DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Who’s on Your Dream Team?
© NaimaLett.com/blog



The Original Dream Team! NBA source

I know it’s football season…
but we can’t finish our Dream series without visiting basketball’s Original Dream Team!

It was 1992.
The United States was determined not to repeat its 1988 disappointing 3rd place Olympic run. So, for the first time in history, the NBA supplied the American Olympic team with active NBA players instead of college all-stars.

ESPN called the superstar squad the “greatest sports team ever assembled”:
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls), Magic Johnson (Los Angeles Lakers), Larry Bird (Boston Celtics), Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks), David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs), John Stockton, Karl Malone (Utah Jazz), Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors), Charles Barkley (Philadelphia 76ers), Clyde Drexler (Portland Trail Blazers), and Christian Laettner (Duke University). Head coach, Chuck Daly (Detroit Pistons).

And they brought home the Gold! Defeating their opponents by an average of 44 points/game.

Magic Johnson remembers, “The 92 Dream Team was the greatest moment of my life in terms of basketball, bar none… I look to my right, there’s Michael Jordan … I look to my left, there’s Charles Barkley or Larry Bird … I didn’t know who to throw the ball to!”

We’ve had a mass dream resuscitation over the last month. We’ve prayed for your dreams all over the world. You are making plans and beginning to walk out those plans.

So, who’s on your dream team?

Who’s going to help you make the dream happen?

You’re 2-time consecutive NBA Championship coach Chuck Daly.
Who’s your Michael Jordan? Magic Johnson? Larry Bird?
Who’s your center like David Robinson or Patrick Ewing?
Who’s adding a little drama but getting it done like Charles Barkley?
And somebody’s gotta perfect “the flop”, yet become #2 NBA scorer aka Karl Malone. Who’s your master dramatist?

If you could assemble your dream team, who would you ask?
Go ahead! Dream!

Every A-Lister has a dream team. At the Academy Awards, thespians thank their agents, managers, publicists, coaches, financiers, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers and glam squads.

Who would make up your dream team?

Hope’s Dream Team

H0PE IN THE HILLS grew out of our Hollywood Christian bible study. Almost a year ago, on the last Sunday in October 2011, Kevin and I invited 15 dream chasers and dream makers over to our home for bible, food and fellowship. I taught an 8-week “Mission: Possible” series in which each dreamer discovered his/her personal mission statement, purpose, spiritual gifts, personality traits, heart’s passion. Truly transformative!

By January 8th, we were tremendously blessed to be able to rent a space around the corner from our home, and folks started calling our gathering their church home. We formalized everything, filled out all the state and federal paperwork, and started praying for our city and industry. Many of our original couples have become our lay leaders, our dream team.

Our Dream Team (Prayer walk, Beverly Hills, Spring 2012), © HopeintheHills.net.

Kevin and I have the honor of leading a diverse dream team of young all-stars and praying daily to fan their flames, activate their gifts, help them fulfill their God-given dreams, deepen their faith and walk with Christ while encouraging them to model Christ’s life and make disciples. It’s an extraordinary privilege to speak God’s word, share God’s love and shepherd God’s leaders who are going to impact the industry and our world through their teaching and artistic gifts.

Jesus’ Dream Team

Jesus also creates an original dream team of 12 from various and diverse backgrounds.

Matthew 10 explains “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “…As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give….”

Jesus commissions his original disciples to proclaim his message, heal the sick, raise the dead and take our darkness. Are we, his current dream team, doing the same today?

Jesus gives our Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” How are we doing with that, Fam?

Your Dream Team

Do our God-given dreams and missions include Christ’s commission to us?
Or are we just trying to use His power to achieve our own fame and fortune?

The reason that the 1992 Dream Team won (and went on to become Hall of Famers) was that they worked together towards one goal utilizing everybody’s strongest gifts. Can we do that with our teams? Are we working towards a unified goal utilizing everyone’s gifts?

