DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Embracing Change or Botox®
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© source

“The only thing that is constant is change…”

This famous quote is attributed to Heraclitus of Ephesus, a Greek philosopher around 500 B.C. After reportedly leaving his wealthy upbringing to rough it in a mountain hut, Heraclitus observed nature and concluded, “Cold things grow hot, the hot cools, the wet dries, the parched moistens”. Everything’s in constant flux.

Obviously, Heraclitus wouldn’t have made it in Hollywood.
First, he walked away from his wealth. What?!
Then, he embraced change. Clutch the pearls!

Faces that Don’t Move

When we first moved to the LaLa, we heard jokes about faces that didn’t move. Then, we started actually seeing them – no wrinkles, no creases, no movement.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m nobody’s judge. I just find it fascinating that there is such an all-out war declared against the inevitable: everyday we get older. Everyday things change.

I used to be able to bust a split like breathing. Now, I’ve got to warm up and dance a few minutes before I even think about it. What about you?

Change is Hard

I get it, Fam. Change is hard.

Our film/TV industry is fighting a losing battle to keep a version of the studio system hobbling along in the face of digital changes that have revolutionized our viewing habits. Instead of learning from the dismantling of the music industry, studio execs are holding on for dear life.

Our government fights it. Our institutions fight it. Our churches fight it. Our relationships fight it. Why don’t we like change? Is it because we don’t want to face the unknown?

Embrace Change

After the great flood, God makes a promise to Noah (and all mankind) in Genesis 8:21-22, “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

God says as long as He keeps this earth rotating, the constant will be change: planting to harvest, cold to hot, summer to winter, day to night. Change. Change. Change. If God promises change, could we do well to embrace it?

When we further search the Scriptures, we find over and over God’s promise of Himself being the Constant. He repeatedly promises to never leave nor forsake His people. The writer of Hebrews 13:5 quotes this very promise of God from Deuteronomy 31:6, and then relates it to God’s Son, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Heb 13:8.

When everything’s in flux around us, as it will be, if we must hold on to anything, let it be the truth that our Savior is the one real constant. Can we find any long lasting security elsewhere? Cause everything else will change. That’s for sure.

There’s Always Botox®

And if for some reason, we still want to fight the inevitable and freeze-frame our faces every six months (I hear that’s how long the injections last), there’s always Botox®. And there are some really cool docs right here in the Hills who’ll give you all the Botulinum toxin you desire.

Did you know that Botulinum toxin causes botulism? Please remind me of this 20 years from now if I start talking about injecting it into my skin to reverse the lines that prove that I’ve lived. Deal? LOL!

But seriously, how are we doing embracing the changes in your life?
I’m finally learning to go with the flow, and that’s a good thing,
Naima

Rev. Naima Lett, D.MIN, ABD
Author of coming release Confessions of a Hollywood Christian

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
The Up-Side of Taxes in Hollywood
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Happy Tax Day? :=)

I don’t know anyone who is actually “happy” about tax day… or about taxes, period.

Yet, we “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” Mark 12:13-17

We understand why we have taxes, but gosh, sometimes I wonder, “Does the government really need 35% of my residual checks?”

The Silver Lining

We look for a silver lining and in Hollywood’s case, we find it in films like this year’s Academy Awarders Silver Linings Playbook, Argo, and Lincoln (above).

These are 3 of the 5 movies (out of 9 Best Picture nominees) that received major tax incentives that helped them film. Forbes reports “Actor-director Ben Affleck and producer George Clooney’s film, Argo, received $6.21 million in tax credits from the California Film Commission. Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln, featuring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, and Tommy Lee Jones, hauled in $3.5 million in tax-free film credits (from Virginia). Silver Linings Playbook bagged $5.6 million (from Pennsylvania).”

Tax Incentives

That doesn’t mean that Silver Linings Playbook received a $5.6 million wad of cash. The way tax credits work is that the production budget is credited back $5.6 million in taxes owed. So, the producers are able to use that $5.6 million elsewhere in the budget, like editing, etc.

40 states (down from 45 in 2011) now offer tax incentive programs to keep film and television production going. While some states have cut their programs back, Georgia and Louisiana still compete to be the hostess with the most-est.

Louisiana offers up to 35% back in tax breaks. The Twilight Saga’s vampires and werewolves really took advantage of these. Georgia offers 30% tax credit. This went to all of Tyler Perry’s films and TV shows as well as to projects like Flight, The Blind Side, Lawless, Parental Guidance, The Walking Dead, Single Ladies, Fast 5, and X-Men: First Class. FULL LIST of tax programs

The Up-Side?

