Monthly Archives: July 2012

A New Superman?

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
A NEW SUPERMAN?
© NaimaLett.com/blog


Man of Steel © Warner Brothers, DC Comics

Looks like Spidey isn’t the only one getting a complete makeover!

The new Superman reboot, Man of Steel, was all the buzz at this year’s Comic-Con festival in San Diego over the weekend.

The new Super is Emmy Award-winning British actor Henry Cavill, star of Showtime’s The Tudors, who joins fellow Brits – Batman‘s Christian Bale and Spider-Man‘s Andrew Garfield – as America’s foremost superheroes.

Batman/Dark Knight‘s writer/director, Christopher Nolan, is responsible for the story. 300‘s director, Zack Snyder, is running the show. Russel Crowe, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne round out the cast.

Zack, the director, is quoted as saying they wanted to humanize Superman and make him more relatable in this reboot.

Henry, the actor, says “I just wanted to bring Superman into the modern world. Hopefully I bring a version that everyone can relate to.”

Here’s my question:
Do we need a more humanized, relatable Superman?

We like Superman because he is, well, S-U-P-E-R.
We want to see him be “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound”.
We like his super strength and super senses including super hearing, super x-ray vision, super breath! We want Superman to super fly! Fly!

The story of one of the creators of Superman, Jerry Siegel, is told in a way that says he created the bulletproof hero after his immigrant, store-owning father died in 1932 during a robbery attempt in Cleveland. Siegel and his partner developed a hero who essentially defied death (unless Kryptonite was near) and who would seek justice and keep the bad guys at bay.

But maybe Zack and Henry have a point.
Maybe our super heroes need more humanity???

Isn’t that what Jesus did?
Being God, He became human.

Paul breaks it down in his letter to the Philippians.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried— will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Jesus became human for our sakes and He saved our lives.
Maybe a more humanized Superman will be good for our sakes too? I don’t know????

We’ll have to see.
Right now, all we have is a brief trailer and interview from Comic Con.
I’ll keep you posted,
Naima

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Good Hunger

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
GOOD HUNGER
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© Hungry (Falling On My Knees), Kathryn Scott, source

Good hunger.
Is there such a thing?

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of hunger.
I’m vegetarian + seafood, and I can eat.

And I do eat. Responsibly, of course.
With optimum health as my top priority.
Great food and I see eye to eye.

So, last week, when my husband Kevin (who has the culinary skills to win Top Chef) explained our closing worship song would be Hungry by Kathryn Scott, I paused and thought, “OK.”

Do we really want to sing about hunger? At the end of service? Before lunch?

But the song was absolutely wonderful. One of our worship singers – musical actress and model – Laurine Price – beautifully led us as we lifted up the following verse:

Hungry I come to You
For I know You satisfy
I am empty but I know
Your love does not run dry
So I wait for You

This was a good hunger.
This was the best hunger.
We were singing about our hunger for God.

Do you remember Jesus’ sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes?
Matthew 5:1-12
Verse 6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

We all have a physical hunger for food.
But apparently, we have a spiritual hunger too.
And Jesus says when we hunger and thirst for His righteousness, we will be filled.

It’s Monday, Fam.
It’s a new week.
Let’s be hungry and thirsty this week in the best way: for God and His righteousness.
Let’s wait on Him to fill us spiritually.

I’ll eat to that :=),
Naima

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Friday the 13th’s Light

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
FRIDAY THE 13TH’S LIGHT
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© LarParkLincoln.com

I’m not superstitious…
Neither do I frequent horror films.

So, I’m one of the few who has never seen any 1 of the 12 Friday the 13th movies from 1980 – 2009. They’re horror films starring a mass murderer based on superstition. Not my thing.

But a few years ago, I met one of the franchise’s stars, the incredible Lar Park Lincoln, and today, I count Lar as a dear friend.

Lar played Tina Shepard, a telekinetic, psychic 20-year old who fights off mass murderer Jason in Friday the 13th, Part VII. Again, I haven’t seen it, but I assume Tina beats Jason in the end. After all, the poster reads, “On Friday the 13th, Jason is back. But this time, someone’s waiting.”

