DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
HERE WE GO AGAIN



©ABC News, WATCH VIDEO, photo source

“Here we go again…”

Thus begins yesterday’s note from Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts about her new diagnosis.

Robin blogs, “Here we go again. As many of you know, 5 years ago I beat breast cancer. I’ve always been a fighter, and with all of your prayers and support, a winner. Sometimes the treatment for cancer can cause other serious medical problems. Today, I want to let you know that I’ve been diagnosed with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. It’s a disease of the blood and bone marrow and was once known as preleukemia. My doctors tell me I’m going to beat this — and I know it’s true.”

Robin made the announcement yesterday at the end of Good Morning America (GMA) that she found out the MDS diagnosis on the very day that GMA beat The Today Show in ratings for the first time in 16 years. She also mentioned landing the biggest interview of her career with President Obama on the same day that she had a bone marrow extraction test.

“Talk about highs and lows,” she said.

Here’s the thing.
Oddly enough, Kevin and I are included in the small percentage of people who can actually say we know what Robin is going through.

The first year of our marriage, Kevin was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. We went through 6 months of chemotherapy to eradicate the cancer, and it worked, praise God! But, then we had a scare, quite like Robin’s. Kevin’s final scans showed what looked like a new mass, and we begin preparing for him to undergo a complete bone marrow transplant.

When Robin talks about having a bone marrow extraction and a drill in her back, we remember that. When she talks of the highs and lows, we are right there, Sister!

And Robin’s right – going through cancer treatment can result in a lot of other ailments. Kevin got shingles, which stems from chicken pox virus, because the chemo knocked out his immune system and it could no longer keep the virus in check. The doctors give medication for nausea, but that might cause constipation. Then, you get medication for constipation, and that may cause cramping. And on and on. Medical roller coaster.

Now in our case, Kevin was spared. After months of preparation and more tests than we care to count, our surgeons ruled the new “mass” to be benign scar tissue. Crisis averted (sigh). For a little while, anyway. :=) We were relieved and are still eternally grateful that Kevin has been cancer-free for almost ten years now.

We will be praying for Robin, and we ask that you pray too. We have the unique experience of being able to pray specifically, having walked through some of her journey; but all of us can lift up our sister and fellow follower of Christ.

Here’s truth:

The only point that caused me pause in Robin’s note that I wanted to bring out this morning is the statement that “God only gives us what we can handle…”

This is a wonderful Americanism that has been passed off as God’s word for a long time. Many Christians quote this as a way to encourage each other through our hard times. Some even said it to Kevin and me as we journeyed through cancer.

While it may sound good, I just need to take a second today to bring truth to light, no disrespect to Ms. Robin, of course. The statement that “God only gives us what we can handle” is simply not true. It’s also stated as “God will not give us more than we can bear.”

The scripture that this statement is referring to is:
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

The truth is this passage is about God not allowing us to be tempted to sin beyond what we can handle. When we are tempted to sin, meaning do things that break our relationship with God, there is always another option where we can, in the words of Spike Lee, “Do the right thing!”

That scripture has nothing to do with enduring the sometimes crappy circumstances that are a result of living in a fallen world. It’s true that God allows hardships in our lives, but He’s not up in heaven like, “Watch! I’m going to let her have cancer. I’m going to let him lose a child. They can handle it!”

I don’t have sufficient time this morning to unpack suffering and ‘why bad things happen to good people?’ or ‘how can a good God allow bad things?’ or ‘why did Job lose everything?’. Perhaps we can do that in a future blog. My point is that God is utterly benevolent, and is not throwing stuff on us to see if we can bear them.

Our lives are full of situations that we cannot handle.
The Bible is full of people with circumstances they cannot handle.
The Psalms are full of songs about events that people cannot handle.

As a matter of fact, Psalms 55:22 says: “Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you…” God knows we can’t handle these hardships. So He says, “Throw them on me. I’ll carry you.”

Robin says all throughout her interview that her faith will sustain her. She is depending on God. She has not walked away from her faith. She’s leaning on God. What an incredible testimony!