So the up-side, I suppose, is that while the government may take 35% of my acting residual checks in taxes, it is also (in some cases) gives back 35% in tax breaks to bring life to projects I can potentially work on.

I don’t know who I’m trying to convince more, you or me? LOL!
If not a Happy Tax Day, have a Happy Monday.

Lots of love from LaLa Land,
Naima

What do you think? Is there an up-side here?

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Are We “Those People”?
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Are we “those people?”

We’ve all experienced it, haven’t we?
Some of us more than once.
My latest was on yesterday’s flight from the LaLa to Newark.

Those People (in Hollywood)

“What do you do?” asked the Catholic business retiree on his way to tour Israel for 9 days.
“Actor, producer & my husband and I recently founded a church plant in Beverly Hills,” I replied.
“Oh?”
“With artists and professionals. Cool group.”
“They sure do need it.”
“They?”
“Those people… in Hollywood. They sure do need it.”
“Don’t we all?”

Where does a conversation go from there?

Awkward silence…
(in case you were wondering. :=)

How could I have responded, Fam, that allowed for more dialogue? But my question legitimate? Don’t we all need Jesus? Not just “those people” in Hollywood… or wherever “those people” are?

Mary of Magdala

I just finished presenting my drama 3 Marys: A 1-Woman Play for Creative Living at Long Hill Chapel here in NJ, (Thanks a million for the invitation again!) and the last Mary I dramatize was Mary of Magdala. Mary was definitely one of “those people”.

Luke 8:2 says that Mary of Magdala had 7 demons B.C. (Before Christ!) She would’ve absolutely been stigmatized. The religious community definitely would not have approved or wanted her hanging around. Folks that have evil spirits are usually not quiet about it.

But Jesus took the time to heal Mary and then she followed Him and became the first person alive to witness His resurrection. She was entrusted to deliver the good news of His resurrection to His disciples who didn’t believe. If Jesus could take the time to care for “those people”, can’t we, His followers, do the same?

Hollywood Teleseminar

I had a good conversation yesterday with Os Hillman, president of Marketplace Leaders. He invited me to answer the question, “Can Anything Good Come Out of Hollywood?” on our Faith & Hollywood Teleseminar.

On that call, I quoted Bob Briner, author of Roaring Lambs. He said that if Hollywood (or anywhere else) is dark, it’s because the light left. Maybe it was because we started separating ourselves into us versus “those people”.

I encourage us today, Fam, instead of thinking of others as “those people”, let’s see all of us in the same boat. We all need a savior. Thank God for Jesus.

Food for thought.
Have a great weekend,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Film “42” Congrats HU Alum Chad Boseman
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Chadwick Boseman stars as Jackie Robinson in “42”

CONGRATULATIONS…
to fellow Howard University Alum Chadwick “Chad” Boseman for his leading role in the film “42” which opens this weekend.

“42” is about the life of baseball great, Jackie Robinson who integrated Major League Baseball joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

Good Peoples

I am thrilled for Chad, who was a directing major when we were at Howard. He’s been working his way through guest starring acting roles and independent film roles for a few years. Landing this lead opposite Harrison Ford is icing on the cake.

But what I want you to know most is that Chad is what we call “good peoples”. I know that’s not “good English”, but that’s how we describe folks that are truly good-natured. We hit it off because I’m from Georgia and Chad was from South Carolina and he was just “good peoples”. He was cool to everyone.

And Humble

If I had to describe Chad in one word it would be humble. And not like fake humility that we see sometimes. He’s genuinely an humble dude.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:5, Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. That’s what I think about. That’s the kind of humility that Chad models.

Gotta Go

I just wanted to drop you all a line this morning that there are some “good peoples” in Hollywood making good films about subject matter that makes a difference. Go out and support if you can.

I gotta go. They’re telling us to shut off our devices on my flight. Headed to New Jersey for a performance.

Reminder

Remember to tune in later today to the “Can Anything Good Come Out of Hollywood?” Faith & Hollywood Teleseminar that takes place today with me and Os Hillman, Thursday, April 11, 4 PM PT, 7 PM ET.

Looking forward,

Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Anything Good in Hollywood?
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© NaimaLett.com, All rights reserved.

