The favorite part of my workout at the "Y" is the time at the end of the workout. After the stairclimber, after the treadmill, elliptical, and weight machines - after the swimming, then comes the sauna. One-hundred eighty five-plus degrees of dry, nose-tingling heat for as long as I can stand it - then a quick dousing under cold water, and back to the sauna again - to be repeated as often as I can, for as long as I can.

In the 18 months or so that I have been using this routine I have met some very interesting people in the sauna, and have even had the privilege, more than once, to share my faith in Christ, and to pray with several for different needs in their lives. The conversations usually get interesting when there is a realization that I am a minister.

 I have come to recognize these opportunities are really answers to my prayers; for I have prayed that God would give me opportunities to share what Jesus has done in my life, and what He means to me, with people who do not know Him, and may have negative thoughts and feelings toward Christianity.

  I guess you could say that the sauna proved to be an answer to my prayer - what a great life!