DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
MOVING FORWARD

© Israel Houghton, “Moving Forward” SONG/VIDEO:

#MOVINGFORWARD

I love meeting new artists. It’s one of the reasons we created Hollywood Christian Ministries. We love connecting with folks and helping them find their purpose and follow their dreams without losing their faith.

I recently met and look forward to hearing the story of aspiring songwriter Africa Nicole. Her hashtag inspires me. It simply says #MovingForward, which immediately makes me think of worship leader-songwriter Israel Houghton’s 2009 megahit “Moving Forward“.

Israel’s song says:
I’m not going back
I’m moving ahead
Here to declare to You
My past is over in You…

I wish we could all live like this: not dwelling on the past, but moving forward. It’s definitely easier said than done, but we have the best example in Jesus.

Yesterday, we read about Jesus’ homecoming-gone-bad at Nazareth in “Oh, What a Homecoming!” After almost being thrown off a cliff for speaking in a synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus could’ve taken some time off from synagogues. But you know what He did on the next Sabbath?

Guess.

Jesus teaches in a synagogue. He does the same thing that got Him thrown out of the last one. He doesn’t stop His purpose. He doesn’t abort His mission. He moves forward.

Let’s pick up the story with the last verses from yesterday:

Today’s Meditation
Read below or click: LUKE 4: 28-32

28 And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things; 29 and they got up and drove Him (Jesus) out of the city, and led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, He went His way. 31 And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; 32 and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.

NO FEAR – NO FUSS

Jesus operates from a place of NO FEAR, NO FUSS.

Even when ALL the people in His hometown Nazareth synagogue drive Him out to throw Him off a cliff, Jesus doesn’t become afraid. Verse 20 says He simply slips through the crowd and goes on his way. NO DRAMA.

Could you do this?

I don’t know, Fam.

I don’t know if I could keep my cool. If folks are hollering at me and trying to throw me off a cliff, I don’t know if I could just pull a disappearing act and go on my way. I might be trying to do an Elijah and call down fire from heaven like, “Get them, Lord!”

But Jesus just moves on.

#MOVINGFORWARD

Jesus operates in truth. He says, “a prophet is not accepted in his hometown”. Nazareth is not ready to accept who He really is, so He keeps it moving.

NEXT!

Jesus goes to Capernaum and teaches them on the Sabbath and they are amazed at His teaching and message. He finds those who are open to His message instead of getting stuck on those who are closed.

What if Jesus got bogged down over being rejected in Nazareth?

This is a huge temptation for artists, and people, in general – to get stuck on rejection – because there is a lot of rejection. There are probably nine “NOs” before there is one “YES”. You have to be resilient in this business. So, it’s very tempting to slip into that place of “Woe is me!” and get stuck.

That’s not what Jesus does. One Sabbath, He’s rejected (and almost killed). The very next Sabbath, He is back to teaching.

Last week, one of my nieces had a bike tumble and had to get a couple of stitches. My father reminisced on how my brothers each had scary bike stories, but as soon as possible, they got back on those bikes and conquered their fears. In essence, they were able to #moveforward.

Be encouraged today, Fam.
Get back on the bike.
Move on to Capernaum.
Don’t get stuck on the rejection.
Let’s move forward.

Things to do, people to see, places to go.
We’ve got a purpose, a hope and a future.

#MovingForward!
Naima

Think this might encourage a friend? Forward.

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
OH, WHAT A HOMECOMING!

PHOTO: Howard University “Showtime” Marching Band, (Source: ©Kevin Coles)

Now THAT’S a Homecoming! (photo above)
A celebration! Back-bends! Music! Festivities!

My undergraduate alma mater, Howard University, knows how to throw a homecoming. There’s a parade, step show, fashion show, gospel show, comedy show, music concert, coronation ball, yard fest, celebrities, parties, parties, parties. And all of that is for a football game.

A. football. game.

Students and alumni from all over the world “come home” to celebrate.

Yeah.
Jesus’ homecoming experience is a little different…
He almost gets tossed down a mountain.
And not like the “rock star” toss where all the people pass Him around on their shoulders.
No, He’s about to be thrown off a cliff. No kidding.
I’m not making this up.

Today’s Meditation:
Read highlights below: LUKE 4: 14-17, 20-24, 28-30
Entire passage: LUKE 4:14-30

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him…20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown…” 28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.

PREVIOUSLY

If you have a chance, read the entire passage that includes the few Old Testament verses that Jesus quoted about Himself. It’s worth it.

What has happened before this crazy homecoming scene is that Jesus has been baptized, has spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness, and has been tested by satan. Now he begins His public preaching ministry and He’s teaching in the synagogues.

Then Jesus comes home to Nazareth where the people know Him as “Joseph’s son”.

Apparently Nazareth has a bit of a reputation. When one of Jesus’ future disciples, Nathaniel, is told that the Messiah has been found (Jesus) and He’s from Nazareth, Nathaniel replies, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:45-46). That’s saying a WHOLE lot.

How would you like people to say that about your city. Oh, you’re from LA! Can anything good come from LA? That’s the attitude about Nazareth. These are Jesus’ home-folks.

Needless to say, on the Sabbath, Jesus goes to the synagogue, which is His custom and He (being recognized as a rabbi/teacher), is given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah to read. He finds the place on the Isaiah scroll (we now identify it as Isaiah 61) and reads how “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus then has the audacity to say, “Today, this scripture is fulfilled.”

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

What’s the big deal? Why would anybody want to throw Jesus off a cliff for owning this scripture?

Why? Because the Jewish worshipers in the synagogue would have recognized this scripture as one that is attributed to their coming Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One. And Jesus, Joseph’s son, is now standing up in the front of the church talking ’bout this scripture is about Him? Are you kidding?

If Jesus had not been a grown man of 30 years old, the synagogue leaders probably would’ve told His mother to take Him somewhere and wash His mouth out or give Him a tap or two for lying. How could this scripture be about Jesus, Joseph’s son, a local carpenter?

What? You Hollywood, now, Jesus?

