A conversation with Academy Award winning Actor Denzel Washington
Summary
TLDRIn a profound conversation, A.R. Bernard hosts Denzel Washington, discussing Denzel's journey from his roles in impactful films like 'Malcolm X' to his personal life experiences. They delve into Denzel's preparation for his iconic role, his spiritual journey, and how his faith influences his work. The dialogue also touches on the changes in social activism from the 60s to the present, highlighting the role of young people today. Denzel reflects on the importance of internal fulfillment over material success, sharing personal anecdotes about his father's influence, his marriage, and his children's paths. The conversation is a blend of Denzel's reflections on his career, spirituality, and the essence of meaningful living.
Takeaways
- 😊 Denzel sees his faith as guiding his life and career, not just Malcolm X's
- 👨👩👧👦 Denzel credits his wife and family for supporting him through ups and downs
- 🎓 Denzel prepared extensively for 2 years to play Malcolm X, focusing on the spirituality
- 😔 Denzel faced death threats while playing Malcolm X and had security for the first time
- 🙏 Denzel's father was a gentle, spiritual man who greatly influenced Denzel's faith
- 🔥 Denzel had a life-changing spiritual experience at church in his 30s
- 🗣 A woman prophetically told Denzel as a troubled teen that he would preach to millions
- 🤝 Denzel sees today's youth leading recent social justice movements in new ways
- 💖 Denzel values his family and faith far more than fame and fortune
- ⛪ Denzel keeps his extensive charity private but hopes to be among God's saints
Q & A
What role did Denzel Washington discuss preparing for, and how long did the preparation take?
-Denzel Washington discussed preparing for his role as Malcolm X in the film directed by Spike Lee. The preparation took him about one to two years.
How did Denzel Washington approach his role as Malcolm X?
-Denzel Washington approached his role as Malcolm X by working from the inside out, focusing on capturing the spirit of Malcolm X rather than just the historical context and external actions.
What personal experience did Denzel share about his faith?
-Denzel shared that he had a powerful spiritual experience when he was filled with the Holy Ghost at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, which deeply affected him although he admitted he wasn't ready to fully live by it at the time.
What did Denzel Washington say about his father's influence on him?
-Denzel Washington described his father as a gentle, spirit-filled man of God who was a significant influence in his life, highlighting his spiritual devotion and the loving relationship he had with Denzel's family.
What perspective did Denzel offer on the differences between the social movements of the 60s and now?
-Denzel noted that unlike the 60s, the current era offers many more platforms and leaders, leading to a multitude of voices and opinions. He observed that while the fundamental issues may remain, the methods of expressing and organizing have diversified significantly.
How did Denzel Washington relate his preparation for the role of Malcolm X to his personal life events at the time?
-During the preparation and filming of Malcolm X, Denzel experienced personal life events, including the death of his father and receiving death threats, which necessitated around-the-clock security, echoing some of the challenges Malcolm X faced.
What did Denzel Washington say about the impact of the autobiography of Malcolm X on him?
-Denzel Washington mentioned that before performing in a play about Malcolm X in 1981, he wasn't very familiar with Malcolm X's story. Reading the autobiography significantly impacted him, making it one of his favorite books and deeply influencing his understanding of Malcolm X.
What did Denzel discuss regarding the role of young people in current social movements?
-Denzel expressed admiration and inspiration from the involvement of young people of all backgrounds in current social movements, noting their collective actions represent a realization of part of Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of unity and activism.
What insights did Denzel Washington provide on the importance of spiritual and family legacy over material success?
-Denzel emphasized that material success and fame do not equate to happiness or fulfillment. He highlighted the importance of spiritual experiences, family, and contributing positively to others' lives as the most valuable aspects of his life.
How did Denzel Washington describe his reaction and feelings towards his son's spiritual experience?
-Denzel expressed profound happiness and pride over his son experiencing a deep level of spiritual engagement, emphasizing that this spiritual milestone was more significant to him than any material or professional achievement.
Outlines
🎤 Introduction to a Special Conversation
A.R. Bernard introduces Denzel Washington as a guest for a conversation, expressing high regard for Washington's depth of knowledge and character. Washington's participation is framed as a valuable and insightful exchange, touching upon his roles, especially in 'Malcolm X', and the dedication to his craft, highlighting a two-year preparation for the role. The dialogue sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on significant social issues and personal experiences related to faith and acting.
