Johnny Cash’s Sister Shares Her Brother’s Faith: ‘He Gave His Heart To The Lord’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Music icon Johnny Cash is often remembered as the rebellious country star, but his sister Joanne Cash has recently shared that he was a man of great faith who “gave his heart to the Lord.”
Joanne spoke about her brother in new documentary JOHNNY CASH: THE REDEMPTION OF AN AMERICAN ICON. A portion of the Movieguide® review reads:
JOHNNY CASH: THE REDEMPTION OF AN AMERICAN ICON tells an inspiring story of redemption, faith and service to the Lord. “There’s no lonelier place on Earth to be than being separated from God,” Johnny says during the movie. JOHNNY CASH: THE REDEMPTION OF AN AMERICAN ICON contains references to adultery and drug addiction, so it’s not for young children. Also, the movie doesn’t mention that, after getting free of drugs in 1970, Johnny Cash relapsed three times before he died in 2003.
“He gave his heart to the Lord when he was 12, at our little country church,” Joanne said of Cash’s faith. “But when he grew up he got away from God and got in the drug years. He [then] recommitted his life to Christ… I guess he thought, ‘If God could change me, he could change anybody.’”
She continued, “The Lord is very real in my life and was very real in Johnny’s life. Our mother was a very strong Christian and prayed for us constantly. Johnny’s unshakable faith in God was taught to him by our brother Jack. [He] was going to be a pastor, and of course, God took him to heaven before that could happen. He was only 14. But it taught Johnny to have an unshakable faith in the Lord.”
Joanne admitted that her brother strayed from the Lord in later years, but he became a born-again Christian in 1972.
“He, like all of us, was not perfect,” Joanne said of her brother. “We are not perfect. That’s why we need a Savior. Johnny knew he wasn’t perfect… He fell. He went into the dark side. And in the drug years, he almost lost his life… But God showed him some sort of a light. And I believe that was the Lord. It was the Holy Spirit leading him out of that darkness. And it changed his life… That’s why… he gave his heart back to the Lord and emerged from that darkness… I want people to know that as long as there is life and breath, there is hope.”
She also shared a special message with fans of Cash: “Your dreams can come true and then you [also can fall] away and get… to death’s door. [But] through the Lord Jesus Christ, there is hope… Even if you’re at your very lowest point. And Johnny proved that.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