You done left home for a hot second, got dunked in the Jordan River by the latest greatest spectacle (John the Baptist), dipped for 40 days and nobody knew what you were doing in the wilderness, and now you the Messiah?????? What are you smoking?

But Jesus keeps on talking. He gives them two more Old Testament examples of home-people who missed the good thing that was right there in their midst. This really ticked the people off. They drove Him out of town and tried to throw Him off a cliff.

HOMETOWN LOVE

Who doesn’t yearn to make a difference in their home community? Who wouldn’t want to be accepted by those they grew up with? Who wouldn’t want the key to the city? Or a street named after you? Or a city holiday in your honor?

Think about your hometown, your family, your friends. Don’t you want them to be proud of you? Don’t you want them to honor you? There’s nothing wrong with that. And it’s entirely possible, as long as you are not called to speak truth. Let’s be clear. Jesus says, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown…”

As soon as we start trying to speak truth, somebody is going to roll up like, “Isn’t that Freddie’s daughter?” or “Isn’t that Robert’s son?”

You fill in the blank. What will they say about you? “Isn’t that _____________ daughter/son?”

I wish for all of you to receive a beautiful homecoming parade with dancers and streamers and bands doing back-bends. But for some reason, if folks in your hometown miss your gifts, it’s OK. Know that you are in great company.

Even the Maker of the world got kicked out of His “hometown”.

AVOID THE CLIFF

I am going to ask you for one favor though. Can you please avoid the cliff?

If you go to your hometown, and people don’t understand your faith, and they run you out and start driving you towards a cliff, I’m going to need you to break away from the crowd. I need you to avoid the cliff, OK?!

If the people start shouting to throw you overboard, please pray to the Father and ask Him to help you “pull a Jesus” and disappear amongst the crowd for a smooth getaway.

Can you do that for me?
And I’ll try my best to do the same.
‘Cause getting thrown off a cliff is not the kind of homecoming we want this year!

EVEN BETTER

Or even better, may be we change our expectations and don’t require our home-folks to “get us”, per se. May be we let them off the hook and understand that their vision is limited and in their eyes, we may always just be So-and-So’s son or daughter. It’s OK. That’s the best they can do.

Let’s keep it moving.
Streamers, bands, dancers or not, we’ve got things to do, people to see, places to go.
We’ve got a mission, a purpose, a hope and a future.

Go forth,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
WHAT’S NEXT?!

Wow! What an Easter!
Worship! Celebration! Drama! Food! Fellowship!

Our Hope in the Hills in Bev Hills was popping. How were your gatherings?
The Lord, by His Spirit, was with us. And we honored Him.
We are so grateful and still full – spiritually and physically.

We ended our fast from Lent with an incredible Easter meal from French Quarter Cuisine catered by Chef Anthony Stemley. If you’re in LA, and want his info, let us know. The smothered yams and sweet potato pecan pie with the graham cracker crust were divine.

The best part was spending the day with family and friends. There is nothing like community and celebrating together. It is always good to know that we are in this thing together. We had a blast. We have a great core team that helped bring everything together, and my oldest brother, sister-in-law, nephews and niece drove in. Beautiful to spend time with them too. It was a good day.

So, you and I journeyed together for 40 days thru Lent with fasting, prayer and reflection. Thank you so much.

WHAT’S NEXT?!

No pressure or anything, but after Jesus’ 40 day fast in the wilderness, He started a ministry that turned the world upside down. Just saying… Anybody ready to shake things up? Anybody’s vision and purpose been renewed?

Today’s meditation:
Read below or click: LUKE 4:13-15

13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him (Jesus) until an opportune time.14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

To be fair, there is some down time between the fast and the ministry. In Matthew’s account (Matthew 4:10-11), after Jesus tells satan to step off and get to moving, angels come and minister to Him. There is a time of restoration.

I’m not an angel, obviously, but I know a little something about ministering to others and times of restoration.

For all the Fam who works out, you’ll recognize this as the “cool down” part of our routine. If we lift weights, dance, exercise, walk, jog, anything physical, there is a “warm up” that precedes the work out, and a “cool down” that follows the work out. When we go to a restaurant, there is an appetizer that precedes the main course and dessert that follows. We could make the same metaphor for sex. And all the married folks say, “Amen!”

Either way, let’s “cool down”. Let’s debrief and examine what happened over the last 40 days so that we can launch out into our next steps.

WHAT HAPPENED?

What happened in our lives over the last month+ during Lent? What was wonderful? What was not the best? How can we continue to grow?

How was this season for you?
Many of you sent praise reports of what the Lord was doing.

If you haven’t already, let us know. We’ll be sharing some of your testimonies in our service next Sunday as an encouragement about God’s faithfulness. If you want us to keep your name confidential, we can do that. We honor your privacy. No problem. So, let us know about your experience:

Was this your first Lenten fast?
Was this the first time you did a 40-day fast? 20 days? 10 days? 7 days? 1 day?
What did you sacrifice?
What were you lifting up as a prayer request?
How did God respond?

I’ll go first to give an example of the process.

This wasn’t my first Lenten fast or 40-day fast, but this one proved a tremendous struggle in my areas of sacrifice. In the blog, If At First We Don’t Succeed, Try Again (https://naimalett.com/blog-day-5-lent-if-at-first-we-dont-succeed-naima-lett/), I explained that my sacrificial commitment was two-fold: food and time.

Food!

I’m a vegetarian, so I had to get creative with what I let go. Giving up meat would not be a sacrifice, seeing that it hasn’t been a staple in my diet for a decade. So, I gave up sweets (and in the process realized I could very well be addicted to sugar) and breads (I L-O-V-E breads, all kinds, I do not discriminate).

I was constantly hungry for sweets and breads. Whenever I craved a blueberry muffin or raisin bread or cereal for breakfast, I would have my fruit and water and pray. I was in constant communication with God, Fam! Constant!

Then, I started craving hamburgers (and I haven’t eaten a beef hamburger in 10 years). I told my husband, “This is the weirdest thing ever!” You would think I was pregnant and ready for a pickle and ice cream run in the middle of the night. Bizarre!