Whatever Tina/Lar does to stop Jason, however, is not long term. In the next movie, Friday the 13th Part VIII, Jason Takes Manhattan. The one after that he goes to Hell. I’m not sure why he doesn’t stay, as he would if it were real. But it’s a movie and he’s back for #10.

It’s all very dark, I know.
But I don’t want to dwell on the dark.
I want to talk about the light! Lar’s light!

When you meet Lar, she shines.
Her smile is genuine. Her life is real.

You may remember her roles on Knots Landing, Beverly Hills 90210, Children of the Night, The Princess Academy and Lifetime’s Inspector Mom.

In her new book, Get Started, Not Scammed, Lar describes defining her destiny in elementary school. When asked to write an essay on what she would be, she responded “I will be an actress, a writer, and a teacher.” Her pint-sized classmates laughed, but with a 30+ year career in “The Biz”, Lar can say that she has reached all three of those goals.

I am most proud of Lar for her tenacity. She’s a fighter, and she doesn’t give up. When faced with an obstacle, she figures out another way.

Lar frequently talks about when her precious husband passed from cancer after 14 years of marriage. She didn’t give up. As a single mom, she moved her children from LaLa Land to Texas and raised them beautifully. She also added successful celebrity QVC guest host and talk show extraordinaire to her loaded resume, landing spots on Oprah, Entertainment Tonight and 60 Minutes.

When she battled her own bout with cancer, Lar did what many celebrities wouldn’t do. She talked about it. She shaved her head and took an incredibly inspiring photo. She also donned a sword in a spread for one of famed photographer Mary Ann Halpin’s Fearless Women books.

Having gone through our own journey with cancer, my husband and I personally know that every day doesn’t feel like a fighter’s day, and I’m sure there were days when Lar didn’t feel like a champion. But, she sure was a champion to us.

Lar’s light didn’t dim. She was refreshingly honest. Through ups and downs, she revealed the truth of her life. She revealed her faith in God. Isn’t that what being light is all about?

Jesus describes his disciples as the light of the world. I quote this scripture often when sharing with artists, so many of you may be familiar with it by now.

MATTHEW 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We see you, Lar.
We see you letting your light and testimony shine before others that they may see all that you do for people and glorify your Father in heaven.

You’re Friday the 13th’s light, friend.
Whenever this day rolls around, once or twice a year (or 3 times like this year), we’ll think of you and thank God for your life and your willingness to shine.

What about us, Fam?
Can we think of ways to let our lights shine this Friday the 13th so that people see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven?
Let’s do it!

Shine, Fam.
Go forth!
Naima

Know anybody who’s letting their light shine?
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Ace Your Test

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
ACE YOUR TEST
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© photo source

Life is full of tests.
And the secret to acing our test with an A+ is to first know that it IS a test.

Perfect example:

One of our HOPE board members, Rasheed M. McWilliams, Esq., recently made Partner at his law firm. (Mad congratulations!) But before this advancement, he passed years and years of tests: Morehouse College, New York University School of Law, New York State Bar Exam, Georgia State Bar Exam, California State Bar Exam. Tests, tests, tests! Do you know how many cases he’s had to help win (A+)? How many clients he’s had to satisfy (A+)? How many dues he’s had to pay along the way while still walking in integrity and excellence (A+)?

He’s passed each test because
1) he knew he was being tested and
2) he prepared.
He studied. He researched. Then, he aced his exams.

Fam, what life test are you facing?
Have you even acknowledged that you’re in a test?
Have you prepared? Have you looked at how others passed before you?

Last Sunday, we continued our What’s Taking So Long? series.
I summed up Part I in the blog, What’s Taking so Long?, in which we learn that sometimes the answers we are waiting for are caught up in a spiritual battle (Daniel 10).

Part II of what could take so long for us to receive what we are asking of God is that we could be smack dead in the middle of a test.

That’s what happens to God’s people in the wilderness. When they arrive at the Promise Land, Moses explains what they’ve been through over the last 40 years of wandering around the desert. He says God allowed them to be tested… to know what was in their hearts.

DEUTERONOMY 8
Excerpt:
2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you… 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

The Lord tests His children to see what’s in their hearts and to see if they will follow His commands. He humbles and allows them to be crushed so that “in the end, it might go well with you”. The crushing isn’t to take them out, but to prepare them for the resources to come. Then, when they enter into the Promise Land and make themselves wealthy, they will attribute their success to God, not their own hands.

