STALLONE

Everything I'm about to say is completely, 1,000%, absolutely true.  There is not one speck of embellishment in this post, I promise you.

I'm in New Orleans waiting for our Journey Ministry College students as they prepare to do some street evangelism for Mardi Gras this next week.  (Pray for them.)  I've flown down while those poor souls have to drive, so I've beat them here by several hours.  Perks.

We're staying several miles away from all the main action, which is a good thing.

So I get picked up by the van that transports me to the hotel.  When we pull up, the whole front of the hotel is swathed in big-time lights, cameras, huge white drops, etc.  We're told we can't go inside just yet.  We have to wait for a 'cut' in the filming before we can enter the hotel lobby to check-in.

Evidently Robert DeNiro, Kim Basinger and Sylvester Stallone are all inside the lobby filming for a new, upcoming movie - right here at our hotel in New Orleans - right now - this minute - while I'm standing outside.

It's just ME by myself who has been transported in the van to the hotel, so I'm standing outside with the manager and one of the movie crew members who are instructed to hold arriving guests outside until there is a break in the action inside.  So we wait.  Not long.  A few short minutes.

Suddenly we get the word that they've stopped filming momentarily and they practically pick me up by both elbows and whisk me inside (I said 'practically' - remember, there is no embellishment in this piece) - just like a real VIP.

As I look over to my right I see Sly (that's what we call him) and Kimmie (same thing).  In the flesh.  Awesome.  I try not to stare, unsuccessfully.  I don't see 'Bob' anywhere.

I'm escorted to the check-in desk where they start my process of check-in.  A member of the film crew comes over and tells the hotel manager they're ready to roll again - but I haven't finished checking in yet.  The manager says to the crew member: 'You'll have to wait.  This gentleman is going to check in and then you can resume.'

Awkward.  So they check me in in what, honestly, is the fastest check-in I've ever experienced in my life - literally 30 seconds - maybe less.  I turn around in the lobby with my room key and notice the entire film crew, including Sly and Kimmie, are all just looking at me - maybe 40 people --- camera men, lighting people, grips, crew, including the two stars --- were just staring at me, not meanly or with irritation, but waiting for me to finish my business and walk off the set --- 40 people, including Sly & Kimmie (I know I said that already, but I think it bears repeating).

I was holding up their movie.  So I looked and gave a suave 'nod' their direction.  I thought they might ask me to be in the movie -- but -- they didn't.

As I get in the glass elevator and ride up, I look down over the lobby on the scene as it unfolds with Sly and Kimmie doing their thing.  I'll be seeing that movie when it comes out.

This one is going to go down in my personal record books.

And be blessed.