I really am not trying to be hurtful in any way. I just want us all to frame our worldview in truth. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll think twice before we tell another brother or sister that they’re going to be fine in whatever circumstance they might be facing because God knows “they can handle it.”

Let’s all cast our burdens upon the Lord because He knows (and we know) that we can’t handle it, whatever ‘it’ is.

Our Prayer

We lift Robin up and stand with her for the Lord to heal her body. We pray that the bone marrow transplant will be successful. We pray that her body will not reject the marrow from her sister. We pray for her and her sister to recover quickly. We pray for Robin’s immune system to be strengthened, even during the chemo. We pray that she will not have adverse side effects. We pray for every doctor, surgeon, oncologist, medical professional, that God gives them wisdom, supernatural insight and truth at every turn. We pray that nothing will be hidden, but all things made plain. We pray that through the entire journey, the Lord will be so close to Robin and draw her close to Him. We pray that He will sustain and provide everything that she needs.

Lots of love to Robin.
Lots of love to you, Fam,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
HEART OF AN ARTIST



© CBS, Tony Awards, photo source

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW the true heart of an artist…
take 90 seconds and watch the acceptance speech (video above) of now 5-Time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald from last night’s historic win for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for the revival, “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess“.

For the sake of full disclosure, I have to admit that “Porgy and Bess” is not my favorite musical. Frankly, I’m ready for stories that show people of color with hope that don’t revolve around drug addiction and sexual exploitation. But that being said, I am proud of Audra and all that she has accomplished.

This is the first win for Audra in the Leading Role category, but she joins the elite circle of 5-time winners including Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris; Audra being the first African American. Trained at The Julliard School, Audra, won 4 previous Tony Awards for Featured roles in A Raisin in the Sun, Master Class, Carousel and Ragtime, 3 of which she won before the age of 30. Add that to 2 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Award nominations, and a former series regular role on ABC’s Private Practice, the 41-year old mommy has been pretty busy.

With tears streaming down her flawless makeup, Audra laid bare her heart, “I was a little girl with a pot belly and afro puffs, hyperactive and over-dramatic. And I found the theatre, and I found my home. I found a place to express myself. And I was so grateful, even at the age of 9. And to think that the theatre would be so good to me. It’s mind blowing…”

AN ARTIST’S HEART

Family within our faith community ask me all the time, “What was she thinking?” or “What was he doing?” when they hear artists’ horror stories hitting the media. But if we can understand that what drives artists is what drives all of us, I think it would help us understand one another better.

Two of our most important, basic needs as human beings are:
1) To find our home (safety)
2) To express ourselves (purpose)

Audra said when she found the theatre, she both – found her home and found the place where she could freely express herself.

Notice, the theatre was a safe place, a haven where she could be herself, where she could be who God created her to be: a 9-year old with a pot belly, afro puffs, hyperactive and over-dramatic.

Can I ask a challenging question?

Can artists say this about our faith communities and churches today? Can we find our home, a safe place to express themselves, in the family of God? Many that I meet, on a weekly basis here in the LaLa, recount stories of rejection, abuse and harm from Christians. I’m constantly apologizing for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, things that we’ve said and done out of sheer ignorance or disdain.

The truth is that I’ve also been on the receiving end of some of the attacks. The difference is that I know we’re family, so I have a strong motivation to work things out. I’m not going to leave my faith in God because somebody in His family acts out, so I learn to forgive and how to pray for people.

OFFENSES

Offenses go both ways.

The artistic community could also be more sensitive to the family of faith. We could try to understand that the first 5 minutes of the Tony Awards could be utterly offensive to many Christians. Opening the awards show with last year’s Best Musical winner, The Book of Mormon is not the way to endear ourselves to people of faith, though I’m pretty sure that offense is the point of the entire musical from the writers who created the controversial cartoon, South Park.

Most Christians would say that they do not believe what Mormons believe; so when they see the Tonys open with such a flippant use of the name of their Lord, it’s a turn off. Many Christians don’t know what to do with Judas as a rock star making accusations against Christ in the production of Jesus Christ Superstar or the teeny-bopping portrayal in Godspell.

