no one came. Finally, we called him in to go through our family’s Christmas Eve traditions. But before the kids went to bed, we checked the front step – - no Baby Jesus! We began to worry that my son had scared them off. My husband suggested that maybe they dropped the Jesus and there wouldn’t be anything coming. Somehow, something was missing that Christmas Eve.
There was a feeling that things weren’t complete. The kids went to bed and before I went to bed, I again checked to see if the Jesus had come – - no, the doorstep was empty. In our family, the kids can open their stockings when they want to, but they have to wait to open any presents until Dad wakes up. So one by one they woke up very early and I also woke up to watch them. Even before they opened their stockings, each child checked to see if perhaps during the night the Baby Jesus had come.
Missing that piece of the set seemed to have an odd effect. At least it changed my focus. I knew there were presents under the tree for me and I was excited to watch the children open their gifts, but first on my mind was the feeling of waiting for the ceramic Christ Child. We had opened just about all of the presents when one of the children found one more for me buried deep beneath the limbs of the tree.
He handed me a small package from my former visiting teaching companion. This sister was somewhat less-active in the church. I had been her visiting teacher for a couple of years and then, when she was asked to be a visiting teacher, she requested to go with me. I had learned over time they didn’t have much for Christmas, so that their focus was on the children. It sounded like she didn’t get many gifts to open, so I had always given her a small package — new dish towels, the next year’s Relief Society lesson manual — not much, but something for her to open.
I was touched when at church on the day before Christmas, she had given me this small package, saying it was just a token of her love and appreciation. As I took off the bow, I remembered my friendship with her and was filled with gratitude for knowing her and for her kindness and sacrifice in this giving me a gift. But as the paper fell away, I began to tremble and cry. There in the small brown box was the Baby Jesus! He had come!
I realized on that Christmas Day, that Christ will come into our lives in ways that we don’t expect. The spirit of Christ comes into our hearts as we serve one another. We had waited and watched for Him to come, expecting the dramatic “knock at the door and scurrying of feet” but He came in a small, simple package that represented service, friendship, gratitude and love.
This experience taught me that the beginning of the true spirit of Christmas comes as we open our hearts and actively focus on the Savior. But we will most likely find Him in the small and simple acts of love, friendship and service that we give to each other. This Christmas I want to feel again the joy of knowing that Christ is in our home. I want to focus on loving and serving. More than that, I want to open my heart to Him all year that I may see Him again.
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 NIV)
Don’t Worry, Let God
Why do we tend to worry about the things we cannot change?
We only need to remember that God has our lives arranged.
He knew us when we were being formed within our mother’s womb.
He planned our life ahead of time from our birth until the tomb.
He knows our problems and our fears we have to face each day.
Just trust He’ll walk beside us and know He’ll be with us all the way.
When we think we can’t get through the day and let despair set in,
Just look above and ask for the help that He’s always ready to send.
Rather than placing our trust in God, we often think we can do it alone.
This is just part of our human nature; the sin of pride as it is known.
God loves us dearly and wants to help us; He’s just a prayer away.
Let’s call upon His wonderful name; He’ll get us through our day.
I have had many days I thought I would never get through.
But when I stopped and talked to God, He said, “I’m here for you.”
When I heard His tender voice, it gave me the strength I needed.
My friends I’m here to tell you, with God you can’t be defeated.
There is no worry or problem that’s too big for our Lord to handle.
Remember that on our darkest days, His love is like a candle.
His love for us will light our way with a beam so very bright.
No matter what we have to face, God will help us win the fight.