If you haven’t already, I dare you to start praying for and creating your Dream Team of All-Stars! You cannot achieve what you see in your dream by yourself. God didn’t create us like that. We need each other. I don’t know anybody who achieves anything of significance alone.

So, who’s your dream team?
Who are you looking for?
We’ve got our Jordan, Johnson and Bird.
Who you got?
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Lesson from Space Shuttle Hollywood
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© source

“Only in Los Angeles”, CNN anchor Jim Clancy exclaimed.

Space Shuttle Endeavour makes history again today.

After 25 successful launches, 4,700 orbits around the earth, and 123 million air miles, Shuttle Endeavour has embarked upon “Mission 26”, its last 12-mile trek to its final home in the California Science Center (Inglewood) becoming the first and only shuttle ever to parade down U.S. city streets.

Why?
Because pulling off such a historic feat costs
$10 million with at least
12 months of planning including
400 trees cut down to allow space for
160-wheeled carrier bed to roll the
170,000 pound shuttle with
78 feet wingspan and
50 feet height.

Yep.
That’s Hollywood, for you.

We’ve turned La Tijera Blvd into the most sophisticated red carpet ever complete with 2,000 movable steel plates leap-frogging each other and ‘easing on down the road’.

Everyday citizens have become paparazzi, with pajamaed-toddlers in tow, lining the streets at 2 A.M. as Endeavour sauntered down its concrete runway at 2 mph. That’s right. 2.0 mph. This $1.7 billion, nearly 80-ton celebrity will take 2 days to arrive to its new platform. 2.0 days.

© Philip Millard source

Got me to thinking…
There’s a lesson to be learned, even after all this extraordinary pomp & circumstance.

The Lesson:
Value takes time.
i.e. Good things come to those who wait.
i.e. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty”. Proverbs 21:5
or “Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.” Prv 21:5 (Msg)

It took more than 12 months of tedious planning and hundreds of people to pull this whole extravaganza off. It took T-I-M-E. And it’s still taking TIME. There is no way to get 80 tons down the street fast – especially city streets on earth-faults that occasionally move. Power lines have been disabled. Cars cleared. They made special “Shuttle Crossing” signs, for crying out loud.

And in the same way that Lady Endeavour is not rushing down her platinum steel runway, we don’t have to hurry and scurry down ours.

We’ve been exploring our God-given dreams over the last couple of weeks. It took Joseph 13 years to begin to see his dream manifest and at least 20 years to see it fully realized. Why do we think our own dreams are going to magically, microwaverly appear? (I’m aware I just made up a word… You get my point!) It takes TIME. It takes planning. It takes resources… hopefully not $10 million of taxpayer dollars, but I digress.

Make your plans, Fam.
Map your route.
Hire your team.
Put things in motion.

And one day, when you strut down your yellow brick road at 2 mph, we’ll gather around with our paparazzi lenses and cheer you on.

All that I ask is that you jump off after 4 AM. I try my best not to be up with my husband, who gets up at 2:00; but most times I am. I just can’t be camera-ready by then, unless of course we turn it into a film set, at which point we can talk union rates, etc…. :=)

Welcome to Hollywood, Endeavour.
And who are you wearing?
XOXO,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Green Light. What’s Stopping Us? – Video Clip
© NaimaLett.com/blog



VIDEO CLIP [3:19] © Naima Lett

We’ve got the green light from God.
What can possibly stop us?

That’s one of the questions I raised in the short video clip above from Sunday at H0PE IN THE HILLS when we looked at Moses’ calling and purpose in EXODUS 3-4.

A couple of weeks ago, the Lord began resuscitating our God-given dreams. He called us to prayer, and we’ve prayed for dreams all over the world. We thoroughly explored Joseph’s story in Genesis 37-50. We’ve kept the ball rolling by writing out our plans, seeking accountability and taking our next steps.

What can possibly stop us?
What’s stopping you?

Check out this short 3 minute video excerpt, and ask yourself that question. If the answer is anything besides God Himself, then let’s get to stepping, Fam. Nothing standing in our way.