People of faith are thinking, “What in the world are you doing with our faith?” Don’t portray us like that.

UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER

Kevin and I work relentlessly to build a bridge between our two seemingly different worlds of “ministry” and “industry”. But they’re really not all that different. Why? Because 1) we consider all of life as ministry, which means service, and 2) whether serving as full-time vocational ministers or Hollywood producers, we’re essentially called to care for people.

We’re all PEOPLE. That’s the common ground.

What brings all of us together is that we are all people. We all need a safe place. We all need a home. We all need a place to express ourselves.

In dealing with relationships and how His followers are to treat people, Jesus says we are to love people, including those we consider to be our enemies.

MATTHEW 5:43-48
The Message
43-47″You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. 48″In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

Jesus says God provides sun and rain for everyone. He extends His grace to those who trust Him as well as those who don’t. Are we not to follow His lead? Do we only embrace those who agree with us? Or do we love people as God loves them?

Be clear: God is not overlooking the fact that some people reject Him. When it’s all said and done, we will all be held accountable for what we’ve decided about God and His Son. But in the meantime, Jesus seems to be saying, “Love people.”

HEART EACH OTHER

In other words, let’s heart each other.
Love is paramount.

Audra ended her speech with a declaration of love to her family and then to her daughter. She said, “This is an amazing night for Mommy, but February 14, 2001, the day you were born, is the best night ever! Never forget that. I love you.”

You just know that Audra’s daughter will also have a safe place that’s home, that Audra will provide a place for her to freely express herself.

We should do the same for one another.
Let’s help each other find home, the safe place where we can freely express ourselves.
Let’s care for each other’s hearts, not try to break them. :=)

Heart-mending,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
THEATRE, TONY AWARDS & ENGAGING CULTURE

©Tony Awards, CBS Sun June 10th, 8 pm

Tony, Tony, Tony!
Awards, that is!
(Not the music group, Tony! Toni! Toné!)

They’re back. The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre aka The Tony Awards will air LIVE this Sunday at 8 PM ET. The award garners its name from the co-founder of the American Theatre Wing, the organization that created and sponsors the awards.

For those of us who are theatre babies, it’s the coronation ball.
For the rest of world, probably not so much.
And for the faith-filled world, it’s Tony what?! :=)

Now, before my faith fam clicks away, journey with me for a minute.

A couple of things you may find interesting:

First, Condola Rashād, 25, daughter of Phylicia Rashād, has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for Stick Fly, which was co-produced by Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys. Phylicia, fellow Howard University Alum best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, became the first African-American actress to win the Tony Award in 2004 for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for A Raisin in the Sun. Like mother like daughter. Not bad for Condola’s first time on Broadway.

Secondly, I wouldn’t want to be competing in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play category. Whew! Heavy hitters. Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Earl Jones, Frank Langella, John Lithgow! Geez! It’s like a Who’s Who of not just theatre, but TV & Film.

Which brings me to the crossover effect! Did anybody watch NBC’s breakout hit Smash, co-produced by Steven Spielberg? Broadway staples like Megan Hilty and Bernadette Peters (whom I had to privilege to work with on Lifetime’s Living Proof) finally received a vehicle into prime time. I’ve never really been a fan of lead Katharine McPhee (American Idol runner up, Season 5), but if you ever want to get a snapshot of the behind-the-scenes scandal of our theatrical world, Smash nails it.

I’m not saying you have to watch the Awards on Sunday, especially if you’re not familiar with the shows on Broadway; but I do think it would be incredible if you took a second and looked at the Tony website, to figure out what’s actually nominated and ask the question, “Why?”

THEATRE

The arts, in general, and theatre, in particular, have consistently been the great barometer of our society. If you want to know where a nation is headed in a couple of decades, look at what’s playing on its stages now 8 shows a week, Tuesday through Sunday. That’s where the intellects, who make the decisions that affect the whole country, gather to engage, feel, think, and experience.

The very issues that are playing out politically today played first on our stages in the early 1990s and 2000s. Our faith fam are alarmed and trying to
figure out what in the world happened, and my usual answer is, “We left.”