Do we know that we’re in a test?
Could our dreams be slightly out of reach because the Lord is allowing us to know what’s in our hearts before we get there and giving us time to work it out?

If He gave us the Academy Award, Emmy Award, Tony Award, Grammy Award today, would we give Him glory or bow down and worship the statue?

If He gave us the multi-million dollar contract today, would we handle it wisely or squander it? USA Today did an article a few years ago about mega-lottery winners whose millions went bust. Here’s the key, if we have difficulty managing $10 well, let’s not think we’ll be able to manage $10 million well. The best indication of what we’ll do in the future is what we’ve done in the past.

So, what test have we passed lately?
Are we in one now?

How do we ace the test?
First, know it’s a test. It’s not the end. It’s part of our journey.
Second, prepare! Find out all we can. Get tutoring, if necessary. Make good life decisions. Do the right thing.

Let’s ace our tests, Fam.
Here’s an A+ to encourage you on your path,
Naima

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Common Courtesy Ain’t Common

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
COMMON COURTESY AIN’T COMMON
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© Photo source

Is it me… or does common courtesy seem not so common anymore?

Indulge me for a minute.

I was just ’bout run off the road by a driver who simply HAD to get in front of me even though there were no cars behind me. Huh?

Recently, I was in the security line when an impatient airline traveler became livid when those in front did not appreciate him jumping the line.

While my hair moisturized under the dryer at the beauty salon last week, this joker (who shall remain nameless) just came in and changed the channel on the big screen. Never mind that there were 5 of us, heads wrapped in cellophane, watching the news before you came in the room. Is it so hard to ask, “Does anybody mind if I change the channel?” Common courtesy, right?!

Does this happen everywhere?
Or just in LaLa Land?

I grew up in the South.
We said:
“Please.”
“Thank you.”
“No thank you.”
“Yes & No Sir.”
“Good morning.”
“Good night.”

And “Excuse me”, when we needed to interrupt.

I know times are a’changing, but wouldn’t it be nice if the neighbors thought “It’s a little late to light up the block” when folks start calling it a night? Just saying.

You feel me?
Or are you the neighbor refusing to shut it down before midnight?

Anybody remember the Golden Rule?
I think it would revolutionize our lives if we really took it to heart.

MATTHEW 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Jesus tells His disciples to treat others the way we want to be treated. This comes after He instructs them to ask, knock and seek God for their needs, understanding that our Heavenly Father gives good gifts to those who ask.

So, we are to emulate our Father. He gives good gifts to those who ask. We, too, should treat others well. We should treat them exactly the way we’d want them to treat us.

That means that I can’t boomerang my Kindle across the room at the salon channel-changer, no matter how rude he is. I should treat him how I want to be treated. I can politely say, “Might be nice if you asked before you changed the channel… Common courtesy.”

I can treat my neighbors neighborly, get to the airport early enough not to cause other folks drama, and drive like I’ve got some sense. It helps none of us to internalize the ignorance of others behind the wheel. Besides, dealing with LA drivers keeps my prayer life spicy. How ’bout yours?

We have control over our own actions.
We can treat people with respect.
We can put the gold back in the golden rule.
We can put the common back into common courtesy.

What do you think?
Do-able?
Naima

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Spider-man’s Secret

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
SPIDER-MAN’S SECRET
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© Marvel, Sony Pictures, official site

“Secrets have a cost…”
That’s what Aunt May (portrayed masterfully by 2-time Academy Award winner Sally Field) shares with Peter Parker/Spider-man (reinterpreted by Golden Globe nominee Andrew Garfield.)

I won’t get into all the details of the film, just in case you weren’t one of the moviegoers that pushed this blockbuster to its $140 million US box office victory within the first 6 days of release.

But I will say that a major theme of this Spider-man reboot directed by 37-year old Marc Webb (as reiterated in the video trailer above) is secrets.

Spider-man’s biggest secret is his true identity as Peter Parker, high school geek.

In this new series, Peter designs his Spider-Man mask when he narrowly escapes an opponent who taunts, “I know who you are. I’ve seen your face.”