Thank God, I was able to hold fast in the fast. Do you know the thought that kept me most days? What held me accountable? The idea that if I decided to go and inhale an entire cheesecake, I would have to get up early the next morning when I wrote the next blog and confess to you what I’d done. Accountability is powerful, people! Powerful!

Time!

The area where I struggled the most was sacrificing 10% of my day. For the most part, the first hour of quiet time was the easiest, as it was already a part of my routine. But that extra hour and 1/2? I NEVER knew carving out 2 1/2 hours a day with the Lord could be SO hard. It’s not difficult when I’m teaching or setting aside time for retreats. But in my normal roller-coaster-all-cylinders-on-go life, 2 1/2 hours is a BIG DEAL!

But it got me to thinking. Do I spend 2 1/2 hours a day in communication with anybody? Maybe I was going about this all wrong and setting myself up for failure. My husband and I talk constantly and we work together and serve together in ministry, but we don’t actually spend 2 1/2 hours a day just sitting and talking. We talk over meals. We carve out time together. We still date and hang, but it’s rare that we just sit for 2 1/2 hours straight talking unless we’re in a strategic planning session or something.

So, I realized, it’s best for me to spread out my quiet time. An hour in the morning works, praying, reading, journaling. A prayer walk in the neighborhood is another 1/2 hour. I might listen to some music or scriptures or preaching or praise and worship in the car to and from destinations, etc. I’m constantly praying over decisions as I work throughout the day. I spend some time interceding and praying over other’s prayer requests. I am constantly praying while tending to the needs of the fam of Christ, visiting, counseling, building, listening. And, I reflect at night before I go to bed.

Everybody’s different. I’m not saying this would work for you. Neither am I saying it should. I’m just saying, this is what I figured out would have to work for me. Because trying to sit still for 2 1/2 hours each day in QT set myself up failure and then I’d feel bad when I just couldn’t do it. Spreading things out helped a lot more!

I normally consume lots of books, magazines and television daily to keep up on current events, trends and what’s happening in the industry. During the 40 days, I cut way back on that and felt a little lost. I still looked up breaking news on the internet, but I don’t know what’s going on with the new mid-season TV shows that opened.

Anybody keeping up with Smash? Is The Voice over? I don’t know anything re: American Idol. Did anybody see the show Scandal created by Shonda Rhimes starring Kerry Washington? If so, what did you think? In 1968, Diahann Carroll became the first black actress in television history to star in her own series called “Julia” for NBC. That was a 30 minute sitcom. Now, almost 45 years later, I think I read that Scandal is making history as the first hour-long network drama starring an African American female. It also happens to be written by a sister. So, I’m interested in checking it out. Not to mention I had an audition for that pilot episode last year, and I’d like to see what they did with the script. The first draft I read was a bit racy. How did it turn out?

Needless to say, I had to carve out extra time, and some days, I did better than others, but I learned a huge lesson along the way that should help me moving forward.

What are your lessons?
What did you learn?

GOD’S PART

What encouraged me the most was God’s faithfulness. He is so faithful.

During the 40 days, in addition to answering the many prayer requests I was bombarding heaven with on your behalf, the Lord also took time to answer a very specific question I had regarding my future. I have about 10 projects going, no exaggeration, and I was praying for clarity on what to keep, what to let go, where to press, where to retreat. God spoke very clearly and renewed hope in a place in my soul that very much needed hope.

Yesterday, on Easter, I said, “Because of Christ’s resurrection, we have hope and a future”. I meant that. It’s personal. I have hope and a future. We have hope and a future.

SO WHAT’S NEXT?!

Did you receive any direction during the fast? Usually, after an extended time with the Lord, direction is given. Do you have any clarity or sense an area of moving forward? Again, no pressure, but we’ll explore this in the coming days.

Did you know Easter is a season, not just a day? In the church worldwide, Easter and the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated between Easter and Pentecost. That’s a 50 day stretch. There is no fasting. There is celebration and one of the church fathers said they stand while praying to denote the resurrection. Now, I’m not saying anybody has to change their prayer posture, but the point is, the global church is still celebrating.

So, we’ll keep celebrating. Many of you asked to keep receiving daily devotions. I’ll keep writing. If you don’t want to get emails daily, just email us and we’ll take you off the daily BLOG list, but you’ll still get the monthly news update. No worries, no stress. We are also researching a weekly digest option. We may have to switch blog clients to do so. We’ll do our best to make this a fuss-free process, maybe add some audio or video, a podcast, or vlog. We’ll see.

But today, I’m resting.
I’m exhausted.

And I may have another piece of that sweet potato pecan pie. Somebody put a couple of leftover slices in my car when everything was packed up after service. I don’t know who did it, but a very special thank you and blessing over your life. You knew my sugar-depraved heart.

Mad appreciation,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
THIS IS IT! | DAY 40 OF 40 (LENT)

photo (source)

THIS IS IT!
Easter Eve!
Last day of Lent.
Pre-Super-Party!

Didn’t these 40 days fly? Well, some days flew.

Kudos for leaning into the Lord during this season. He is faithful, right?! We received praise after praise report of His faithfulness.

And everything leads up to tomorrow: Easter! Resurrection Sunday!
This is it!

Some may wonder, “What’s the big deal? Why do followers of Christ get so hyped over Easter?”

Why?

Because our hope, our very faith, springs from the truth that Jesus did what He said He would do! He said He would go to Jerusalem, he would be killed, and in 3 days, He would rise again. And that is exactly what happened.

There is an empty tomb.
He is risen!

Day 39:
READ: JOHN 20
The Empty Tomb

SPECIAL APPEARANCES

Jesus first reveals Himself in His risen body to Mary Magdalene (or Mary of Magdala, a town by the Sea of Galilee). How precious is that moment! Then she runs to tell the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.”

When is the last time we ran and told somebody of our encounter with Jesus? Usually, when we first connect with the living God, the risen Savior, our response is, “I’ve got to tell somebody!” Let’s revisit that instinct this Easter. Let’s tell somebody who He is and what He’s done for us!

After appearing to Mary, Jesus visits His disciples. They have locked themselves away, fearing for their own lives against the Jewish religious leaders that orchestrated Jesus’ death.