What do I mean?

Instead of engaging culture and staying in the arenas that really matter to hold the dialogues, bring the truth perspective that we are privileged to have, and shine brightly as light as we’ve been commissioned to do, we opted to take our ball from the game, go home, and start our own game in our own backyard with just us and a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the fence.

ENGAGING CULTURE

Emmy Award-winning producer, the late Bob Briner, wrote an entire book about this phenom in 1993 called Roaring Lambs: A Gentle Plan to Radically Change Your World. Briner said that he wrote “with the hope that Christian young people will choose careers and professions that will place them in the ‘culture shaping’ venues of our world” i.e. film, television, theatre, literature, visual arts, and the academies. He dared ask the question, “Where are all the Christians?”

Well, today, I’d like to piggy back on Briner’s charge and invite followers of Christ back into the cultural dialogue, and not necessarily with a boycott sign. While that may soothe the inner voice that says, “I did something!”, boycotting doesn’t involve relationships – you know, rolling up our sleeves and doing life with folks – talking, arguing, loving, respecting.

Why are we so afraid to get in public, and love and respect people enough to intelligently disagree? Notice, I didn’t say, ‘burn books’. I’m advocating to pick up the books, read them, and intelligently and articulately disagree where truth is concealed. Jesus did it all the time. But He actually disagreed more with the religious leaders. Go figure! Might’ve had something to do with being called to the nation of Israel first.

Paul, on the other hand, called to Gentiles, lit it up. Have you read the Book of Acts? What about Acts 17? Paul’s discourse in Athens on Mars Hill placed him right smack dead in the middle of the market place with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, Jews, God-fearing Gentiles, and everything in between. Paul didn’t get upset when people disagreed or sneered at him. He didn’t swoon and say, “Woe is me! Secular men don’t agree with me!” He spoke truth. Some believed. Some didn’t. Who believes is not up to Paul anyway. He does his part, which is to engage in the dialogue.

Let’s do that!
Engage in culture.
Engage in the dialogue.

Briner reminds us repeatedly in his book of Jesus’ call in the Book:

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

WHO’S THE LIGHT?

We’re the light of the world, Fam.
The world is not the light of the world.
Blind can’t lead the blind.

We’re the light and we’re not supposed to hide off in our own little corner with our own little agenda for only us to enjoy. We’re called to let our light shine so that others will see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

Go represent, Fam!
Go be the light wherever you are.
Shine!

PRAY FOR US

And do me a favor: Instead of the default set on ‘bash’, please pray for our fellow fam that are called to be light in the theatre world and on Broadway and on TV and in films. Pray, pray, pray! We need your prayers and support and love. We’re doing our best to be light. And we’ve got opposition coming from all sides, especially from our family of faith.

So, please, intercede for us. Stand in the gap.
Pray for us like we’re your children & if we are your children, even more so.
Pray for the Lord to infuse us with His Spirit and add oil to our fire.
Pray for Him to give us wisdom, discernment and courage not to compromise.
Pray for us to love people like God loves people, and stand fearless as witnesses for truth.

We’ve been given a beautiful gift of expression that is able to transform hearts and minds. Pray for purity of our gifts in place of perversions. And especially pray for our motives – that we would remain humble and close to the Lord. His Spirit is able to convict us. Trust God. He will lead and guide us. We ask for your prayers.

And I don’t do this a lot, but I specifically ask for your prayers for me and Kevin as we share God’s word and love with the dream makers and dream chasers here in Beverly Hills and Hollywood. This is our family, just like our faith family, and we are doing our best to translate languages on both sides so that there is more understanding… kind of like a bridge of sorts.

Why? Because we want to be a part of the conversation and the arts platform today that shapes the culture that affects our children 20 years from now. Don’t you?!

Shine, Light. Shine!
Naima

P.S. We’re preaching for our doctoral residency on Friday, so no new blog tomorrow. :=(
This blog will post today and tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
WHEN LIFE’S A CIRCUS



©Cirque du Soleil, photo source

Ever feel like life resembles the Cirque du Soleil rehearsal pictured above?

