It Is No Secret

In 1949 a young North Carolina preacher came to Los Angeles to hold revival services. Billy Graham was concerned about the small crowd size the first few nights. A disc jockey in town attended a service, was convicted by the message, and gave his life to Christ that evening. The following morning Stuart Hamblen told his radio audience about his experience. As a result the crowds came, and the Crusade lasted six weeks. 

Thanks to seven year old Jayden for helping mow yard.

Later, that same radio DJ attended a party at the home of a neighbor and actor, John Wayne. The conversations were around the troubles of the day. Stuart mentioned that it was no secret what God could do to help with those troubles. As Mr and Mrs Hamblen were leaving for the evening, Mr Wayne, the host, told Stewart he ought to write a song about his comment.

Thanks for helping spray 3rd pass beans this past week, Kasey, Alex, Dean, and Kurt.

The Hamblens returned home around midnight. And as his wife put curlers her hair for the next day, Stuart sat in his living room and wrote this song: "It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others. He'll do for you. His arms wide open. He'll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do."

On Tuesday I attended a meeting in Grand Mound, Iowa about using Dust, made from soybeans, instead of graphite and talc. In both the company's tests and our own farm, the 16 amino acids are proving to be a great help during the early growth of corn and soybeans. Biologicals are also stacked as a seed box treatment.

Jan and I attended The Family Leader Summit this past week. Steve talked about putting away the idol of cowardice and men stepping up and leading with excellence and character.

Elie is a friend I met in 2019 while Jan and I were in Israel. He works in the state department of his country Israel. On the day after the Hamas attacks in October, Elie told me in a text one of the hardest thing he has done was to bring his daughter to report for military duty after Sunday dinner. She is a sniper patrol commander. And is still serving her country today in Gaza.

It was great to see Del and Missy again. Del told an amazing personal story Thursday evening about God's faithfulness and answered prayers. Del is the author of both The Truth Project, about loving God, and The Engagement Project, about loving our neighbors.

Dr Yechiel was chief of staff to Mr Netanyahu when he was minister of finance in Israel. He had eight sons serving in the military until his oldest was killed last October fighting. He made a comment I'll not forget. He said it's easy to lose hope in the future of America.

Jan and I helped by picking Rick up from the Des Moines airport Thursday evening. It was fun catching up and we hope to visit him and Karen in a couple of weeks. What struck me most about Rick's talk was his favorite verse, John 15:18 "If the world hates you, remember, it hated Me first."

Jan and I were blessed to have supper with Joel Rosenberg and his son Jacob last Thursday evening. Joel has dual citizenship in both Israel and the United States. He is best known as an author of political and military Middle eastern novels. Our friend Bob from Rapid City, SD is sitting to my left.

Joel and Rick invited me to join them in a separate room where they visited for an hour about Israel, politics, and the state of our country.

"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 bring this news to 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." 

I think it's Divine intervention that this past week Jan and I listened together, and talked about this song we grew up with in our homes.

Our visit wouldn't be complete this morning without mentioning the assassination attempt on our former president. I thought the words of the song Stuart wrote in 1951 were relevant this morning. Notice the bullet projectile in the red circle.

It is no secret, God protected our former president with the turn of his head. This isn't just about our former president. This is about our way of life. I'll close with what I've been saying all year. Our country is in trouble. I continue to predict we will not have elections in November. And God will continue to protect our future generations. "With arms wide open".