🌟 Reflecting on Malcolm X's Influence
The discussion delves into Denzel Washington's portrayal of Malcolm X, drawing parallels between Malcolm's transformative journey and broader historical movements. Washington shares insights into his preparation for the role and his approach to embodying the character, emphasizing internal transformation over external mimicry. The conversation also explores the broader implications of Malcolm X's life and legacy, touching upon themes of personal growth, societal change, and the enduring impact of Malcolm's journey on various audiences.
🎭 Personal Trials and Artistic Integrity
This segment centers on the personal challenges and experiences Washington faced during the filming of 'Malcolm X', particularly concerning his father's death. It delves into how these personal events paralleled the film's themes and influenced Washington's performance. The discussion also highlights the intersection of personal loss, artistic expression, and the quest for authenticity, revealing the deep emotional and spiritual reservoirs actors draw from in their work.
🙏 Spiritual Foundations and Family Influences
Denzel Washington discusses the profound impact of his father, a man of strong faith and character, on his own life and spiritual journey. He shares personal anecdotes about his religious experiences, the struggle to reconcile faith with personal desires, and the influential role of family in his life. The conversation reflects on the transformative power of faith and the importance of legacy, both spiritual and familial, in shaping one's identity and life path.
🌟 Prophetic Words and Acts of Service
The narrative shifts to the prophetic utterance made over Washington's life, his journey to fulfillment, and his significant contributions off-screen, particularly his charitable works and impact on education. Washington's humility and dedication to service are emphasized, showcasing how his faith and commitment to giving back have been integral to his life. This section illustrates the intersection of celebrity, spirituality, and philanthropy, emphasizing the deeper purpose and satisfaction derived from service and faith.
👨👦 Legacy and Familial Bonds
The conversation transitions to Washington's pride in his son, John David, and the legacy of values he hopes to pass on. Washington expresses admiration for his son's spiritual growth and professional choices, reflecting on the importance of role models and the transmission of values across generations. The segment underscores the significance of family, faith, and the personal accomplishments that resonate beyond professional success.
🙌 Closing Reflections on Faith and Community
The final segment encapsulates a broader reflection on the societal challenges faced in 2020, emphasizing the need for introspection, spiritual grounding, and communal solidarity. Washington and Bernard discuss the importance of faith, the impact of COVID-19 on societal dynamics, and the potential for personal and collective growth. The conversation concludes with a message of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of faith to guide and uplift individuals and communities amid adversity.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Malcolm X
💡Preparation
💡Spiritual journey
💡Civil rights
💡Role model
💡Activism
💡Faith
💡Legacy
💡Transformation
💡Social justice
Highlights
A.R. Bernard introduces Denzel Washington as a guest, highlighting his multifaceted achievements and the excitement for the conversation.
Denzel Washington discusses his preparation for the role of Malcolm X, emphasizing the extensive two-year process and the internal focus required for the portrayal.
Washington reflects on the historical and personal significance of the Malcolm X role, focusing on the character's journey and personal transformation.
The conversation touches on the social and political relevance of the Malcolm X film, discussing its impact across different communities and the insights it provides into racial and social issues.
Washington shares his approach to roles, prioritizing the internal spirit and faith over external historical accuracy, highlighting his method of working from the inside out.
The dialogue explores the changes and continuities in social activism from the 1960s to the present, with Washington providing insights into the complexity of leadership and the multitude of voices in today's movements.
Washington recounts personal challenges during the filming of Malcolm X, including his father's death and the pressure and threats he faced, showcasing the personal stakes involved in his work.
The conversation delves into Washington's personal faith journey, revealing moments of profound spiritual experience and the ongoing process of living out his faith.
Washington discusses the impact of a prophetic word on his life, tracing the fulfillment of a prophecy about preaching to millions and reflecting on his influence and reach.
The interview highlights Washington's philanthropic efforts and personal commitment to giving back, emphasizing the importance of doing good and making a tangible impact on others' lives.
Washington reflects on the lessons learned from COVID-19, the importance of stillness, and the spiritual messages being conveyed through the pandemic's challenges.
The conversation touches on the importance of family and legacy, with Washington sharing insights into his marriage, parenting, and the values he hopes to pass on to his children.
Washington and Bernard discuss the evolving nature of leadership and activism, considering the role of the younger generation in shaping the future of social and political movements.