You’re balancing, one leg up, while hopping from back to back of colleagues who are trying to jump rope, half-bent, simultaneously?

Yes. That just about sums it up.

Welcome to the great balancing act: family, faith, career, bills, health, school, friends, perform, jump, jump, jump!

Yet, we pay lots of money to go to the circus. Why?

Because the artists have spent thousands of hours mastering their balancing acts, and we gain inspiration from watching them defy all odds to make it to the end of line and somersault off into a Perfect 10 landing. Maybe we can do the same? Figuratively, of course!

What may be even more amazing than admiring the performers’ ability to balance is understanding that many of them consider the circus to be one of the most stable, balanced lives ever. Really?!

I recently met a talented former circus performer who now lives in our City of Angels. She described her time in the circus as the most stable, consistent time in her life. She received a steady paycheck (of which most went directly to savings), lodging and living provisions, and a built-in family on the road.

“We had it so good,” she reminisced.

Fascinating! I had erroneously assumed that life in the circus was indeed… a circus. Not so!

Could it be the same with our own lives?

Could things sometimes look like a circus, but are actually more stable and balanced? Or maybe things are really imbalanced and crazy, but because of our faith, we don’t have to get all out of sorts with the circumstances? Is it possible to live between the tension of daily balance and imbalance without completely becoming undone?

I’m reminded of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians in which he encourages his readers repeatedly to rejoice in the midst of their circumstances. Towards the end of the letter, as Paul thanks them for sending aid for his ministry, he also explains that he has learned to live in contentment, no matter what’s going on in life. In other words, he’s learned to balance the circus. (My interpretation :=)

Philippians 4:11-13
…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Paul says the secret to being content in any and every situation is recognizing his dependency on Christ. Pretty cool.

So whether life feels like a circus (jump, jump, jump!) or it’s a time when “We have it so good!”, we can remain steady as we find contentment through our dependency on our Lord.

That gives me so much hope!
What about you?!

Your fellow high flying trapeze artist in my dreams,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
NEVER TOO LATE TO FOLLOW OUR DREAMS



photo source ©Getty Images

Two-time Emmy Award-winning actress Kathryn Joosten (best known as nosy neighbor Karen McKluskey on Desperate Housewives) passed last Friday after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 72. What most people don’t know is that Kathryn decided to become an actress at the age of 42. That’s right!

It’s reported that Ms. Kathryn made a career change from a psychiatric nurse to a community theater actress at the age of 42! Then, she moved to Hollywood to pursue television and film at the age of 56. Within 3-4 years, she landed the notable recurring role of the President’s secretary on West Wing when she was just shy of 60. At 66, she won her first Emmy Award for Desperate Housewives and she won her second in 2008, so she would’ve been what- 69?!

It’s never too late, Fam!
What is for you is for you.

Kathryn is not alone. Morgan Freeman, 75, became “Morgan Freeman” at the age of 50 when he gained notoriety in Driving Miss Daisy. Betty White, 90, is working more now than ever before – two television shows, films, Super Bowl commercials! I met her agent recently and he’s having a ball trying to keep up with her.

Fam, if you feel like time is not on your side, I challenge you today to think again.
It’s never too late!

Look at Moses.

The first 40 years of his life was in Pharaoh’s palace in Egypt. Then, he killed an Egyptian guard and became a fugitive on the backside of a desert for the next 40 years. At the age of 80, yes 8-0, Moses was called by God to deliver God’s people from Egypt and then lead them around the desert for another 40 years.

EXODUS 3 is fascinating.
If you have time to read it, please do.

Moses responds to God’s calling, at age 80, as many of us do at 20, 30, 40, 50. He asks God:
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

God didn’t ask Moses, “Who are you?”
God said, “I’ve heard the cry of my people. Go tell Pharaoh to let them go.”
In other words, “Go meet the need.”

I don’t know what you’ve got going on today and what God has called you to do and what you dream of doing, but it’s probably best to start with eyes on God, not on ourselves.