“Peace be with you!” Jesus greets His disciples.

Never mind that Jesus is passing through locked doors now. He extends so much grace to His disciples. He could’ve said, “Why are you hiding, scared for your lives? Didn’t I tell you I would rise again? Where’s your faith?” But Jesus doesn’t say that. He says, “Peace be with you!” and then He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit”. Wow! What a foretelling of what’s coming at Pentecost. Jesus lays the foundation for what His disciples will need when He ascends to the heavens.

Lastly in this passage, we see Jesus interaction with His disciple Thomas, who has said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

So, Jesus shows up and says, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” After Thomas believes, Jesus says, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

That’s us! We are the ones who have not seen, yet we believe. Jesus says that we are blessed!

Believing without seeing is faith.

Artists believe without seeing all the time. There is no shortage of faith in Hollywood. Believe me! Faith runs rampant. Today, let’s sure up our faith in the One who left the tomb empty.

Jesus goes on to make several appearances to hundreds of people before ascending into the heavenlies to go back to His Father. Paul later recounts that Jesus appears “to Cephas (Peter), and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at the same time… Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles…” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

What a nightmare this has to be for the religious leaders who had Jesus crucified. A whole nation watched this famous Teacher die on a cross, and now a whole nation sees Him alive.

Think about that: You watch a person beaten, nailed and crucified one week. Then you see Him walking around and greeting people the next. We’d probably think He was a ghost. But people see the nail scars in His hands. He is truly resurrected and alive.

I could shout. I’m trying to wait until tomorrow. But excuse me if I get excited here.

All of our hope, our faith can be summed up in 3 words:
He. Is. Risen.

We do not serve a dead God. Our God is alive and He conquered death. He rose from that grave and returned to heaven, just like He said He would. The fact that He conquered death and rose from the grave and returned to His Father, gives us assurance that we will do the same. We will have imperishable, immortal, heavenly bodies just as Jesus did – no more sickness, disease, heartache, headache, no more death. Death is swallowed up. It has no more sting or victory. We have the victory through Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Rejoice, Fam.

If there is no other day in the year that we do somersaults, THIS IS IT!
We have a hope and a future. We know that this world and its problems and its death is only temporary.

Nothing, NOTHING, that we face today is insurmountable. If we can face death, knowing that it has no victory over us, can we not face whatever life throws at us?

And when we have finished our assignment and exhausted all that we came to accomplish on this side of heaven, we have confidence that we don’t just die and cease to exist. We follow Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, who laid down His life that we could have eternal life with Him. And He got up. That tomb is empty.

He is Risen!
Risen indeed!
Naima

P.S. If you’re in LA, we’re having a party tomorrow for Easter: DRAMA, FOOD, FELLOWSHIP. You are more than welcome. To all the rest of our fam, much love to you.

THANK YOU for the privilege of walking with you through this Lent season with this Daily Dose of Hope. Many have said that you would like to continue, that you use this as your daily devotional. Some have said they’d prefer it in a weekly format. We’ll weigh all the options and get back to you by Tuesday. Monday, most likely, will be a day of recuperation. Thanks again. It’s been an
honor.

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
WHY SO CROSSED? | DAY 39 OF 40 (LENT)

The cross is offensive.
It was 2,000 years ago.
It is today.

Wasn’t pretty then.
Ain’t pretty now.

Well, not exactly.
Except when it’s blinged out with diamonds across our necks or mosaic-tiled and stain-glassed in our churches. That’s when we try to beautify it and make it, well, less offensive.

But if we are honest and truly ponder its real meaning and what happened on that “Good” Friday long ago, we’d all be crossed with the Cross.

We wouldn’t get defensive when others react negatively to the mere mention of it. We’d agree. Yes, it was awful. It was atrocious. Nobody deserved that kind of death, especially not the Maker of the world. Where were the human rights groups? Where was PETA and their red paint? Why were people alright with the Roman empire nailing folks to a cross and hanging them in public until they died?

Are you crossed yet?

If not, read what happened to Jesus.
Yes, the cross was meant for criminals and was to serve as a warning to people not to break the law. But, Jesus was innocent. He was the culmination of the Law. Technically speaking, He should’ve never been on that cross.

Day 39:
READ: JOHN 19
The Crucifixion of Jesus

Good Friday is the day when the church mourns and grieves and covers art with black sheets and fasts and prays and laments over the crucifixion. And we should. It was horrible.

But I also submit that we should be outraged and ask the question, Why did God the Father allow His Son Jesus to die like that? Why did Jesus, God the Son, lovingly submit, and agree to such a humiliating and painful experience? Let’s be clear, this was ALLOWED. No one could do anything to harm Jesus that He did not allow to happen. He’s God. So WHY was this allowed?

Why?
Why?!

For us, Fam.

There was no other way to get things right between us, the creation who are born sinful, and our Creator, who is sinless. God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus, who is perfect in every way and lived a completely sinless life, is the only One who could die in our stead and conquer death in the process. And I believe He choose something as ugly as the cross because it symbolizes the death within us that He conquers.

THE OFFENSE OF THE CROSS

Most medieval-type paintings have a comely, fairly clean, malnutritioned-looking Jesus gently placed on the cross. That’s not how it went down. Jesus was a bloody mess – flesh ripped, temples busted, blood coming down his face. He had been beaten and whipped and nailed.

Mel Gibson has gotten a lot of things wrong, but he got right that flogging scene in The Passion of the Christ. I have only been able to sit through it once in my life. There is no way that I could re-live that again and again. I feel the lashes. I smell the blood. It’s visceral.

It’s offensive.

Remember how Jesus told His followers that if they wanted to be His disciples they would have to deny themselves and take up their crosses and follow Him? Luke 9:22-24

Offensive.

Who wants to take up a cross and die?

But that is the way of this walk. And that death is not the end of the story. Jesus says in the same verse in Luke that whoever loses their life for Him, saves it. We can deal with the crucifixion and Good Friday because of the resurrection and Easter Sunday!

We can “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

We can endure our offensive crosses because they are not the end of the story!