But this film also deals with all the secrets that have been kept from Spider-Man as well.
Hint: Stay through the end credits.

Secrets shape his life, and as Aunt May says, those secrets have a cost.

Isn’t that the same in our own lives?

SECRETS COST.

Double identities.
Affairs. Cheating. Adultery.
Undisclosed “love children”.
Molestation. Abuse. Incest.
Leaked photos and sex tapes.
Embezzlement. Bribes. Tax evasion.
Misuse of campaign funds.
Hidden addictions: drugs, alcohol, porn.
Jealousy. Envy. Coveting & wanting everybody else’s stuff.
Backstabbing. Lying. Conniving to get ahead in the industry.
The list goes on and on.

The longer the secret is kept, the longer it eats away at our souls.

I have spent the majority of my adult life inviting folks to ditch their harmful secrets and live in the light. As a minister, I have been entrusted to guard people’s confidences while guiding them to truth. I do not take this responsibility and calling lightly. It’s what I do. I lead people to Truth.

My one-woman plays (Shattered Silhouettes, The King’s Family, 3 Marys) all encourage people to live in truth, especially Shattered. My soon-to-be-released book and series, Confessions of a Hollywood Christian, are about guess what? The freedom of living in truth.

You’d think I was pretty passionate about this.

TRUE IDENTITY

The truth about who we really are is paramount.

In Spider-Man/Peter Parker’s case, he is tormented because he cannot reveal who he really is. When he does, people who are close to him can be hurt. And he can be killed.

Thank God we’re not in his predicament.

The very best life we can live is in transparency and fully embracing who we truly are.

When confronted about His true identity in JOHN 8:21-59, Jesus reveals that God is His Father, and He tells those who believe in Him that if they hold to His teaching, they will know the truth which sets them free.

JOHN 8:31-59
Excerpt
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”… 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father (the devil).

If you get a chance, read the rest of that conversation. It brought the house down. By the end, Jesus was headed towards a severe stoning. Good thing it wasn’t His time to go yet.

Jesus says that His followers who stay in His word discover who they really are as His disciples and they know truth that sets free.

Who doesn’t want that freedom?

Take a load off, Fam.
Do you have any secrets you need freedom from today?
Find someone you trust and let go.

There’s no need in donning a mask, especially if its latex. I don’t know how Spidey does it!
Let’s take the masks off and relax.


© Marvel, Sony, The Amazing Spider-Man

Secrets cost.
Let’s stop paying.

We are not Spider-Man.
We don’t have to try to save the world.
We know a Savior who’s doing a slam up job of that already.

Besides, it’s so much easier to live in the light.
I promise,
Naima

Can you let go today?
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Monday Blues Buster

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
MONDAY BLUES BUSTER
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© photo source, Monday Blues

When I saw the picture above depicting “Monday Blues”, I couldn’t help but laugh and want to share it with you. (The picture, that is. Not the blues.)

Isn’t this how some of our weeks start off?

The great thing is we have a choice.
We can stay stuck sucked in the seat or pry our tooshies out and get to moving.
We can stay blue or bust out.

We had such an amazing Sunday service yesterday. I’m still rejoicing.
If I can do anything this Monday, I’d like to pass some of my joy your way.

Need joy?
Need peace?
Need contentment?
Need to know everything’s going to be OK?

I don’t know your specific circumstance, but I do know that Scripture says we don’t have to worry. Instead we can lift up the situations in prayer and thanksgiving and embrace God’s peace. Look at how Paul ends his letter to the Philippians.

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

We can choose joy.
We can choose not to worry.
We can choose peace.
We can think on things that are lovely, true, pure, just.

Let’s bust up Monday blues, Fam.
Let’s turn our blue into a sunshine gold.

I’m not saying pretend that things are great if they aren’t. If life is painful right now, we can acknowledge the pain, and still choose to embrace God’s peace.

Paul wrote the words above in a letter from prison, facing imminent death. If he can say “Rejoice” while on death row, we can at least give joy the benefit of the doubt.

And if there’s depression and/or a medical condition, this is a great time to seek professional help. No need to keep embracing the blues. There are trained medical professionals whose job it is to help you get better. Choose to make your life better today for you and the ones who love you.

If you’ve got a case of the Monday blues, bust out.
If you don’t, share your joy with someone else today.