The dialogue concludes with reflections on faith, legacy, and the desire to be part of a greater community of believers, underscoring Washington's spiritual priorities and life goals.
Washington's narrative throughout the interview weaves together themes of faith, personal growth, social responsibility, and the enduring quest for meaning and purpose, offering a comprehensive insight into his life and worldview.
Transcripts
hello everyone a.r bernard here
excited about today i have an incredible
man father husband and teacher you'll be
surprised how much
knowledge this brother can drop he has
come a long way
and um i cannot tell you
what elaine how glad i am that he's
consented
to be a part of this conversation
it's denzel washington so he's going to
be joining me wow
there he is already that was quick that
was quick
how are you excellent excellent how are
you
i'm glad to hear that and let me say
thank you to malcolm i've got to give
malcolm a shout out
for jumping right here and helping us
out here malcolm
now you know the real boss is standing
over here as soon as i mention her name
she starts running now uh-oh
uh-oh i really want to thank you for
taking the time
to just have this conversation there's
so much going on
in our world in our country
and i couldn't help but reflect back on
your role in a very important film and
that is
the malcolm x movie that you did with
spike louis lee
you and i and oletta your wife and karen
my wife we had lunch and
we had talked a little about about what
you went through
in that particular movie but the movie
speaks to the times of the late 50s
60s and the social issue the 60s was
a decade of every revolution imaginable
going on
in america so
what what did you go through to prepare
for that role as malcolm x oh wow
um uh actually you know i i did a play
about malcolm mexico when the chickens
came home to roost
in 1981 and that's when i realized that
i could play the part first of all that
we got a lot of attention for it and
that
that that it was something i could do so
going into the film
i felt like i i could you know play the
part but in terms
of preparation we don't have that much
time to tell you everything that i went
through
because it's uh it was a year or two
year process
so it took you two years to prepare for
that and i'm thinking
that we can't cover all of that but uh i
mean
you had to look at the historical
context of of malcolm
from the time he was malcolm little to
the time that he came became malcolm x
the nation of islam uh what
what historically did you have to do to
prepare your thinking
uh about that context more importantly i
worked from the inside out i didn't
worry about the historical context
i didn't my focus wasn't on
the the things that you would see
me do or or what one might perceive
of of the film or my performance my
my concern was was the inside making
sure i had the right
spirit and uh and that that was
that i was going to be about god's
business not just
not just malcolm x's business so for you
any role that you play
is about representing
your faith your crystal centric
faith uh but here you are
portraying an individual who was
searching he was looking
and you know from what i understand
about his history
he didn't really land anywhere the
nation of islam was part of
his journey of faith
um so you got into the person the
inner workings of this man so that you
could portray him
you know in a very powerful way and you
did absolutely amazing i had
cannot tell you how many white pastors
and associates of mine
in a conversation about the film told me
how much it meant to them because it
helped them
understand and help them experience the
pain and help
put things in context i had the the
privilege of working with
uh professor c eric lincoln who wrote
the book
the definitive work on the nation of
islam uh called the black muslim
movement in america
and for so many people black white
any class any culture it spoke
volumes what what was it about the
characters journey malcolm's journey
that spoke to me or yes yeah well you
know it's
it's it's it's it's it's not a journey
we all go through but
it's representative of of a journey that
we we go through i mean
he was affected by his past what
happened to his father what happened to
his mother what it turned him into
and uh not to compare him to
paul but he had a a moment when he was
knocked
he had a supernatural if you will
spiritual moment where
he he uh was committed to to
to the honorable elijah muhammad and and
and and to that teaching
and you know his life and and death
stands as an example
uh for for a lot of us it spoke to me
specifically you know
when i did the play and and i didn't
really know that much about malcolm x to
be honest with you that
before doing a play in 1981 i hadn't
read
the autobiography of malcolm x in fact i
i actually
said who's this elijah guy he keeps
talking
about this i didn't even realize the
man's name was elijah okay
so i was coming from zero uh uh
which was a good thing i was an open
vessel yeah yeah
yeah i could see that because you come
with a blank slate
no no colored lens open to learn
and and to experience uh malcolm
ends up you know at in attention with
the nation
and you know i'm i'm i was part of the
old school of the nation before
farrakhan really
came into a position of of somewhat
power because the media is what
really blew minnesota up uh but prior to
that
he was not as prominent as the public
you know the media would like you uh
like you to think