Charge!
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Want a TV Role? Win Olympic Gold.
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© Getty/Reuters – McKayla Maroney, Gabrielle Douglas, Ryan Lochte, Misty May Treanor

Win Olympic Gold. Get a TV Role.

Guest star roles are hard to come by these days, unless you’ve recently won Olympic gold. The 4 USA champions pictured above have vaulted, swam and volleyed their way right into our Fall network line up. No acting experience necessary.

On the red carpet recently, Emmy Award-winner Tina Fey gushed about 11-time Olympian Ryan Lochte’s upcoming guest star on NBC’s hit comedy 30 Rock. He also snagged a role on CW’s 90210 and is publicly lobbying for The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars and Gossip Girl.

History-making, two-time golden girl Gabrielle Douglas traded tweets with SAG Award-winner Ian Somerhalder and his costar girlfriend Nina Dobrev after filming with them on CW’s The Vampire Diaries.

Gabby’s not the only teen gymnast getting in on the action. Famous for her #notimpressed pout on the awards podium, gold & silver medalist McKayla Maroney was impressed to land a guest star on CW’s Hart of Dixie and posted pics of her visit to CBS’ How I Met Your Mother.

Finally, the most successful female beach volleyball player, 3-time Olympic gold medalist, Misty May-Treanor, will spend some of her retirement doing TV. She will play volleyball against SAG Award-winner and Emmy & Golden Globe nominee Matthew Perry on an upcoming episode of NBC’s new hit comedy, Go On. I recently blogged about Go On.

More than One Way

While some actors could get annoyed that athletes (singers, rappers, reality show personalities, etc.) are landing coveted acting roles, I encourage us to instead celebrate that there is more than one way to reach our artistic goals.

Whether you’re an artist or not, you can relate, right? In all of our professional fields, it takes more than just knowing our expertise to move forward. We also have to master networking, (now) social networking, marketing and promotion, on and on. It’s not enough to do a great job. Somebody has to notice that great job and decide to champion your cause.

But more importantly than all of the above, we have to meet a need. I keep encouraging each person that I have the privilege of coaching/counseling to focus on meeting needs. If we continually meet needs, we are called upon to meet more needs. Does that make sense?

Meeting the Need

That’s what Joseph did.
We’ve been journeying through Genesis 37-50 during this wonderful season of dream resuscitation. Joseph’s story is so layered and rich.

In Genesis 41, Joseph is finally called out of prison to Pharaoh. This happens because 2 years prior, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker in prison. He met their needs. And 2 years later, Joseph finds himself telling Pharaoh, “I cannot do it (interpret), but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16

The big picture is that God elevated Joseph and opened the door when the time was right. But Joseph had been faithfully serving for 13 years in hard situations. He just kept meeting the needs in front of him.

Can we do that today? Meet a need?

Fair or not

Whether we think it’s fair or not that non-thespian Olympic gold medalists are nabbing acting roles, the truth is that they are meeting the needs of the networks.

What is the need of the television network?
Olympic gold medalists = Big viewing audience = Big ratings = Big advertising dollars,
i.e. more money, more money, more money.

I’m not mad at Gabby, Ryan, McKayla or Misty. They’re trying to expand their brands, get more endorsements and carve out a legacy that lasts beyond the small window of time that they have as athletes. I do hope that somebody invested in an acting coach, though. Just saying.

In the meantime, let’s get our Joseph on and find a way to meet some needs today.
You with me?
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
NOW WHAT?
© NaimaLett.com/blog

photo source

I Followed Up with You yesterday.
Now what?

Prayed over dreams. Check.
Dreams resuscitated. Check.
What’s next?

It’s not enough to simply dream. We must act upon what we’ve seen.

Joseph spent 13 years mini-ruling at Potiphar’s crib and in prison before he was entrusted to rule Egypt as Pharaoh’s second-in-command. Those 13 years deepened his relationship with the Lord, built his character and gave him plenty of practice doing what he saw himself doing in his dream before the dream was fully actualized.