This passage is so rich, and I don’t have all the time to unpack it. But I hope that you’re encouraged today, especially by Kathryn’s life.

Kathryn launched out at 42 and moved to Hollywood at 56. She quit smoking when she was diagnosed with cancer the first time back in 2001, and kept on working. She conquered the first go round, and she became a spokesperson and fought til the end. She even was so courageous as to die of cancer on the finale of Desperate Housewives just weeks before her real life departure. Thank you Kathryn for sharing your journey with the world. Our prayers are with your loved ones.

Fam, it doesn’t matter how old we are.
It’s never too late to follow our dreams.
It’s never too late to fulfill God’s calling.

Go forth!
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
BEGINNING OF AN END



photo source

Today marks the beginning of an end.
Today, I start my 3rd and final Doctorate in Ministry residency.
Praise. The. Lord.

Talbot School of Theology at BIOLA has a great preaching D.MIN program. I am privileged to be the first female in our cohort. That being said, it’s been a long road, and I am chasing down the light at the end of the tunnel! Once I complete this term, it’s on to writing my dissertation. Putting on my Nikes, Fam! Run, Forrest, Run!

So, for the next 2 weeks, I apologize in advance for not urgently answering each call, email, text, Facebook and Twitter post. I will be buried, only coming up for air to take a shower, kiss my husband good night and preach on Sunday.

If you pass me on the I-5 and it looks like I’m talking to myself about the 4 horsemen in Revelation or the 4 creatures covered with eyes or the 24 elders that can’t seem to help themselves, but instead keep falling down to worship at God’s throne, just smile and wave. It’ll be over soon.

I’m reminded of a short verse in Ecclesiastes. Remember this?

ECCLESIASTES 7:8
8 Endings are better than beginnings.
Patience is better than pride.

Isn’t that the truth?

Most endings, especially in film, are better than their beginnings. Simba has to become the new Lion King, Luke Skywalker has to destroy the Death Star, and E.T. has got to go home. Wonderful endings!

Such it is with life.
The last day of school is definitely better than the first. The satisfaction of finishing a project is better than starting it. Celebrations are for the accomplished, not beginners.

So, what ending are you writing right now?
What are you finishing up?
It’s looking better and better, right?

Kudos to Bryanna and Alaina and all the graduates who are walking across stages this week. You thought it would never end, didn’t you? Look at you now!

Best to all those who are receiving promotions and advancements. You’ve been praying for a long time. You’ve been patient and steady and humble. So happy for you.

Congrats to the artists who just landed new roles, gigs and/or representation in the game.
Go forth, Fam!

Ain’t the end better than the beginning?

Be encouraged, Fam.
Your end doesn’t have to look like the beginning. You’ve still got time to switch things up, if need be. And if you can’t decide which ending you like best, just write three i.e. Lord of the Rings, anyone?

Whether you’re at the beginning, in the middle, or you can finally see the light at the end, hang in there. What an end it shall be!

Happy Monday!
So glad I don’t have a date with those 4 horsemen!
They’ve got a lot going on,
Naima

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
BRAND NEW DAY!

©Universal Studios

Can’t you feel a brand new day!
Can’t you feel a brand new day!

Anybody remember this break out song produced by Quincy Jones and written by Luther Vandross for The Wiz, the 1978 Motown-produced, Universal-distributed urbanized version of The Wizard of Oz starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor?

It’s the most triumphant scene of the movie. Evillene has been destroyed. Her captives are set free. Michael Jackson boogies. Diana twirls on a table. The liberated peel off the creature outfits they’ve been subjected to for so long and then celebrate in their underwear. Oh, freedom! LOL!

I make light of it, but seriously, I woke up this morning kind of heavy – got so much on the plate. I journaled about it, got in the Word, and somewhere between I Kings and 2 Kings, Elijah and Elisha, faith kicked in, and I felt like joining Diana on top of the table.

Have you looked at God’s exploits through these 2 prophets?

Fire from heaven
Massive rain to end droughts
Earthquakes
Liberating folks from debt
Raising children from the dead
Miracles, Fam!