WHY SO CROSSED?

So, if people ask why we’re so crossed on this Good Friday, tell them about the offense of the cross. We should be crossed with the cross, and crossed with our sin that put our perfect, sinless Savior there.

But also tell them Easter’s coming and there are no cross-i-tudes on Easter.

All offenses are retired and we will shake the heavens with praise for a Savior who’s risen!

Crossed-Over-But-Not-Out,
Naima

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DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
GOD PEDICURE? | DAY 38 OF 40 (LENT)

GOD pedicure?

That’s the first thought that came to mind when I read today’s passage. I know, I should probably take myself more seriously and ponder deep, theological thoughts about humility and service.

Instead I thought, “What in the world would it have been like to receive a pedicure (foot washing) from Jesus?”

How could the Maker of the world stoop down and wash His creations’ feet?

Feet are personal.
If you don’t think so, try to touch somebody’s that you don’t know.
Or how would you react if they tried to touch yours?
Our natural reflex is to pull back… or kick.

Yet, it’s Maundy Thursday all over the world and that means it’s all about feet and feet washing. It’s the one day a year when churches roll out the basins and towels and people get to splashing.

Want to know where it comes from?

Day 38:
Look below or CLICK: JOHN 13:1-17

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

PREVIOUSLY…

Jesus and His disciples are at the “Lord’s Supper” or the “Last Supper” just before the Passover Festival.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE PEDI?

Jesus, the GOD-Man, humbles Himself, wraps a towel around His waist and starts washing his disciples’ feet. When He is finished, He explains that He has done this as an example for them. If He, their Rabbi and Lord, could humble Himself and serve them, they also ought to be able to humble themselves and serve one another. Upside Down D! (Discipleship) for sure!

There’s an interesting conversation that takes place between Jesus and Peter. I like Peter. He just says what everyone else is thinking.

When Jesus goes to wash Peter’s feet, Peter says, “Are you kidding me? You, the LORD, are going to wash my feet????” (my interpretation).

And Jesus responds with a very curious message: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

That let’s us know that there is a whole lot more going on than the $80 Beverly Hills Gentleman’s Perfect Pedicure package.

In that entire dialogue with Peter, we understand that Jesus is not just talking about a clean body, though that’s a part, but he’s also referring to a clean soul. He cleans the hearts of man.

DO AS I DO

Then Jesus says, “Do as I do.”
In other words, “Follow me.”
If I can wash your feet, you can wash each other’s feet.

What if we all approached one another with this type of humility. It takes a lot to wash somebody’s feet, Fam. I’ve done it and I can say, there is nothing exalted about it.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus chose to do it. Think about it. He could’ve chosen any gesture to pass along to His disciples and the ages to come. He CHOSE foot washing. And then said, DO AS I DO. If I, the LORD, can wash feet, you can wash feet.

THE BLESSING

The last thing Jesus says is that there is a blessing if people do what He is telling them to do.

I can testify to that. There is nothing in our flesh that wants to get down in between somebody’s toes, but there is a spiritual blessing that occurs. When we serve others, our spirit is blessed.

Fam, this life that we have is a gift to be given away.
Jesus, who is God, came to serve.
If we profess to be His followers, than we too, have come to serve.

Now, that doesn’t mean we need to carry a mobile basin and start washing everybody’s feet we encounter. People are funny ’bout their feet.
And I don’t want you to get Karate-Kid-kicked in the head, OK?!

But it might be a good practice today, as we interact with people, to think to ourselves, “How can I serve her?” or “How can I serve him?”

How can we be of service to one another?
A little shift in mindset that could make a massive difference.

From Twinkle-Toes-in-La-La-Land,
Naima

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DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
BETRAYAL AIN’T NO JOKE | DAY 37 OF 40 (LENT)

photo (source)

A picture is worth how many words? The one above is saying something.
Isn’t that how betrayal goes down?

My mom used to share the following advice about judging a person’s character:
“Never trust a liar. A person who lies will steal, and a person who steals will kill.”

Guess my mom knew a thing or two about Judas… or the Judas-type.

This joker, (my terminology, not the Bible’s) Judas was a liar, thief and accomplice to murder. John writes about Judas’ lies and stealing in John 12:4-8 (previous blog: Dinner, Expensive Perfume, Murder Plots). In John 13, we see Judas’ willingness to participate in a murder scheme.

Day 37:
Look below or CLICK: JOHN 13: 21-30

21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

PREVIOUSLY…

Jesus and His disciples are at the “Lord’s Supper” or the “Last Supper”. We’ll explore the beginning of John 13 tomorrow to be in sync with Maundy Thursday and the church worldwide. This event with Judas takes place after Jesus’ intimate discussion with his disciples in preparation for his death.

BETRAYAL REVEALED

Jesus tells his disciples in John 13:18-19 that the following Scripture is about to be fulfilled:
Psalm 41:9
9 Even my close friend,
someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
has turned against me.

I have so many questions.

Why does Jesus allow Judas to become a close friend when He knows Judas’ character is less than stellar? Jesus is God. He knows all things. He knows Judas is a liar and thief before He invites Judas to be a disciple.

Personally, I don’t want friends who steal-behind-my-back-but-not-really-because-I-know-you’re-stealing. I can’t trust them. I don’t want friends who lie. I can’t trust them. One thing you can say about those who are closest to me is that they are honest people: my husband, my closest sister-friends, my brothers. We are not perfect, by no means, but we don’t lie to each other.

Recently, we assembled a stellar team to shoot a promo for my upcoming book and film. We have the BEST crew ever. However, some equipment from our production company ‘comes up missing’. When I get over the shock that someone who is working closely with me could lie to my face and steal from me, I confront him and ask for our stuff back. He pretends like nothing is wrong with what he has done. No apology. No remorse. “Oh, here’s your stuff.”

Fam, would you hire this person for future productions?
Exactly!
But Jesus might.

UPSIDE-DOWN JESUS

Jesus allows Judas to roll with Him for 3 years, knowing that this joker (again, my terminology), will be the ‘close friend who shares my bread that turns against me’.

