This Morning at the Church in Toronto, Nigel gave the example of Denzel Washington's receiving of the Holy Spirit. Here is the interview that he was referring to. Enjoy! ---Ian Brinksman
Denzel Washington is an accomplished actor. Now age 57, he’s played everyone from Malcolm X to Hurricane Carter and in the process racked up two Oscars (Glory & Training Day). He starred in films as diverse as Philadelphia, Remember the Titans, Crimson Tide, & the Flight (forthcoming). Yet do you really know Denzel Washington? How much do you know about his Christian background (he’s a “PK” Preacher’s Kid) and his experience of God. Recently Michael Hainey of GQ Magazine interviewed Washington. In course of a wide-ranging interview—in Question & Answer format—Denzel Washington (DW) recounts his experience of being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” [This reminds us of Paul’s question to the Galatians—“Did you receive the Holy Spirit…?”] Here are a few extracts.
Q: Your father was a Pentecostal preacher?
A: Yes. I went [to church] every Sunday as a kid, so I can relate to the people who don't like it because there was a time when it was a job. We all go through our rebellion.
“I was being filled with the Holy Spirit”
Q: I read somewhere that you said you once felt yourself being filled with the Holy Spirit. [DW describes his experience of being “filled with the Holy Spirit.”]
A: That was 30 years ago, at the church I still attend. The minister was preaching, "Just let it go." I said, "I'm going to go with it." And I had this tremendous physical and spiritual experience. It did frighten me. I was slobbering, crying, sweating. My cheeks blew up. I was purging. It was too intense. It almost drove me away. I called my mother, and she said I was being filled with the Holy Spirit. I was like, "Does that mean I can never have wine again?"
“I read from the Bible every day”
Q: Do you have any code you live by?
A: I read from the Bible every day, and I read my Daily Word. I read something great yesterday. It said, "Don't aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference."
“Get on your knees...start your day with prayer.”
Q: If you had one thing to say to African-American readers of GQ, what would you say?
A: ...take responsibility. Put your slippers way under your bed so when you get up in the morning, you have to get on your knees to find them. And while you're down there, start your day with prayer. Ask for wisdom. Ask for understanding. I'm not telling you what religion to be, but work on your spirit. You know, mind, body, and spirit. Imagine—work the brain muscle. Keep the body in tune—it's your temple. All things in moderation. Continue to search...
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