Phase I

In Genesis 39:2-6, a teenage Joseph oversees and rules over all that Potiphar owns:
The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian (Potiphar). Now his master saw that the Lord was with Joseph and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made Joseph overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.

That was Phase I.
What’s your Phase I? How far along are you? Just starting? Completing?

Phase II

Phase II saw Joseph doing the same thing (ruling), but in a different venue: prison.

Genesis 39:19-23: So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined…But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper.

Most times, we hate small beginnings. We want to jump right into the big God-given dream that we’ve seen in our hearts before we’ve been tried and tested. But that testing period is essential in getting us ready.

Do me and you a favor today:
Take inventory.
I suspect we’re probably a lot further along than we give yourselves credit for. :=)

Go head. Make a list. Be encouraged.
What have you already been doing towards the dream?
What are the Potiphar’s houses and prisons where God has made you successful?
Where have you been faithfully serving and prospering someone else’s gems?
Where have you proven yourself, that you are skilled, capable and ready?

When your dream comes true, nobody should be surprised at what it was because you would’ve already spent years and years doing it.

Before anyone in Hollywood becomes an A-List star, they’ve usually spent at least 10 years working and building a career. I recently met an A-Lister’s manager who marveled that his client was finally receiving an Academy Award nomination and being recognized with a “Star to Watch” Award when she had literally been working for a decade. He laughed.
I thought, “That’s just about right.”

You’ve been working away at something for years. Let’s not despise the amount of time it takes. Let’s celebrate the victories along the way.

Can we do that today?
What have you been doing?
Let me know below,
Naima

Digging Deeper
Yesterday, I mentioned that we could re-visit our posts on purpose this week to help you map your dreams from Point A to Point Z. If you want to dig deeper, re-visit the post: CLEAR WHY WE’RE HERE. It’s #1 of 4 blogs on creating your road map. Enjoy!

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Following Up with You
© NaimaLett.com/blog

Hi Fam,

A couple of weeks ago, we put out an A.P.B. for dreamers, dream chasers & dream makers. We received your dreams from all over the world, & we brought them to the Lord and prayed.

So, how’s it going?
I wanted to personally follow up with you.

If you didn’t get a chance to share your dream or response yet, feel free to SHARE now. It’s confidential, and I’m continuing to pray for you. We’re in the series for 2 more weeks.

Many of you have shared your successes and praise reports – How God has:
• connected you with a key player
• provided you with a much-needed resource
• given you a next step, and/or
• boosted your faith to keep going

I’ve been so encouraged by God’s call and your response to prayer. He doesn’t always use a megaphone, but that’s exactly what He’s doing right now. And we are listening.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

OK, let’s deal with JUMBO!
The biggest internal obstacle that many of us face is fear of failure. If we haven’t shared our dream with anyone else because we’re afraid to fail, let’s be honest about it; and then decide to move forward any way.

John tells us that God is love and “…there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” 1 John 16-18

God called us to pray for our dreams. He is love. Perfect love drives out fear. Besides, what’s the worst that can happen? We end up becoming successful servants i.e. Joseph in Potiphar’s house? We end up becoming successful during darkness i.e. Joseph in prison? What’s the worst? We look bad in front of people? Are we really not going to take the risk on God’s dreams because we MIGHT look bad to someone else who probably could care less about what we’re doing?

Do you think I think I can accomplish this great big dream God has given me in my own strength? Do you think I don’t feel failure trying to chase me down? I simply decided to run on anyhow. And I’m a pretty good runner. Didn’t you see my commercial pic post on Facebook during the Olympics? Your girl’s got kick.

Besides, Psalm 23:6 says God’s goodness and mercy are chasing me down all the days of my life. They’re much better running partners than fear. And I bet they can actually squeeze fear out of the race when they get good and ready. So, I’m going to focus on them and keep moving forward. What about you?