When Elijah is about to be taken up to heaven, Elisha witnesses more miracles.

2 KINGS 2
Excerpt: 8-14

8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. 10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” 11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two. 13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

Chariots of Fire! Horses of fire. Whirlwinds to heaven! Seas parting.
It does not get much better than this.
Where are Steven Spielberg, George Lucas or Peter Jackson when you need them?

Is anybody else encouraged?

I read this and I realize how out of this world our God is!
His power defies the limitations of this earth. And He empowers His servants to do the straight miraculous. Elijah parted a sea, went out blazing, left his cloak, which Elisha inherited and turned around and did the same thing, started parting seas! Elisha then followed in Elijah’s footsteps and started meeting the needs of the people.

Brand new day, Fam!
Brand new day!

We don’t serve a wimpy dead god. We serve the Creator of the ends of the earth – the great Resurrector of the dead. And He empowers his servants to accomplish all that He’s given us to accomplish.

It’s the 1st day of the month!
Summer is just a couple of weeks away!
We’re almost 1/2 way through the year!
What has God empowered us to do?

I’m moving forward.
How ’bout you?

Can’t you feel a brand new day!
Can’t you feel a brand new day!
Naima

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CELEBRITY, VIRGINITY & CELIBACY



© photo source

Lolo, Tebow, Megan… sports stars and celebrities waiting for their wedding night to get busy are coming out the woodwork.

Lolo Jones, 29 year old Olympian, National Champion hurdler and Christian, told HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (video) last week that her virginity is a gift she wants to give to her husband. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” Jones asserts. “Harder than training for the Olympics. Harder than graduating from college, has been staying a virgin before marriage.”

As soon as the news hit, New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, 24, reportedly began receiving Lolo chants from fellow teammates at practice. Last week’s news cycle was all aflutter with teammates wanting to play matchmaker. Tebow revealed in an interview a couple of years ago that he’s also waiting for marriage based on his Christian faith.

To top the week off, actress Megan Good, 30, an all around lovely sister who loves the Lord, revealed in an interview published last week, that she and her fiance have decided to remain celibate until after their soon-to-be wedding because of their commitment to the Lord. Beautiful couple.

Whew! Busy week! I don’t think I’ve heard this much news about celebrities waiting to have sex since Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon.

But I’m actually glad their stories have made the news, especially because of all the conversations unfolding. People weighing in on why they’re waiting, why they’re not, and issues of faith. I’m always excited when conversations of culture and faith blow up nationally. This very blog is an amalgamation of that exact concept.

And on a personal level, I applaud anyone who makes the commitment to wait based on faith. It ain’t easy. Kevin and I made a decision early in our dating to wait for our wedding night as well. And I agree with Lolo, it’s one of the hardest things we’ve ever done. Once your heart is knit, and soul connected, the body naturally follows. From engagement to wedding, we had about 8 1/2 months, and we had to really strategize, like summit-level planning, to make our decision a reality.

Some may wonder, what’s the big deal?
What about our faith are we honoring?
Paul sheds some insight in his letter to the Corinthians.
I like the way The Message interprets:

1 CORINTHIANS 6: 16-20
The Message
16-20 There’s more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, “The two become one.” Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never “become one.” There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for “becoming one” with another. Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.

Easier said than done, but definitely do-able.

This just scratches the surface, I know. But I’m literally running out the door. Coaching actors this morning. We’ll have plenty of time to dive into relevancy and theology in the coming months. Right now, I plan to preach a series called Sex and the Summer at our bible fellowship in July. If you’re in the LaLa, bring it. We’re breaking open the Word and diving in.

Looking forward,
Naima

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EVEN DOGS PRAY?



©photo source

I came across this image online and stopped:

All I could think is, “If man’s best friend can turn his face toward heaven, certainly we can!”

What’s on your hearts, Fam?
It’s middle of the week. Made it through another month. What do we need to lift up before our heavenly Father who loves us?

Paul encouraged his readers to replace worry with prayer. We can do the same!

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And Paul wrote this letter imprisoned. Just before he says, “Don’t worry”, he says, “Rejoice”. Almost makes me want to ask, “What type of prison service did Rome have?”