uh so when you when you think about the
nation from your christian exp
experience your your christian faith uh
was it a religion
a religious experience or was it more so
an organization that reacted in protest
to the failure
of the white christian church in america
to address the socio-economic plight
of blacks in this country well my answer
to that
is sort of based on what i learned once
i
learned as in my youth i had no you know
martin luther king was in our house not
not malcolm x
he was a minister in the church of god
in christ so it wasn't even brought up
i didn't even know who he was or or or
or anything about that so
in my youth it wasn't it wasn't a
question and and
and really until i was introduced to the
autobiography of malcolm x
which which to this day is one of my
favorite books and
and you know i learned so much about
what he had gone through and
and uh it wasn't until that time until
there was a change
so in your house it was dr king's
in my neighborhood in benson cyrus and
bushwick brooklyn
we had those two icons we had dr king we
had malcolm
dr king for us was weak and didn't
understand the need to overthrow the
system
malcolm got it you know we we were too
young
to and too naive to appreciate the power
of
of the nine non-violent action that dr
king was talking about
and how he wanted to appeal to the
conscience of america
malcolm was saying take up arms let's
get on with this and grab
the circle of it and we we really had to
choose because we had we had two sides
the the the boys who went to church
because i didn't
you know they kind of were exposed to dr
king
and their parents said this is the man
this is the icon but with us
so it was those two icons predominantly
but today
it's it's it's different there's there's
a
seems to be a blend of of non-violent
protests and at the same time
the call for civil disobedience and
and and action and and protest
to you you look at what's happening
today what's the difference
between the 60s and now too many options
you know in the information age you have
as many options as you have leaders you
have as many leaders as you do opinions
you know so
who are the chief and who are the
indians so
i and that's by intent because you take
with black lives matters
uh i i interviewed d ray mckesson who
was one of the founders uh on my radio
show
and when eric garner that case
came out you know the choco situation
here in staten island
uh and there was an uproar when the
mayor of new york city
bill de blasio met with black lives
matter he was meeting with 15 different
organizations under that one
banner right so in the millennial mind
they don't want
a a a leader a messianic figure to
emerge like a malcolm or like a dr
king they want it to be spread out but
the reality
is there's no structure to that and
and people become confused as to what
the exact message
is you know yeah i agree i agree
so you mean what should we do about that
look you know what you're you're being
modest because you're a man
that you we've had conversations over
time and you're very insightful
you're sensitive to what's going on
you're very modest about it you just do
what you do
and i remember you gave me a hard time
because i want to talk about all the
things you do
and for you it's just doing the work and
and and letting other people which is
biblical let other people speak of that
but but you're you're sensitized to to
what's happening
and how you see it i don't want to pull
you into a political conversation uh
but i i'm sure that there's something
different about what's going on now
as opposed to what was going on back in
the 60s
what do you see is different
well i'm 65 not not 15.
you know that's different uh i i'm
i'm i'm looking at it from a different
perspective
uh some of the underlying issues
obviously
are still the same uh the platforms that
that young people
or people have now to express their
opinions are obviously
uh there's some so many more of them and
and there's so much more of an
opportunity
in in in a sense martin luther king's
the part of martin luther king's dream
has come true
you know he talked about young black
boys i forgot to quote exactly young
black people black and whites walking
here well that's actually the case
they all work hand in hand they are
walking down the streets by the
thousands tens of thousands if not
hundreds of thousands
they are not yet singing free at last we
had last night got the money and freed
last because they're not
but they are together uh so he was
and is a it is changing we are in the
middle of it where it's going to go
we will see you know but this is where
we are now
and i'm empowered and inspired by the uh
young people black white
male or female wow you know it it's
interesting i hear
more and more high-profile people who
are
in our age range saying the same thing
that the young people are driving
they're happy to be in in the back seat
and kind of
share some wisdom with them as they
supply the fervor and the passion
i want to refer back and not just go
ahead
you know because when when when it's all
said and done you know
what are the programs uh moving forward
uh
uh you know where how do we
activate what we've talked about and
expressed our feelings about and
complained about and protest about
you know what how do we where's the
development to quote someone
uh i know one of the six approaches yeah
yeah what
what were the six uh uh uh uh well you
got prayer you got advocacy
you got activism broken protests we've
got convening
and development oh convening oh okay i