Can anything good come out of Hollywood?

That’s the question Os Hillman, president of Marketplace Leaders asked when naming our Faith & Hollywood Teleseminar that takes place tomorrow, Thursday, April 11, 4 PM PT, 7 PM ET.

Os, author of the new book Change Agent and the creator of the TGIF (Today God Is First) devotional email, read my blog recently and invited me to dialogue with him, his Marketplace Leaders and Change Agent Network about what God is doing in Hollywood.

What Kind of Question?

Honestly, my first response when I received the email announcements with “Can anything good…?” across the top was “What kind of question is this?” LOL!

I would not think to ask that question because I’m living and working and ministering in Hollywood daily to make sure that something good – no, something great – comes out of Hollywood. My husband and I are pouring into artists and professionals and doing life with people who are committed to creating works that are fantastic without compromising our faith. And as LaLa as LaLa Land is, we still love this place and our people. This is it.

Fed Up

I was two seconds from calling and asking “Can we change the title?” when Kevin and I got to talking and realized Os’ intention. Os isn’t asking the question that we in Hollywood ask. Of course we think good things come out of Hollywood. Os is asking the question that his base and others outside of Hollywood are asking.

Who are they?
– concerned parents trying to find appropriate programming for their children
– sports fans hungering for entertaining, yet tasteful, half-time shows
– artists yearning for auditions and work that’s substantial and not demeaning
– professionals who want to unwind after work without being bombarded by soft porn
– folks tired of real housewives, Kardashains and Honey BooBoos
– people of faith who watched History’s The Bible series and wondered where the Bible was
– list goes on an on

Yes!

I feel you. I hear you.
Believe me, I get lots of Facebook posts and Tweets and emails from you expressing your frustration and sometimes I express my own. See The Bible Series: I Tried, Fam.

Still, on tomorrow’s teleseminar call, I’m going to argue Yes, there is some good coming out of Hollywood. God is always at work in the lives of His people, and we’re busy.

Come and See

In John 1:43-46, Jesus calls Philip to follow Him. Philip finds Nathanael to explain that they’ve found the Messiah whom the Law and prophets spoke of, Jesus of Nazareth.

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asks.
“Come and see,” Philip replies.

This is my invitation to you.
If you’ve ever wondered out loud (or under your breath) or you know someone who has asked, “Can anything good come out of Hollywood?”, come and see.

Join us on the call tomorrow.

When you register to get the phone number to call in, Marketplace Leaders site says “Donation of any amount will give you access to the teleseminar. You may adjust amount of donation after you add item to cart.” So, any amount that you can share with their ministry gives you access to the call live and I think the recording thereafter.

I’d love to hear from you!
Folks will have a chance to ask question and dialogue too.

Let’s do this,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Revisiting The Bodyguard
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© Warner Brothers, The Bodyguard

It was written for Diana Ross and Steve McQueen.
It became Whitney Houston’s onscreen debut and was produced by its star Kevin Costner.
Made for $25 million, it made $411 million worldwide.
Not to mention the wave of #1 songs it produced including Whitney’s version of “I Will Always Love You” (above) which shattered all records at the time and topped the Billboard 100 for 14 weeks.

The Bodyguard

I saw The Bodyguard on AMC last night. I couldn’t resist.

My first plan was to have fun identifying the scenes filmed at Greystone Mansion. But then, I got drawn into the story again. Whitney was believable playing herself. Two-time Academy Award winner Costner was classic Costner. The story was well written by Academy Award nominee Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars V & VI), and considered a good screenplay.

But, Why?

“But, why?” I asked myself midway through the movie.
Why did we consider this a good story… to the tune of $411 million, ranking #7 in 1992, only after the likes of Aladdin, Home Alone 2 and Batman Returns?

It’s a simple plot: Female in danger. Hero to the rescue.
We could insert any female leading lady here: Halle, Julia, Marilyn, Elizabeth – somebody’s bound to be rescued and carried away in arms, a limousine, an airplane, something.

Fantasy?

That’s the fantasy women want and men love to fulfill, right?

I’m joking, but I actually think the film resonates deeper than that. It goes back to the redemptive element that I talked about in Avatar, Titanic & The Avengers.

Hollywood’s biggest selling box office films of all time have been redemptive stories:
Avatar, $2.782 billion – Sam sacrifices for Neytiri and the Na’vi people.
Titanic, $2.185 billion – Jack gives his life making sure Rose will live.
The Avengers, $1.511 billion – Iron Man intercepts the nuclear missile aimed at NYC and flies it into the space portal, knowing the likelihood that he won’t make it back.