November 13,2011 Bulletin
November 13th, 2011New Requests: Jerry Love, Marie Drexel, Evelyn Bare Family, Kelly Bentley
Continuing Requests: Jason Cox, Scott Sullivan, Ellen Moore, Star Johnson, Edith
Westpaul, Donna Jamison
Cancer Patients: Lanny Cooper, Earl Cooper, Joe Hewlett, William Jordan, Paul
Roberts, Stacy Pingleton, Andrew Grigson, Angie Bussell, Tara McCann
Kathy Sower, Alex Mason, John O’Cull, Ruth Hurst
Elderly and Shut Ins and their Families: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen
Dixon, Ina Hurst, Sammy Ginn, Gardena Ginn, Flora Wells, Charles Riley, Donald
Lykins, Sr., Lance O’Cull, Joe Hardy, Emma Jordan, Wilson Moore, Malcolm Roe,
Mary Swearingen, Mitch Hickle, Carol Wills, E. V. Holder
Our Web Prayer Requests, Our Troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the
“Lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled Reminder’s
Sunday Night Bible Study—Bible Prophecy in Today’s World
Love Your Enemies
Some years ago, a tiny Korean orphan arrived in the United States to join her adoptive family. She was nine months old and weighed only 9 ½ pounds. She grew and blossomed in her new home, but remained a diminutive size. Her new name was Edie.
One day when Edie was in second grade, she ran home from school, crying. She was frightened. That day, three new girls had been enrolled in her class. During the first recess, they picked the smallest girl in the class as the object of their anger and frustration. They pinched, poked, and pushed tiny Edie and threatened to beat her up. Edie had spent an hour in the principal’s office with the three girls and was assured the teachers would be watching. The girls were given a warning.
Edie’s mother held her little one and comforted her. She learned later, after speaking with the principal, that the girls had been troublemakers at several other schools. They were being given one more chance at a new beginning.
“These girls must have been very hurt in their young lives to be so angry. Her mother said. “The Bible tells us, “Be kind to your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. Edie, let’s pray.” Then they prayed for the girls and asked the Lord for a plan of action.
A plan began to take shape. “I can’t go to school with you everyday, so you will need to stay close to a teacher when you are at recess or in line to go into school.” said Edie’s mom. “If the girls start to pick on you, tell them, “I’d really like to be your friend Are you brave enough to do that?” Edie’s mother asked. “The Lord asks us to be kind to our enemies, let’s see what happens, okay?
The tiny girl perked up, and with a smile, looked at her mother and said, “Yes, Mom, I’ll try.”
The next morning, and everyday before Edie left for school, she and her mom prayed for her to be safe and brave, and for the girls to be open to God’s love. Everyday, the girls shoved into line behind Edie and called her names and tried to get in a poke or two.
Each time, Edie looked up at them and said, “I’d really like to be your friend.” She did have to look up at them since they were so much taller than she was. The teachers kept an eye on the proceedings, but did not need to interfere as the girls were not hurting her.
After about two weeks, Edie came home looking so discouraged. She told her mother that she didn’t think it was working. After they talked about it some more and prayed, she decided to keep trying and continued to faithfully tell them, “I’d really like to be your friend.”
One day the following week, Edie ran home as fast as she could and ran into the house shouting, “Mom, Mom, guess what happened today? Just like I always did, I said I’d really like to be your friend, and one of the girls said, “Okay, Edie, we give up, we’ll be your friend.”
Edie and her mom thanked the Lord for His faithfulness.
A short time later, as the girls were trying to become friends, Edie asked the teacher if she could sit at a table with these girls in the classroom. She had noticed that they were disruptive because they didn’t understand the lessons. Edie became their tutor.
Toward the end of the school year, when Edie’s parents went to school for a parent teacher conference, the teacher told them, “Because of Edie’s kindness, those girl’s have completely turned around and are productive members of the class.” She felt she had witnessed a miracle. And so did Edie’s mom and dad.
How many people go through life never experiencing kindness? They don’t see it in strangers, and some don’t even find it in their own families. Without experiencing kindness, it becomes impossible to express kindness toward others. The result of this tragic lack is seen everywhere. What a different society this would be if everyone who has received kindness would be kind to others, especially the unlovely.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44
Peace guy’s Prayer
May the people on this planet be changed.