left that one out and development
so when when it's all said and done what
what are we gonna do
you know how do we activate it what
what's the plan now referring back to
the film because of the time
it was in your life you personally were
facing
uh some issues at the time that you were
making the film right
because i believe your dad passed at the
time
uh yeah my father passed away during
that time
uh we uh experienced some of the things
i guess that uh
malcolm x and some of them had to go
through you know with tremendous amount
of death threats and you know was the
first time i had
security around the clock and all those
kind of things
why is that your father's a preacher
people some people may not know
your father was a a pastor correct right
right
why is that what now uh yeah well why
was that kind of thing happening with
him
why was what kind of thing happening
yeah with your father all right
at the time of his passing you were you
were making the film
right right was that a critical loss
what what was the kind of relationship
that you had with your dad
well he he was
he was he had a massive stroke so he
was alive but not living for
a long period of time during that time
so we would
uh uh and i don't have my dates exactly
right but we were
more or less keeping him alive uh
you know the the doctors were in fact i
i pulled the plug
i was asked you know to pull the plug on
my father so i did
wow wow that's you you you say that
but i don't think it was that easy
i haven't talked about it probably until
this point not never never
publicly it's not i mean that's just the
way it was
wow wow wow what what did he do for your
life i mean
what how did he inform who you are as a
person how did he shape who you are as a
person
my father was a a gentle man
a man of god was saved sanctified and
filled with the holy ghost
a a long-standing elder member of the
church and
he was all spirit i mean he was all
spirit he
speak in tongues at the drop of a hat
and love the saint and love my wife
pauletta
you know they would sing together and he
he
let him play the piano and he'd sing or
he played a piano and singing so he was
just a
a really gentle uh human being
you gave your life to christ at what age
well a couple of three times you know
this is it then i was like and this is
i'm laughing but
i was filled with the holy ghost and it
scared me
i said wait a minute i ain't to go this
deep you know i
want to party you know so in in fact in
in in bishop blake's church west angeles
church of god in christ
uh in 1981 or 82 robert townsend
took me yeah i went to church robert
townsend and
when it came time to come down to the
altar i said you know
this time i'm just going to go down
there and give it up
and see what happens and i went in the
prayer room and gave it up
and let go and experience something i've
never experienced in my life
and i i remember calling my mother
afterwards and asking about i said well
you know it felt like i was going up in
the air and my cheeks were filled and
she said oh no that's the devil you
purging
i said yeah yeah my feelings but it was
it was it was a it was a a supernatural
if not once in a lifetime experience
once in this lifetime experience
that i couldn't completely understand at
the time
it's amazing how god will give you an
indelible
mark in terms of an experience that no
matter
how much you may stray away from or
deviate from
you never forget that moment the power
of that moment you and i when we're at
lunch you were telling me
like it happened to you the day before
we went to lunch
right it was still so real and so
powerful and that kept you somewhat
grounded as you were exposed to other
things correct
in spite of myself it kept me grounded
in spite of myself i i mean i i
accepted it i definitely experienced it
but i wasn't ready to live it ah i
wasn't ready to live it
uh that was 90 i don't know how old i
was then but i wasn't ready to live it
then
and and i'm i'm sure i'm not the only
one who's
obviously not the only one who's going
through that kind of experience so right
so i had i had to go through all of that
and and
and you know i remember my mother saying
to me
she says you know denzel you you do a
lot of good
but it's time for you to do good the
right way
and she said and you know what i'm
talking about she said you know you
can't buy your way into heaven
i'm trying to but i have you know i'm a
giver i always have been helped build
a lot of things but i never forgot that
and i knew
you know on my journey and we all have
our individual journeys that
i wasn't where i needed to be yet but i
knew i was on the right track
and and even before
that day you know my own search
through books like sid arthur herman
hess
affected me tremendously in in my youth
and the bible did and
so you you you you have that
that moment that not from the horse
moment if you will
but it doesn't mean that the rest of
your life is gonna go the way it should
you know it's not like oh
i had this moment i'm filled with the
holy spirit and everything's gonna be
great yeah yeah you never figured out
boy
and you know and you know this because
i'm a witness the next day i'm ready to
save everybody
yeah you know i'm in charge of saving
people you know
so i i i'm guilty i'm guilty of a few
spiritual muggings back in my early days
myself so yeah i'm going to use that
spirit
because for me jesus well you know
church of god in christ and in those
those days for me i got saved in the mid
70s