We could go on and on. Skyfall, Transformers, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Dark Knight Rises, The Lion King… the Box Office Top 20 looks like the Who’s Who of Sacrificing One’s Life for Others.

The Bodyguard is no different.

Sacrifice

At one point, Kevin’s Frank and Whitney’s Rachel have the foreshadowing conversation that the prerequisite of a real bodyguard is the willingness to die for another.

As stated in my previous blog, I believe that we instinctively resonate with these stories because we yearn for redemption. We yearn to know that someone loves us so much that they’d give their very lives for us. Hollywood didn’t make this up. We’re only re-telling the Great Redemption story of God through blue aliens, sinking boats and dysfunctional superheroes and making money off of it.

Jesus tells His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” John 15:13. Then He lays down His life for all of us, friends and enemies, that if we believe, we can be reconciled back to God. That’s love.

That same love is demonstrated through us as we sacrifice for our families, friends, co-workers, strangers. And we recognize that love when we see it played out onscreen in films like The Bodyguard (though technically, a bodyguard is paid for his/her services to protect a person’s life… just saying).

Today

How ’bout we find a way to show love today through the sacrifices we make for others?
Maybe we let a driver pass in front of us on our busy highways?
Maybe we do something for our loved one that would mean a whole lot to them without asking anything in return?

It may not be throwing ourselves in front of a bullet at the Academy Awards, or stopping a plane to get off and run back and kiss the person we love, but hey, it’s a start.

Remember the video above, Fam?
Enjoy,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Easter Ain’t Over!
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© 2013, H0PE IN THE HILLS, All Rights Reserved


Fam, did you know that Easter ain’t over?

Last Sunday was just the beginning.

Traditionally, Easter lasts for 50 days from Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday. It’s supposed to be 50 days of celebration following those 40 days of Lent. Whew!

Par-tay!

Well, in the spirit of keeping the par-tay going, I wanted to share a dozen of our first pictures from service last Sunday. (SEE ABOVE). We had our first 3 baptisms and our first communion together. Beautiful milestones at Hope in the Hills. Our worship leaders Teka and Laurine sang, sang, sang. The lovely Jasmine Ford ministered in dance. We had visitors. We had fam. We ate and ate and had food leftover. It was a great day.

We’re still waiting to get the disc of photos. Our photographer, Clint Gellekanao of Clint Fotographie, (who is excellent, by the way) sent a few proofs. So, if you don’t see your smiling face yet, please know that it’s coming. We either didn’t have a picture of you yet OR we want to show your best side. (We’re still in Hollywood. Yal are not gonna be mad a me! :=)

Have a magnificent weekend.
Let’s keep the party going!

Psalm 118:22-24
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

5 days down.
45 more go,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Surprise 1st Results: What You Want re: “Confessions of a Hollywood Christian”; © NaimaLett.com/blog

© GRAPH: 1st Survey Results for “Confessions of a Hollywood Christian” by Naima Lett

Thanks so much for your feedback, Fam.
You’re the 1st to be asked, so you’re the 1st to get results!

Yesterday, we asked you:
What do YOU want?
eBook, Audiobook or Printed Book of Confessions of a Hollywood Christian: Take I, as we come down our final publishing stretch.

Surprise!

We are surprised by your answers! SEE CHART ABOVE
Are you surprised too?
Do the results line up with your preferences?

Our upcoming release strategy may have to be revamped based on your answers. We thought for sure the majority of the pie would be different; based on the fact that responders have been 60% under 45 and 40% over 45. Who knew?

WANT IN?

If you didn’t get a chance and you still want your voice to be heard:
You can EMAIL ME HERE, or
ANSWER anonymously below. Your choice.

Error: Contact form not found.

We’ll also tally on our social networks and see what more info you share.
Wow, Fam. I’m really… well, surprised. LOL!

ABOUT Confessions
Confessions of a Hollywood Christian is the first book in the new series by award-winning actress and Doctorate in Ministry candidate Rev. Naima Lett. Through candid, entertaining stories about her journey as a minister breaking into Hollywood, Naima encourages us to experience the freedom of living in truth and accepting who God created us to be.

Truth Sets Us Free
Jesus says in John 8:31-32, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Mad appreciation,
Naima
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