We’ve been talking about Upside Down D! (Discipleship).
Here it is again. Jesus does things so opposite.

Most of the time, we are blindsided when a friend or someone we love betrays us because we don’t see it coming. That’s what makes it betrayal.

But not Jesus! Jesus sees the betrayal coming from the beginning and still allows the betrayer to hang with Him.

Why? Why?

So that the scriptures might be fulfilled. Jesus cares more about His Father’s will being done than saving Himself.

I confess. I don’t think I could do it. If I knew Judas was the weak link on the team who was open to being used by satan, Judas would’ve gotten the boot. I don’t need a large team, but I need a trustworthy one. I don’t think I could allow Judas to get that close to me if I knew he was going to roll up on me one day with a kiss to hand me over to die. I would’ve been trying to get as far
away from him as possible.

But as I write this, I am sorely convicted, because don’t I betray Christ all the time when I sin? And yet, He doesn’t go as far away from me as possible. He patiently reveals my sin by His Spirit and forgives me when I repent. He doesn’t run me away from communing at His table. He gives me bread and all my daily provision…. knowing I fall short.

This is a marvel to me.
This is what this Holy Week is about.
This is what our entire faith as followers of Christ is about.

Jesus allows Himself to be betrayed, beaten up, broken down and murdered in order to die in our stead. He, who is sinless, dies for all us sinners, as the perfect sacrifice, so that we can be reconciled back to God.

Betrayal is only the beginning. Jesus goes to ‘Hades’ and back again for us. He conquers death and rises from the dead so that we will be able to do the same. It’s a marvel. It’s baffling.

Betrayal ain’t no joke.
But rolling with our betrayer knowing he will betray us? That’s borderline insane… or a miracle.

Jesus leads the way. If we follow Him, we might be asked to do the same… because that’s what He does for us, daily.

Just curious: Could you do it?

Pray for your girl.
And I will pray for you,
Naima

RESPOND or SUBSCRIBE to BLOG below.
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DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
WHAT’S IN THE CLOSET? | Day 36 of 40 (LENT)

photo (source)

Closets are telling.

Who we really are can probably be ascertained by one peek in our closet: our style, personality, priorities, favorite colors, cleanliness.

If our closets could speak, what would they say?

Closets also represent our secrets. And after reading today’s passage, it is evident that we’ve been keeping secrets for a long time, at least 2,000 years.

This is Holy Week. We’re still in John 12.
Check out the BIG SECRET in this closet.

Day 36:
Look below or CLICK: JOHN 12: 42-46
Background: JOHN 12: 37-50

42 Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him [Jesus]. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. 44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

PREVIOUSLY…

Yesterday, John 12:1-11 reveals Mary, the sister of Lazarus, busting open expensive perfume on Jesus, anointing and worshiping Him, and washing His feet with her hair (Dinner, Expensive Perfume, Murder Plots). John 12:12-19 continues with Jesus’ triumphal, kingly entry into Jerusalem on a borrowed colt (Move Over, Hollywood Hills. It’s Our Turn). Next, in John 12:20-36, God speaks from heaven and affirms Jesus before the throngs again, very much like He did when Jesus was baptized. Some people think God’s voice is simply thunder. Others think an angel is speaking. People hear all kinds of things when God speaks, right?

THE BIG SECRET

Even after Jesus has performed many miracles, the scripture says that many of the Jews still refuse to believe that He is the Messiah, in order to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy about their eyes being blind and hearts hardened.

But, then, we see that MANY of the Jewish religious leaders DO believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but they keep their faith in the closet. That’s right! They keep it hush-hush, on the down low. This is like Atlantic Starr Secret Lovers circa 1985. Or stealth mission Black Ops. Nobody’s saying nothing.

Why?

When we place our faith in Jesus as the Christ (Messiah), shouldn’t we want to shout it from the mountaintop? Shouldn’t we want to put on our faith and parade it down the runway for everyone to oooohhhh and ahhhhh?

Apparently not. Apparently, some times, our faith is overthrown by our fear and a need for acceptance from man.

FEAR & ACCEPTANCE

Fear and acceptance are 2 of the most powerful motivators of all time. The Jewish leaders keep their faith in Jesus in the closet because:
1) they are afraid of being put out the synagogue, and
2) they love human praise more than God’s praise.

Before we judge them, can’t we say the same thing about our own lives?
When are we most likely to not reveal our faith in Christ?
1) when we are afraid of losing something dear, and
2) when we desire acceptance by man more than God.

To be kicked out the synagogue is the worst of the worst, especially if you are a leader. You lose everything: status, influence, livelihood.

Are we ready to give up our livelihood for Jesus? Anybody ready to lose everything?

Isn’t people-pleasing so much easier? I’m not saying it’s right, but isn’t it easier to not ruffle the feathers or stir up the waters?

Can I be candid? When I try to people please, and I really do try sometimes, it just doesn’t work out right. Recently, after a big audition for a top-rated network show, the Lord, by His Spirit, impressed upon my heart a question. He said, “Do you love [celebrity producer] more than you want a job on her show? If I asked you to speak truth, would you love her enough to be honest, or would you care too much about trying to land that role on her show?”

In other words, “Naima, do you love the praise of man more than the praise of God?”

Inevitably, the Lord puts me in situations where I have to choose. Does this happen to you? Please tell me you can relate. He’ll allow me to run right into a big ol’ test where I have to choose between loving His praise or loving man’s praise. He wants to know where my allegiance is. What about you?

April 15th is speeding towards us. Is everything legit on your taxes?
You’re married and traveling. Is everything pure up in your hotel room?
You’re single and fab. Is everything on the up and up in your relationships?

We’re artists in Hollywood and believe in Christ. Would anyone know it if we didn’t have crosses around our necks? Can anyone tell by our actions? Do we openly acknowledge our faith? Or are we doing just like the religious leaders and keeping our faith in the closet?

What’s in our closet?
Is faith in there?
Somewhere?

Please excuse my grammatical departure, but “our faith ain’t helping nobody locked up in the closet”.

If faith is in the closet, let’s open the door and let it out!
Shake off the moth balls. Air it out. Take it to the cleaners. Whatever we need to do to get it in working order again.