you know jesus was coming back in two
weeks so right it was about getting
everybody saved because you want to go
to heaven with you
but then you realize no you've got a
life to live out
and you have to deal with this tension
between
the the lower self that you're familiar
with
and the higher self in the image of god
that the holy spirit is trying to
bring you in conformity too and that's
not an easy
task you you've had prophetic utterance
over your life
right you're the stage in your life
where you've done so much
you've lived so much incredibly
successful man as the world
judges success all right but there was a
prophetic word
that was spoken over you and you're kind
of
fulfilling that prophecy now tell us
about that word
uh uh ruth green was a a
woman who was known to have the gift of
prophecy she she lived in mount vernon
where i grew up
and she was uh uh she she came to my
mother did her hair
so she was in the beauty shop uh when i
was sitting in there having been kicked
out of school
and out of college and she said that she
said boy
she said first of all somebody give me a
piece of paper and she wrote down the
word prophecy she misspelled it and my
mother
wrote it down that she just said that
you know well you're gonna travel the
world and and preach to millions of
people
and i i had a 1.7 grade point average i
flunked out of college i'm like well i'm
not even in school i don't you know
do you see anything in your crystal ball
about me getting back
uh when i look at it now
i have traveled the world if if you
you know i don't even like to talk about
it but they're they're they're
they're there are speeches or things
i've done online and there are millions
of viewers that
so so in that regard what she said has
come to pass
and but it's really about this point
moving forward i'm going to tell it
because remember you and i had a
conversation
what was it 40 minutes or so we were on
the phone saturday morning a few weeks
ago
right and you express your reluctance to
to talk about all that you do and just
to live it to do it
but i told you that i was going to tell
it and people have no idea
um i'm telling all of you that are
joining us in this conversation you have
no idea
how this man has spent the last 30 years
of his life
regardless of his own personal journey
and ups and downs
but he has consistently followed
that part of his to give to do for those
who are less fortunate
uh i'm not going to get into i don't
embarrass him
embarrass him but he is the reason why
individuals have finished college food
has been distributed
on and on and on and i love that about
him it's about
doing the work in the book of james says
blessed are those who don't just hear
the word
but do the work well let me let me add
this to that
okay you i remember coming home
uh into my mother's beauty shop and i
had had a small amount of success
i said ma did you ever think you know
look at me and she said boy
you don't know how many people been
praying for you
you know so i have been prayed for
and supported by uh uh many people but
specifically by
my mother in those days by my wife now
and for a long time
you know so i've been uh
protected uh there's been a a
a hedge around me if you will and and
and a legion of uh
prayer prayers and and people who pray
for me
well i understand i appreciate that
because when i was in the hospital with
corporate 19
i appreciate you globally how many
people were praying for me being that
close to the edge so
i hear you and and you know what i i
would think that that's some of the
explanation besides your own choices
and your own perspective on life and
world view
but i think that's also some of what
protected you
from what happens in hollywood here you
are
your family your wife you're celebrating
years
of marriage and you know every marriage
goes through its changes
i mean now we married for 50 years in
2022
and we had our ups and downs and our
challenges but we remain
faithful to the covenant families still
intact
and and and here you are in spite of
you know what happens in hollywood so
many relationships
that that break down because of the
success and because of the lifestyles
that
that many live in well
she left the room but you i can thank
her you know pauletta
is largely responsible for that
and and you know we've
i don't know we've just outlasted
everybody else you know
i can't say how many years it's been
because she's only 29. so okay
i'll leave it right there yeah you got
to leave it right there but uh
speaking of which she's walking in the
room now how many years we've been
together for it
see now you're a wise man you asked her
instead of guessing the wrong
number you noticed you didn't hear
anything right
oh she said 43 we've been together 43
and she just said yes sir 43 years there
it is you can bank on that
i'm sure well listen your
your son john david seems to be uh
leaning in the direction of of his dad's
uh
career and i'm sure to have you as a
role model because we we all need models
and and the thing about it is fathers we
are imperfect
models and over time our children see
through our imperfections and see the
value
of what we did bring to the table i'm
sure
that that makes you proud that he's even
thinking of going into that
that direction yes well you you spoke
with him the other day
uh uh uh and he's a very very
talented and very spiritual young man
i'm i as i know pauletta we're we're
happy about his success
but we're as equally as happy about the
example he's setting for his brothers
and