NOW WHAT?

Dream in writing: Make your plan.
Since our heavenly Father is giving us a great big green light, let’s go for it. What does your dream look like? Get specific. This week, we’ll revisit a couple of blogs where I walk you from Point A – Z. We heard from you on how those have been very helpful.

Dream together: Get a partner.
Teamwork works. Accountability is one of the most effective tools we have in accomplishing our goals. For example, Weight Watchers has helped countless folks reach their health goals through accountability programs like weekly meetings and weigh-ins. Jordan didn’t win 6 championships by himself. He had Pippen, Grant and Rodman. Who’s got your back? Who can you ask to touch base with you at least once a week as you walk out your plan?

Dream with God: Keep His priorities first.
Last week, from Joseph’s story, we saw how God gave Joseph a dream that helped thousands of people. Our dreams help others. Jesus’ entire mission centered around sacrificing for others. Let’s keep God’s priorities in mind. Did you get a chance to journey through the rest of Joseph’s story via text or audio? Genesis 37-50 (skipping 38)? It’s so encouraging.

Also, here’s some of the VIDEO footage from the series:
Sometimes, It’s Best to Run [2:45]
Bring Your Dreams [30:00]
Is the Dream Big Enough? [4:00]

We’re all in this together, Fam.
Feel like running forward today with your God-given dream?
Let’s do it,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Mariah Carey vs. Nicki Minaj?
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© source David Livingston, Getty; Kevin Mazur, Wireimage

Mariah Carey vs. Nicki Minaj?

Cat fight? Really? I can’t be the only one who believes this is another “staged” reality show fight to bolster ratings for a rusty 12-year old American Idol that has been losing viewers to copycat contests X-Factor, The Voice, The Next, Sing Off, Duets, etc.

While President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney were gearing up to debate the state of our economy, a different verbal smackdown “supposedly” occurred during the North Carolina American Idol auditions between their new judges.

A video from FOX’s closed set was “somehow leaked” to TMZ in which rapper Nicki Minaj drops a myriad of f-bombs on superstar singer Mariah Carey before “supposedly” threatening to off Mariah’s head, knock Mariah out and shoot Mariah.

Don’t Believe the Hype

The reasons I personally don’t believe this hype are:

1) When you threaten someone’s life, you get arrested. You lose your job. There are severe consequences. You don’t show up the next day and do press interviews while sipping Coca-Cola, pose for publicity photos together and go tit-for-tat on Twitter. Threatening a life is unacceptable. I’ve seen the devastation that occurs when women’s threats go unchecked. If Nicki Minaj threatened Mariah Carey’s life for real, FOX needs to fire her immediately and Mariah needs to press charges and have her arrested. Period.

2) But that’s not what happened, is it? Instead of firing Minaj, FOX’s producers leaked the video to TMZ and then claimed “No comment” when contacted about the footage. Be clear, Fam. FOX is filming on a closed set. That means that everyone signs a confidentiality agreement and no cell phone recording is allowed. No crew professional would risk losing their job to pull out a cell phone and start recording. Producers are hawks. Nothing gets by you on a set. The only footage that escapes a closed set is footage that is purposefully leaked.

3) Lastly, everyone knows that reality shows thrive off conflict. Cue Survivor, The Apprentice, any of The Real Housewives series, and even this Honey Boo Boo mess. American Idol desperately needs conflict to get viewers back. Following the “explosion”, host Ryan Seacrest (producer of Keeping Up with the Kardashians) admitted on his radio show that Idol needs this conflict. “It did get intense,” he said. “We want that. We want them to be on this panel together.”

I’m just beyond disappointed that a show that sells itself as the most family friendly TV would stoop this low and leak this type of behavior as an example to young kids.

Booooo FOX!

If the network is going to stoop to childlike behavior, so can I. Booooooo! 2 thumbs down!