Jesus says He came into the world as light so that nobody who believes in Him should stay in darkness.

What’s with all the secrets?
We should be able to stand on the top of Mt. Lee by the HOLLYWOOD sign and have all our dirty laundry aired out so that only the light remains.

Let’s make a decision to open up the closets today, acknowledge our faith in Jesus as the Christ, and love the praise of God more than the praise of man.

Whew, this one’s a little challenging today, isn’t it?
Anybody else feel exposed?
Geez, I’m exhausted,
Naima

RESPOND or SUBSCRIBE to BLOG below.
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DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
DINNER, EXPENSIVE PERFUME, MURDER PLOTS | Day 35 of 40 (LENT)

Dinner, expensive perfume, murder plots… sounds like an episode of “Dallas” that TNT is resurrecting in June. But this isn’t about who shot J.R.  This is the life of Jesus, six days before the Passover.

It’s Holy Week: our final week of reflection, fasting and prayer leading up to Easter Celebration on Sunday. So many praise reports have poured in over this 40-day Lenten season. Be encouraged, Fam! God is ever present and faithful.

This week, we reflect on the events leading up to Passover, the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus… starting with that dinner, a very expensive jar of perfume and a murder plot.

Let’s look at the text.
Day 35:
Look below or CLICK: JOHN 12: 1-11

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.  7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”  9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

THE DINNER

Talk about a celebration! Jesus has performed a miracle and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Lazarus and his family throws a dinner in Jesus’ honor. Lazarus’ oldest sister Mary serves as the consummate host and Lazarus is kicked back at the table with Jesus. Enter Lazarus’ sister, Mary.

THE EXPENSIVE PERFUME

Mary takes a jar of pure nard, an expensive perfume, that is worth a year’s wages and pours it on the feet of Jesus. If that’s not enough, she then wipes his feet with her hair. Scandalous!

Can you imagine the disdain on the faces of the guests as a woman – a woman! – starts pouring perfume on the Rabbi and wiping his feet with her hair. First of all, why is she taking her hair down in public? Why is she spilling expensive perfume that fills the room? Why is she touching a man that is not her husband, in public, and this is the Rabbi? This is Jesus, the miracle-working Rabbi! Clutch the pearls! Tip the tiara!

Mary doesn’t care. She debases herself for Him. This is the lowest she can go… at His feet. Mary’s Jewish roots reveal that she’s a little different than most 21st century ‘not-gone-get-my-hair-wet’ sisters. Not only does she get her hair wet, but she washes Jesus’ feet with that wet hair. She has to look a hot mess, a mixture of tears, perfume, dust, dirt. Oh my!

And let’s deal with the perfume. This nard that Mary uses is no joke. Thieving Judas complains that Mary is being wasteful in pouring a perfume that is worth a year’s wages on Jesus’ feet.

That year’s wages is estimated at about 300 denarii. Matthew 20:2 estimates that 1 denarius is the daily wage of a dayworker at 12 hours a day. So, if an agricultural worker receives 1 denarius per day for 12 hours of work, he would have to work 3,600 hours to get 300 denarii. That’s a man’s wages. We can only imagine how long Mary has to save up for that amount of money. Some scholars say it would’ve been her life’s savings or her dowry.

It’s hard to get an accurate conversion rate (see article) with our US current exchange being so different today; but if we take California’s minimum wage of $8.00 and multiply that by 3,600 hours, that’s about $28,800. That may not seem like a lot of money to some people today, but let’s put it in perspective.

The federal poverty line for a 1-person household is $11,170. I recently heard a report that only 1% of professional actors made above the poverty line in the year.  I wish I could’ve gotten a hard copy of the report. They weren’t giving them out at the workshop I attended, but I wrote down the figures. The report said that approximately 10% of our professional actors worked in the year. And 10% of those 10% who worked (that’s 1%) made more than $10,000 a year. So, 99% of professional actors made below the US federal poverty line.

Hang with me. I have a point! If the normal professional actor today were a “Mary” per se, it would take him/her over 2.5 years to save up enough “dinero” for this perfume to bust on Jesus’ feet.

On a ridiculous side note, I Googled “Most Expensive Perfumes”, to see the cost of fragrances these days. I’m a mist kind of girl, so I really didn’t know. Luxatic.com lists Clive Christian’s Imperial Majesty Perfume [PHOTO ABOVE] as the most expensive perfume in the world at $215,000 per diamond crusted bottle. That must’ve been a couple of years ago, because it’s listed now at $435,000 on Amazon.com. Luxatic says there are only 20 bottles made in the world. Yeah.

With my last posts, it could seem like I’m infatuated with the cost of stuff. But the truth is that I’m shocked as I’m doing the research for this blog, and I want to share my deer-in-the-headlights astonishment with you. I had no idea a car could cost $1.6 million or a bottle of perfume could cost $435,000. But I guess it’s all relative. Hey, I’m a southern belle from Augusta, GA who ended up in the Hills. We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Back to Mary. The point is she pours her all onto the feet of Jesus in an extraordinary sign of worship. Jesus rebukes Judas and tells him to leave Mary alone because she has used this perfume to prepare Him for burial. It’s all about perspective. What Judas tries to make out as  extravagance and excess, Jesus says is done for His memorial.

What have we poured out for Jesus’ lately?

It may not be a bottle of perfume, but would we consider lavishly dumping what is most valuable to us, 2.5 years of wages or our life’s savings on the feet of our Lord in worship? That’s a hard question. Let me know what you come up with.

THE MURDER PLOT

Now, Mary’s brother, Lazarus, is a bona fide problem to the religious establishment. Lazarus is a walking-talking-brought-back-from-the-DEAD-miracle. And people are coming from all over to look at him. In the process, they are believing that Jesus is the Messiah because He is the one who spoke to the tomb and commanded Lazarus to come out of it.

The chief priests and Pharisees have already started plotting the murder of Jesus (John 11:45-57), but now they decide they have to take Lazarus out too. This is like JFK and MLK assassination plots on steroids. This would be the equivalent of folks not only calling Dr. King’s home to make death threats, but also threatening to bomb anybody he helped along the way.