and his sisters uh as a man of god and
and as obviously their sibling and just
being example for them and and being
unashamed of it
and uh so i'm i'm happy about that i
know paul little
letters as well well you say you're
happy but i remember
getting a call on a sunday right i was
in a meeting with the police
commissioner
in new york city and i get this call
it's you and i said okay
let me let me see how my brother's doing
make sure he's okay
and you were pumped because
he had experienced what you experienced
in terms of encountering the holy spirit
on a very deep level and i will tell you
you know that is an expression of what
you value most right a man is
accomplished
as you but his son being filled with the
holy spirit his son
experiencing that same power of god
that meant more to you than all the
other stuff
well you know there's an old saying you
never see a u-haul behind a hearse
amen you can't take it with you the
egyptians tried it all they got was
robbed
so i don't put the value in
monetary and and all of those things
you know that what happened
with one of our sons and that we pray
happens for all of our children
that's that's where it's at i mean i've
tried everything else
and then pay off a lot of a better word
you i won't even ask you the typical
questions that interviews
ask and really this is a conversation uh
i love and respect you um there have
been times
when we talk about what's most important
most valuable
that you've been in church and you'll
lean over and you'll share something
with me
and it blows me away because i'm saying
here's a man
that has accomplished so much
and loved by people around the world of
every class
ethnicity race culture doesn't matter
and yet he whispers in my ear
a very important accomplishment to him
that others would say well
that's no big deal but it again it puts
in light in your priorities what's
really important to you in life
and some people denzel have not gotten
there you know it's still the external
stuff
not the internal that is most important
to them
well that you know you still you go
through
what you think is going to make you
happy
in search of what actually will make you
happy yeah and and that's each person's
journey is is
is is different you know we've been
blessed with everything you can have
materially and that what i've learned
doesn't
doesn't do it you know we we we've been
blessed with health we've been blessed
with the
a loving family and beautiful the things
that we've been blessed with
are so simple and and and and profound
and
and enduring you know the the money and
the fame yeah i guess it's easier for me
to say because i
i've experienced it but uh
but but those are the important things
for me
as there's anything coveted 19 has done
is show us how much we can live without
yeah yeah well and you know maybe
i dare say a blessing in disguise i i
know we
have been forced to deal with each other
yeah you know sit in the house and
and like oh you know you know so so i
think it's a
in that regard i mean we're not making
light of obviously all the
the lives of the lost and families that
are
are hurt but uh god is sending us a
message
you know and it's it's a fascinating uh
one-two punch we've had
so far right this year it's still june
right the lord knows where we're headed
and only god knows where we're headed so
you we we're being forced to deal
with powers higher than ourselves
whether we like it
or not we better open our eyes and look
at the reality of what's going on
amen it's not a joke yeah the scripture
says be still and know that i'm god
and if anything covet has forced us to
be still
and listen in ways that we have not i
hope so
it makes a lot of us scramble more you
know yeah yeah
some some people be still and not just
run around in circles and run into the
wall and
you know exhaust themselves but uh we
have to deal with it it's dealing with
us
well i will tell you and i've been
privileged to
be invited into a pastoral space in your
life
i i appreciate that i i
i honor that and respect that space that
you've allowed me to enter in your life
and in your heart and your family
uh and out of that i say i'm proud of
you
and how you have navigated the man that
you
uh have become and the fact that you are
using
your platforms unapologetically to
identify
with your faith but to identify with
wisdom
and and and live a life like i said the
good man
who leads an inheritance to his
children's children leaving
not just material legacy but
spiritual inheritance intellectual
inheritance emotional
uh and motivational inheritance by
making better choices
and that means more than anything else
in the world
so thank you for who you are denzel and
joining me
uh for this half an hour of conversation
i hope we can
do it again in the future and i hope
you've been blessed by it i know
i'm just looking at all the comments
people
need models that they can look up to in
life
to say that we're not the exception to
the rule
but men like you and i are the rule
this is i think i just
want to be in that number
when the saints go marching in that's
what i want
it i i don't care where i am in that
number
in that line i didn't say i want to be
first last in the middle
i i i know i won't be alone but i
i want more than anything else in my
life
to be in that number amen my brother
that's now it's time for the benediction
i love you brother thank you so much for
joining in and we'll talk
again soon all right thank you all right
god bless
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