Sly Stallone & Frank Shelton - 9/13/85

TOE TO TOE – Stallone & Frank, Los Angeles, CA

 

It was 25 years ago today, Sept 13, 1985 that my godmother, Judy Henderson and I had the privilege to fly from Washington, DC to Los Angeles, CA to meet my favorite Hollywood action star, Sylvester Stallone. Judy and I both had seen RAMBO: First Blood Part II and we at different times at different theaters ironically each entered a contest to meet the cast on an “all-expenses” paid trip to Los Angeles, CA. When I found out we both entered we agreed that should either of us win we would take the other. I was not sharp in math but I do know that TWO chances are better than one!

Some don’t believe in a “Fairy Godmother” but I do because Judy won, honored her end of the deal and took me as her guest. Judy was also instrumental in leading my mother to the Lord the year I was born in 1972 and Judy was also involved with Campus Crusades for Christ. When we learned we won we were elated to say the least. Most couldn’t believe it and some said these things were not supposed to happen. Especially, to a freckled faced kid named “Frankie” all the way on the other side of the country but God blessed me early on with a “child-like faith.” A couple weeks leading up to our trip to Hollywood a wide range of emotions smashed in my head like waves crashing against rocks at sea. We both knew it was no accident that we won this trip and only 15 winners across America were picked and Judy was the Washington, DC winner! Go God!! Each winner could bring a guest and here I am starting eighth grade and now on a flight to LA LA Land.  I could hear the theme to the Jefferson’s TV Show: “MOVING ON UP!”

Judy bought a black Bible at a local Christian bookstore and had Sylvester Stallone’s name engraved in gold. I spent a month drawing Mr. Stallone a “RAMBO” picture and on the back put Bible passages outlining the “Romans Road” how he too (if he hadn’t already) could know for sure that Heaven could be his Home. On that flight over there Satan was teasing and tempting me for six hours straight not to share God’s love and Word with him. Satan was hinting: “Don’t give it to him, he doesn’t need it, he won’t want it, he may be offended, you will make a scene, who do you think you are? Don’t be religious, etc.”

I was so tempted to take the easy route and just hold back but I knew God honored me with a divine appointment and God did His part and now I had to do mine. Some suggest that “Dreams Don’t Come True” but God has showed me over and over “All things are possible to him who believes.” Plus, “without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God.”  A quarter century today we arrived in L.A., checked in our amazing hotel in Bel Air Sands (just outside of Beverly Hills) riddled with Rolls Royces in the parking lot and boarded a tour bus later that evening to MGM Studios on Friday the 13th! Pulling in the studio lot I recall seeing Victoria Principal from the tv hit: “DALLAS” just leaving in her brand new Mercedes convertible. Even as a 13 year old kid, I didn’t miss much details when it came to people. We were escorted into a room inside MGM and began to intermingle with all the other winners across the Country. Officials just informed us that Stallone was upstairs watching the final screening of ROCKY IV that would be released world-wide on November 22, 1985 and would be done shortly.

Twenty minutes later a couple bodyguards walked in and Stallone waltzed in wearing a then popular Miami Vice outfit, silk suit, t-shirt and $3,000 aligator boots and graciously interacted with each person, signed autographs and took pictures. I was not only the youngest on the trip but the last in line to meet him and by God’s grace, Judy gave him the Bible and I presented him my artwork, testimony and Scripture. Talk about “David vs Goliath” it was me vs Rambo! I also asked him what did he think of the not yet released ROCKY IV? He replied in his famous slurred speech: “I think it will do pretty good.” Pretty good – It did $158 million in the box office in 1985!

Judy has been a great influence on my life spiritually and she also gave Elvis Presley “in person” a Bible in Los Angeles a decade earlier. Between her contacts and my interaction with others at one time right after high school I had such a burden for Hollywood that I almost moved to California “by faith” to begin a ministry to celebrities. I have always said: “Even our heroes need Jesus.” We would be pointing “stars” to the Son.