Go forth,
Naima

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Keeping Up with Kulture

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
KEEPING UP WITH KULTURE
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© photo source, 3-D concert film “Katy Perry: Part of Me”

Bump Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
I’m having a hard enough time this week trying to Keep Up with Kulture (Culture)!

What a week, right?!

A CNN anchor and hip hop artist both ‘came out the closet’ to lots of fanfare, a Hollywood A-Lister turned 50 and was served divorce papers, and America’s pop-princess-former-pastors’-kid, famous for her cupcake bras, released a 3D concert movie highlighting her supersonic rise and marriage’s fall. (pictured above)

You keeping up?

Did you experience the BET Awards? I had a momentary crisis at the beginning of the awards. Honestly. I thought, “Who is that?”. I confess. This self-appointed researcher and explorer of all things Hollywood had no idea!

As the first artists flooded the BET stage and aimlessly milled around huffing profanities and posturing to a beat with no real musicianship or star power, I looked at the screen like, “Uh, oh.”

And by the time the group’s star, whom we all know, took the stage and proclaimed himself as God and likened his success to parting the Red Sea, I said out loud, “We’re in trouble.”

But nobody blinked. Everyone applauded. They called it the New God Flow. Then awarded him with the first trophy of the night.

This is where Kulture needs a good Kicking.

I spend a LOT of time meeting artists exactly where they are. I have a LOT of empathy. I get it. We’re all in different places. We all have different beliefs. But you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that you have Krossed The Line to call yourself God, and believe it to be true!

You make a sun rise this morning?
You keep the Pacific Ocean at bay?
You create a life today? Yesterday?
You keep the earth spinning on its axis?
Cause planets not to collide into one another?
Heal my husband of cancer?
Allow the hit-and-run driver to only take my car, not my life?!

If the answer to any of these questions is “No!”, then I’m sorry, you are not God.

DANIEL 4 recounts the story of a powerful king who thought himself to be God. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a dream and Daniel interpreted it for him and advised him that if he continued down the path of pride, he would end up eating grass like cattle for 7 years until he recognized the Most High God as the ruler over all mankind. Daniel pleaded with the king:

“Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” Daniel 4:27

You think King Nebby listened?

DANIEL 4:28-37
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” 31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” 33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. 34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever… 36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Look, I don’t wish this story on anybody, especially not our artists.

We are all tempted by pride at one point or another. We are all tempted to think that we have built our own lives and pulled ourselves up by our own bootstraps. We are not immune, so I dare not sit in judgment.

At the same time, LOUD RED SIRENS start going off when one of our creative family climbs up on a stage in front of millions worldwide and proclaims himself to be God and starts promoting a “New God Flow” song as if it’s the same as the Quincy Jones’ produced hit “We Are the World”.

My heart breaks and I am so grieved for you because I see your potential. I know your gifts can be used to add value to young people’s lives instead of pushing lies. I’m a visionary and I see where you could be and wish a very different place for you filled with purpose and peace and joy and true love.

I cannot and will not divorce myself from Kulture.
We cannot run off and create a sub-culture thinking that will solve our issues.
This is the world in which we live. And I love the arts, media, fashion, etc.

But don’t blame me, if from time to time, I take a break.
Yal wearing me out.

‘Cause guess what?!
When you start spouting this kind of nonsense, I go in for you.
I go before the real God, the Most High, and plead for Him to have mercy.
I lift you up, because I figure, you cannot possibly know what you’re doing. You have to be utterly not thinking straight. I plead your cause and ask for time and pray for The Light to illuminate your darkness so that you see The Truth.

Work with me, Fam!
Work with me.

This weekend, I may not Keep up with Kulture.
We’ll see. I might go see the pastors’-kid-turned-pop-princess’ movie.
Or I might just go to the beach and gaze upon the handiwork of the true and living One, the real Creator of the Universe.

Lots of love from LaLa Land,
Naima

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Do What You Can Do

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
DO WHAT YOU CAN DO
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© photo source

“I just need a break!” Frustrated actor exclaimed.
“So, make it happen,” I encouraged.
“You don’t understand,” he insisted.
“Yes I do,” I countered. “That’s why the best advice I can possibly give you is ‘Make it hap!'”