I have a choice. I can vote with my viewing, and I don’t have to watch this fake Family Feud. If it’s for real, then FOX, I demand that you act responsibly and put out a statement that violent threats are unacceptable and fire Nicki Minaj instead of capitalizing off the publicity stunt. The truth is I suspect producers cooked up this fight, like every other reality TV fight, and told the entertainers to entertain. Boooooo!!!!!

Where’s the reality in reality TV?

Can we get some “reality” in our reality TV? Can we get some truth up in here?

I am reminded of the leadership at the time of Jesus. When He is falsely arrested, Jesus is taken from the high priest Caiaphas to the Roman Governor Pilate, who has a view of truth that permeates today. In John 18:37-38, Jesus and Pilate have a fascinating conversation:

Jesus answered, “… In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“What is truth?” retorted Pilate.

What is truth, Fam? Whatever FOX or whoever else shows us on camera? Absolutely not.
Every time I read that chapter I am baffled. A leader who cannot discern truth certainly will not be able to display truth. Producers who do not care about truth will readily push forward lies.

What about us? Well, don’t swallow the red or blue pill. Don’t go down the rabbit hole. Today, let’s commit to walking in truth, which emanates from God’s word. We don’t have to pretend reality shows are real. Let’s just call them what they are: publicity stunts.

Happy Friday!
Let’s find a way to be honest today…
…says the chic who works in LaLa Land :=)
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Is Your Dream Big Enough? – Video Clip
© NaimaLett.com/blog



VIDEO Clip [4:00] © Naima Lett

Is your dream big enough?

We concluded Joseph’s story on Sunday, picking up Genesis 41-50 about the manifestation of his dreams and the impact long after he was gone. God gave Joseph a dream that was so much bigger than him.

What’s yours?

In the short VIDEO excerpt above at H0PE IN THE HILLS, we dig a little deeper as I encourage you to not be deterred by the ticking clock, to think bigger, and to figure out the difference between our God-given dream and desires of our heart. Previous video excerpts from the series include:
Sometimes, It’s Best to Run
Bring Your Dreams

We serve a great big gracious God.
Can our dreams reflect the magnitude of His greatness?
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Don’t Talk Religion or Politics
© NaimaLett.com/blog



President Barack Obama & former Governor Mitt Romney square off tonight 10/3, 6PM-P/9PM-E

“Don’t talk religion or politics.”

I bet we’ve all heard that advice, or experienced firsthand why it’s survived over the years. Discussing religion or politics brings out a passion in people that can immediately turn a friendly conversation into an all-out brawl.

I don’t understand it. Why can’t we agree or disagree civilly?

I was in a recent conversation with a couple of pastors when the topic of the presidential race and the candidates’ religious beliefs came up. Disappointment does not begin to describe what I felt as these guys unraveled before me. One pastor got so ice with me that I had to remind him that we are still one body in Christ, a family. We don’t have to agree, but we do need to learn how to love each other through our disagreements.

I don’t agree with my own blood brothers about everything, but we still respect each other and handle our disagreements in a way that does not allow deep-seeded disdain to go unchecked. And why is there disdain? Why should I expect anyone else to see life through my personal grid? It’s more likely that we’ll see things differently.

As followers of Christ, we need to get it together.
Yes, I said it.

News flash:
Jesus is neither Republican or Democrat.

Neither one of the 2 parties fully reflects all of Jesus’ teachings. There are some on one side and some on the other. And if any church tells you that God’s party is one or the other, it’s a lie. Yes, I said that too.

God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. He isn’t an elephant or a donkey. He made them. We use His word to discern and make decisions about which candidates to vote for, but let’s stop this nonsense of hating each other in the name of God and politics.

At His last supper, Jesus tells His disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

The Apostle John expounds upon Jesus’ message in 1 John 4:19-21, “We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

It is not possible for us, as followers of Christ, to hate one another because of our political affiliations, and truly love God. If a Christian Republican hates a Christian Democrat or a Christian Democrat hates a Christian Republican, I dare say neither is very Christian at all.