Ironically, 20 years later I was invited to be an “extra” in the final fight scene of ROCKY BALBOA filmed at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas in 2005. It was a treat to reunite with him almost exactly two decades later. In 2008, friends invited Ruth and I to a luncheon in Beverly Hills, CA hosted by Jennifer Flavin-Stallone (Sly’s wife) and Stallone came to that and its been exciting to see him up close three times in the last three decades. What I love about the ROCKY character is that he was patriotic, persevering and prayed before every fight. Evangelist Billy Graham said the highlight of his youth was shaking hands as a kid with Babe Ruth. He went on to note that after that moment he began to think: “Truly, with God ALL things are possible.” God used him to go on as an adult to befriend a dozen United States Presidents but perhaps meeting his hero at such a young age prepared him to interact with others as an adult with such ease and grace. God truly is the “Author and Finisher of our faith” and He does order our steps and when we delight ourselves in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our heart.

A couple years ago, I was watching tv and Stallone said: “The church is the gym to the soul. At one time, I used to train alone but today, Jesus Christ is my personal trainer.”  Tears ran down my face to hear that one of my earthly “heroes” was now a kid of The King! Praise God for the privilege to sow seeds and see souls saved. Regardless, if rich or poor, black or white, Republican or Democrat, atheist or believer we resemble pawns on God’s chess board and when He moves us we must be prayed up, prepared for our next assignment as He strategically positions us to interact with people. I was taught early in life – if you reach out to the folks nobody wants to know then eventually you will be placed before the folks everyone wants to know. Ruth and I may never have a home in Malibu overlooking the Pacific Ocean nor countless funds in the money market or eleven exotic cars parked out front sitting next to a water fountain that dances to music but by grace will die a very rich man because of my faith in Christ and the privilege to befriend others. Presidents, Professional athletes, preachers, Prime Ministers to paupers all have one thing in common. They’re people created in God’s image and ALL need a saving relationship with Christ as Lord of their lives.

Jesus is the God of second and third chances, U-Turns and to retake exams previously failed. We are sinners and He is the Savior. Looking back, had I compromised and dropped the ball with sharing my faith in Jesus with Sylvester Stallone then I wonder would I have been as passionate today a quarter of century later trying to lead the lost to my Lord?  Sadly, some in ministry elect to water down the Gospel, preach an entire message without Bible references and settle for tickling ears opposed to touch hearts and transform minds. When David slew Goliath he didn’t win that day but years before in preparation getting skilled with his slingshot against other foes on the back lot of that battlefield. By God’s grace, we didn’t compromise or falter as a teen with one of the “top five” most recognized men in the world today worth $3 Billion dollars but now regardless, if speaking to a mini-stadium, world-wide tv, a dozen teens in Des Moines, Iowa or one on one in the street; my prayerful desire is to still preach only the rich, red blood of Jesus that cleanses from sin and JESUS still SAVES!

Today, I thank God for Judy Henderson who led my mother to the Lord and took me to Hollywood, CA. For a kid, it really was a dream come true. I thank God for Jesus and the privilege to be part of His Kingdom Building Work and a family who taught me to honor God, humility in the presence of worldly power, hardwork, perseverance, people skills and to do our best for God’s glory. Life resembles Sly’s iconic character. Like life, I like ROCKY ROAD ice cream and our lives are on a road littered with many rocks. But with each twist brings patience, each turn builds perseverance and every tragedy promotes prayer and triumph the promise of a better day. Life has its ups and downs and we need to stay focused, faithful and follow-through with the task He entrusted us. Since meeting Stallone I have had some mountain top highs and deep dark lows but what keeps me going is not my road that led me to Rocky in 1985, but when I met the Rock (Jesus) in 1979. By God’s grace, I can continue to march on en route to my Heavenly Home. May we all keep praying, pushing and in the wise words of Sylvester Stallone: “Keep Punching!”