Changed from hatred to love,
Changed from greed to giving,
Changed from selfishness to selflessness,
Changed from apathy to action,
Changed from jealousy to joy over someone’s accomplishments,
Changed from intolerance to acceptance,
Changed from being destructive to being constructive,
Changed from fighting to peace,
Changed from killing to protecting life,
Changed from censorship to freedom,
Changed from ignorance to education,
Changed from fearing our differences to rejoicing our variety.
May we each take it upon ourselves to feed the hungry, cure the sick, house the homeless, educate the illiterate, love the unloved, compete to do the right thing instead of winning at any cost, make heroes that teach our children to make the world a better place instead of glorifying violence and war, stand up and speak out against things that are wronginstead of sitting back and waiting for someone else, demand honesty from our governments, demand honesty from ourselves.
May we each take responsibility for our own actions and realize that by refusing to change ourselves,
we condone all the evils in the world.
If one person changes they teach others by example, who in turn change and teach more, one person becomes as a pebble rolling down a mountain, picking up more pebbles as it continues, becoming an avalanche of change.
It can happen, it must happen, it will happen.
To make this prayer work, you have to change yourself.
February 13 2011 Bulletin
February 13th, 2011
Prayer Request
New Request: Bill Scott Family, Wilma Cooper Family, Mike Murphy Family
Continuing Request: Wanda Cox, Lance O’Cull, Shannon Gilbert
Cancer Patients: Tammy Doyle, Deena Taylor, Lanny Cooper, Jay Iery, Earl Cooper, John Warren, David Howard, Bonnie Ferguson, Justin Brown, Maurice Kennedy, Erin Thomas, Chief Little
Elderly and Shut Ins: Maxine Soards, Carrie Edington, Helen Dixon, Ina Hurst, Leland Roberts, Sammy Ginn, Gardeana Ginn, Don McCann, Malcom Roe, Flora Wells, Delores Pepoon, Charles Riley
Our troops, Unspoken Needs, Missionaries, the “lost”, the Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Troubled
Birthdays/Anniversary
February 13 – Betty/Willie Wills
February 17 – Scott Sullivan
February 20 – Wilma Mefford
Reminders:
Tonight Bible Study – Genesis Chapter 12
Minutes; Jesus Helping Hands Meeting February 10, 2011:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. at the church by the president, Karen Stafford. Pledges were recited and the meeting was opened with a reading and a prayer.
Old News: approved to continue supporting Andy Martin, discussed cutting quilt blocks, mentioned the ham dinner that will be in May and snack list for our meetings.
Ten members were present. Prayer request: Bill Scott, Joe Mefford, Anna’s brother, Jenny’s brothers granddaughter, Jay Iery, Gracie, Anna, Maurice Kennedy, Wilma Murphy Family, Shirley’s new grandchildren’s process, and Lance O’Cull and his family.
Circle prayer was offered, Jacqui began our book study. She did an excellent job. Next moth we will be studying chapter 2. Karen Stafford provided refreshments; everyone enjoyed both good food and fellowship.
The next meeting will be March 10
Valentine’s Day with Jesus
by Marilyn Ferguson
Jesus does not send perfume
To linger in the air
Instead He sends salvation, sweet
To show how much He cares.
He doesn’t bring me candy hearts
In boxes of delight
Instead He always lets me know
I’m precious in His sight.
He doesn’t pass out pretty cards
Trimmed in shades of red
Instead He gave His life for me
His precious blood was shed.
He doesn’t hand out fancy gifts
Like we would send to mother
Instead He sends a message clear
To always love each other.
He doesn’t give me teddy bears
That whimper, “Please be mine”
Instead He gave His heart to me
I wear it all the time.
He doesn’t give me roses, pink
For all the world to see
Instead He gave eternal life
That’s good enough for me.
The History of the 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 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 until about 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 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 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 welcome 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.