Yesterday, in my sermon, I made the point that sometimes we don’t want to go through hard times. In this case, Lazarus dies. But Jesus says that Lazarus’ death and subsequent resurrection is for God’s glory. So it is with us. When we go through circumstances that feel like death, yet live, people flock and marvel and point to us as living testimonies of God’s resurrection power.

Unfortunately, that may also mean that there are some murder plots along the way. When people start believing that Jesus is the Messiah because of the testimony of our lives, we may become the central storyline of our own episode of “Who Shot J.R.?”

Jesus says in just 2 chapters before, in John 10:10, that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”, but Jesus comes that we “may have life, and have it abundantly”. Life is somewhat dangerous rolling with Jesus. Life is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but it’s definitely not “safe” all the time. It’s abundant in Him and we are “safe” in Him, but our circumstances are not guaranteed to be “safe” all the time.

The religious leaders plot to murder Lazarus because his life testifies to the amazing power of God. Why do we think we’re entitled to sip fancy umbrella drinks under tropical cabañas all the time? There’s nothing wrong with fabulous vacations or robust living, but I marvel when I hear followers of Jesus making demands on God to make our daily lives one big spa getaway. I’m like, ‘What Bible are you reading? Have you read the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, an epistle or two?’ Folks that follow Jesus many times get a beat down and some times lose their lives. Perspective, Fam.

It’s Holy Monday.
I can’t promise you $435,000 perfume.
Or that you won’t star in a murder plot, Lord forbid.

But I can promise that if we honor the Lord and worship Him and bust open our 2.5 years of savings on His feet, Jesus Himself will defend us, just as He defends Mary. Can’t you hear Him telling our enemy, “Leave her alone! What she does is for my remembrance!”

Let that be our goal today:
That whatever we do is for His remembrance.

Your fellow hair-is-a-mess-foot-washer,
Naima

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DAILY PRAYER ([LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
HOLLYWOOD HILLS CRYING OUT! | Day 34 of 40 (LENT)

It’s 4 AM and I’m rockin’!

I’m listening to Maurette Brown Clark’s “No Rocks” because today’s passage is where Jesus says, ‘If they (disciples) keep quiet, the stones will cry out!’

When I got to that verse, I immediately heard Maurette’s song:

You don’t have to pump and pry me
For I know just how good You have been
You don’t even have to bribe me
Because You’ve proven Yourself over and over again

I love to praise You
In my praise, I find liberty
If I don’t praise You
The rocks will cry out for me
Don’t need no rocks crying out for me…
(c) 1998 Maurette Brown Clark, Zomba Enterprises

I love that. It’s not perfect English, but hey, I don’t need no rocks crying out for me!

I’m a visual person. The artist in me hears that phrase and sees the Hollywood Hills shouting and worshiping God. Can you see it?

Two wonderful friends recently invited me to hike up to Griffith Park Observatory where you can see Mount Lee and the HOLLYWOOD sign in the distance. It was amazing. I’m still trying to find my legs, but what if I stood on the mountaintop and silenced those peaks:

“Shhhh, it’s my turn to praise God! You’ve been hollerin’ all day. Give a sister a chance to get a shout in, please!”

Can you see it?

I’ve never had a problem with vision. I see stuff – in 6-D, high definition, super-technicolor. I see it! Every peak shouts God’s glory!

Whether in Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, the Grand Canyon or Stone Mountain (shout out to my GA fam!), I hope that every time you pass a mountain in the future, you’ll say,
“Shhh! It’s my turn!”

Let’s look at the text.
Day 34:
Look below or CLICK: LUKE 19: 37-40
Entire passage: LUKE 19: 28-44

37 When he [Jesus] came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Jesus is making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a borrowed colt. Throngs of people spread their coats and palm branches along the road. As He descends near the Mount of Olives, all the disciples start shouting and praising and blessing their King.

This is no cute hand pump or whatever we’re doing in church these days. The word used for “cry” is like screaming or croaking. One scholar describes it as the sound a woman gives in labor. Another says that word describes a war cry. This is not composed. It’s full-fledged, all-out hollering.

Yesterday, we talked about blind Bartimaeus hollering for Jesus in order to be healed and gain his sight. Well, this display is Bartimaeus times a thousand.

The Pharisees have had enough. This is blasphemous to them. They tell Rabbi Jesus to stop His disciples from this public praise party.

Maybe Jesus would have, if it wasn’t His final entrance. Up to this point, He has been telling His disciples, many of the people He’s healed, even demons, not to tell His true identity as the Christ, the Messiah, the King. But now, Jesus’ answer is different.

He tells the Pharisees, “If they (my disciples) keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Certainly the Pharisees, who knew the Scriptures inside and out, would’ve heard a reference to Habakkuk’s prophecy that the very stones and wood of the houses the arrogant Babylonians built off the destruction of others would cry out against them: “Surely the stone will cry out from the wall, and the rafter will answer it from the framework.” (Habakkuk 2:8-11)

This idea of God’s creation testifying against God’s created beings runs deep.

And Jesus, Maker of the world (John 1:3), makes it clear that if man stops rendering Him praise, what He’s made (stones, rocks, hills) will keep on going. There is no interruption on the glory that is extolled upon our God. There is a continual chorus going on in the heavenlies even as I write this. I just want to get in on it.

I don’t need no rocks crying out for me.
Move over Hollywood Hills.
“Shhhh! It’s my turn!”

What about you?
Got a praise?!
Let’s tell the rocks to hush so we can bless our King.
Naima

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Our weekends through LENT are times of reflection and thanksgiving. Traditionally, during Lent, SUNDAYS are considered mini-celebrations (symbolizing Christ’s resurrection) following FRIDAYS’ special times of fasting (symbolizing His death). Thus, LENT starts on Ash Wednesday and goes for 46 days ending Easter, but the 6 Sundays are excluded, equaling 40 days. We make a sacrifice of something meaningful for the entire 40 days, but Sundays are excluded. So, Saturday, you’ll get a devotional that you can meditate on for the entire weekend. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks.

DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.