Gone are the days of studios giving actors a “big break”, and then grooming young “Elizabeth Taylors” from child actors to screen super sirens, arranging everything from industry marriages to lucrative endorsement deals, and signing movie contracts for 3- 5 films in advance for millions of dollars a piece.

GONE.

Honestly, I’m not so sure those days ever really existed. What was presented to the public were publicity tales woven of rags-to-riches stories starring artists being discovered at El Pollo Loco one day and making $20 million per film the next. It’s simply not true.

There’s a joke here in Hollywood that it takes 10 working years to become the “next new star”. And actually, for my friends who are stars, that’s true… unless you are the wife/husband/ daughter/son/nephew/niece/daughter-in-law/son-in-law/mistress/boy-toy of someone who can expedite your journey. If you’re working up the ladder, it usually takes about a decade of consistent, relentless working and networking and making others lots of money.

THESE ARE THE DAYS…

These are the days of great opportunity for artist-entrepreneurs and creative visionaries who are willing to hustle and meet people and create fan bases and assemble teams to put together projects that showcase their talent.

Today, the actor/writer/director/producer/singer/songwriter/dancer/artist who works is the one who makes work happen.

I recently saw a YouTube channel dedicated exclusively to introducing new series of famous film actors who are now trying to find work and producing short episodes through the internet to build enough buzz to land television deals for their new series. These are über-famous stars, and they are making work happen. Does not the actor who needs “a break” need to do the same?

There’s A LOT of leg work that goes into actually booking a role for a show that is already created. And I love our studio world, but I also know that I have no control whatsoever of whether or not I will actually book a role that has been created by someone else. There are at least 10 levels of decision makers between me and that series regular role on television.

Both worlds – winning created roles by someone else AND creating winning roles for self – are hard work. Both take time and a considerable amount of effort and drive.

I would be bold enough to say that no working artist today is able to wait for “a break”. The person who waits is the person who is waiting. The person who works is the person who is working.

DO WHAT YOU CAN DO

So, do what you can do.
Figure out your purpose, desires and dreams, put together a plan, and start working.

I love Paul’s testimony to the church at Philippi. When talking about surrendering all of his accolades and worldly success and gains for the sake of Christ, he gives them a little insight to his work ethic. He says that he forgets the past and strains toward his future, pressing toward the goal to win the prize which God called him.

PHILIPPIANS 3: 3-14
Excerpt:
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it [my goal]. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Paul is talking about his calling and faith; but we can glean much from his attitude. Paul does what he can do. He presses toward the goal. He’s not waiting around for someone to come and invite him to do ministry. He goes out and starts churches. He rolls up in the synagogues or street corners and starts preaching. He keeps pastoring and checking on his flocks from prison.

Paul takes his cues from God. Once he knows his calling, he pursues and he doesn’t let up.

Now that doesn’t mean that Paul doesn’t live or have a life. He expresses his joy continuously and he’s always on some adventure or another. He lives life to the fullest knowing that he’s doing what he has been purposed to do.

Whether you’re an artist, professional, stay-at-home parent, or student, today, let’s make a resolution to do what you can do.

I’m not trying to overly simplify and/or make light of the frustration that we can feel. I’m offering a way to focus and begin making sense out of our situations.

One of the things I do very well is help people find their purpose and follow their dreams without losing their faith. Part of that process is identifying what a person can do and encouraging them to do that, instead of worrying about things that are completely out of their hands.

What’s out of our control, let’s let go.
What we can do, let’s do.

In the words attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt (pictured above):
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Go forth, Fam!
Naima

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Happy 4th, Fam!

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
HAPPY 4th, FAM!
© NaimaLett.com/blog


© photo source

Happy 4th, Fam!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with fam, food and fun!
And maybe an Amazing Spiderman or two. :=)


© Marvel, Sony Pictures, official site

Future president, John Adams, wrote about the creation of the Declaration of Independence, that the day “will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Let’s do it, Fam.

In the midst of our pomp and parades, games, fireworks, bonfires and barbecues, let’s remember this as a day of deliverance, and say a very special thank you to God Almighty!

PSALM 107
(Excerpt)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe…
6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress…
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Let’s give thanks!
Have an awesome holiday,
Naima

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