We can disagree on which leader we believe will turn the economy around, create more jobs, better education, conserve energy, enhance foreign relations, end wars, etc. But if our disagreement becomes venom, hatred, unforgiveness and bitterness, we’ve crossed the line.

Jesus Did Not Get the Memo.

Whoever created the old adage, “Don’t talk religion or politics,” probably did so because he/she knew we’d act a fool when trying to discuss either. But Jesus didn’t get that memo. He talks religion AND politics. He shows up on the scene on some, “The kingdom of God is at hand,” and turns people’s paradigms upside down.

Maybe, if He didn’t talk religion and politics, He wouldn’t have been falsely accused, beaten and crucified. But even the threat of death couldn’t drown His love for us. He loved us so much He sacrificed His life, and was resurrected so that we could be reconciled back to God.

If we name His name, if we count ourselves as His followers, let’s see if we can find ways to love each other that much – sacrificing for one another – instead of mudslinging, name-calling, eye-rolling, and slandering for the sake of one political party or another. We can passionately disagree, but let’s find ways to disagree gracefully.

We do it all the time with our sports teams. My oldest brother is a die-hard Georgia Bulldogs fan. My second oldest brother graduated from Georgia Tech. They do not see eye to eye when it comes to their teams, but they don’t vilify each other. I know that’s an oversimplification, and politics involve decisions that affect our livelihood, but I still advocate that we should be able to converse about any matter without turning into the WWF.

Wake up, Fam.
We are not each other’s enemy. We have an enemy of our soul who is taking folks out. We’re on the same team. Let’s act like it,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Upgrades: NFL Cheerleaders
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Alright, NFL!
The real refs are back. My brothers and sisters-in-law are duking it out in their fantasy football league. And Tony Romo made history last night – becoming “the only player in NFL history with multiple Monday night games with at least five interceptions.” So sorry Dallas! :=(

But on a brighter note, I came across an NFL Cheerleaders, Then & Now, gallery that’s fascinating. A couple of the more tamed pics are above.

Talk about upgrades.

There’s been quite a transformation, over the last couple of decades, I suppose, to keep up with the changing winds of culture.

More glitz.
More glam.
More enhancements.
More exposure.

Is it me, or does every outfit look like a bikini now? Bikini with stars, bikini with fringe, bikini with fur… for Christmas, of course. By January, the shiny leggings might make an entrance. Oh, and leg warmers. Go San Fran 49ers!

OK, I’m making fun.
But seriously, I understand that these are real dancers with real talent in real careers. The competition is tight, and there’s unbelievable pressure now to look a certain way. There are no more big sweatshirts and long skirts to hide extra belly jelly.

Everybody can see everything when you’re in a bikini… with cowboy boots.

So, as the artists’ shepherd, I sure do send up some prayers today for all my fellow dancers who are shaking and baking for your entertainment in bikinis with feathers (for Thanksgiving, of course). I wish our culture had a different standard and appetite, and that the NFL had some women in high places who could sit in on some meetings and make an argument for less exploitation of our ladies. Just saying.

None-the-less, please join me in praying that the Lord will empower His daughters, who are already on the teams, to shine brightly as His light in their relationships and witness, in the same way that His sons, who are on the field are holding it down in the locker rooms.

Where you at, Light?

I quote this passage at least once a month, but it’s because I want us to understand that we are ALL called to be light wherever we are… whether on an NFL team or cheer squad.

Matthew 5:14-16 says “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

So, whether in a bikini with sequins or stars & stripes, in a business suit or work uniform, wherever you are today, I pray for your light to shine. And if we’re ever tempted to judge the ladies, please whisper a prayer for the team owners and decision makers instead. The artist is rarely the one in control of those decisions, though I’m sure they could make a ruckus about it, if they wanted. Go Revolution!

And in case you were wondering, I think the Wonder Woman costumes work better for Halloween than the bikinis with skulls.

But that’s just my 2 cents,
Naima

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