But that’s not it at all. Paul does not allow his circumstances to dictate his responses. Even imprisoned, he says to others, “Hey, don’t worry. Pray. And God’s peace will keep you.”

Be encouraged, Fam.
Let’s worry less. Pray more.
It’s a choice.

Let’s follow Lassie, Toto and Scooby-Doo, if need be, or our wonderfully committed canine friend above (blogger Jeter did not include his name).

What’s on your heart?
Let’s lift it up,
Naima

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HOLLYWOOD’S A DIFFERENT WORLD

A Different World ©NBC, Carsey-Werner Productions

A DIFFERENT WORLD

I know my parents love me
Stand behind me come what may
I know now that I’m ready
‘Cause I’ve finally heard them say,
It’s a different world…(oooh) from where you come from… (yes it is now!)

Thus begins the stirring opening theme (sang by Phoebe Snow in Season 1 and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin thereafter) of the award-winning NBC sitcom, “A Different World”, which aired 142 episodes over 6 successful seasons. The series was originally created by Bill Cosby as a spin-off of The Cosby Show starring Denise Huxtable (aka Lisa Bonet) going to a prestigious historically black college. That was 25 years ago. Can you believe it? The first episode aired Sept 24, 1987.

For our younger readers (shout out to 2012 high school graduating fam like Bryanna) who may have caught the series in syndication on Nick at Nite, the episodes were groundbreaking in dealing with issues like equality, race relations, HIV/AIDS, relationships, etc. It launched Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Marisa Tomei and Jada Pinkett Smith and was a Who’s Who of guest stars: Whoopi Goldberg, Halle Berry, Diahann Carroll, Patti Labelle, Billy Dee Williams. Powerhouse Debbie Allen, fellow alum of Howard University (HU!) produced and directed.

By all standards, A Different World was… different.
Especially in Hollywood.

With all the colorful people and storylines, the show aired after the #1 Show on TV, The Cosby Show, and it consistently ranked between #2 – 4 in the ratings with 20 million viewers over its first 4 years on the air. Thus, it proved that people of all colors watch TV shows with good storylines and diverse casts.

Hollywood rapidly accepted the trend, because only one color really matters in our industry frankly, and that’s green.

HOLLYWOOD’S A DIFFERENT WORLD

I’m convinced that more people would “get” Hollywood if they started from the premise that first and foremost, Hollywood is an industry (like all other capitalist industries) that exists to make profit. The bottom line is the bottom line.

Hollywood churns out what makes profit.

If Keeping Up with the Kardashians did not make Executive Producer Ryan Seacrest and the E! Network millions of dollars in advertising based on an average of 3 million viewers weekly, then E! Network would not have awarded the Kardashians 3 spin-off series plus the richest contract in reality TV history: 3 more seasons of Keeping Up for $40 million (up to 9 seasons). Somebody is watching the show. 3 million somebodies are watching the show. Weekly.

Hollywood does not keep spending money where it does not make money. No business does.
And it rarely takes risks and spends money on talent that has not yet made money.

If artists who move to LA would get this, I think it would revolutionize the way that we work.

The truth is that people want to hire successful people.
So, how can you, the artist, prove that you have been successful?
Do you have a resume where you’ve landed 5 equity plays or several costar or guest star roles? Do you have an outstanding web series with millions of viewers? Do you have a YouTube or Vimeo video that garnered millions of viewers?

Hollywood wants to know: how have you been successful? Show us how you’ve been successful. Then, we’ll use your success to help our success.

It really is that simple.

Will Smith’s Men in Black 3 made $70 million domestically in 4 days and over $133 million worldwide, topping the box office this weekend and finally dethroning Marvel’s The Avengers. This is Will Smith’s 13th blockbuster film that has made over $100 million in the box office. Does anybody understand why Smith can ask for a reported $20 million salary + 20% of backend? Because his star power is making the studios billions.

Hollywood wants to do what? Make profit.

CHRIST’S DIFFERENT WORLD

Now, what we try to explain through Hollywood Christian Ministries is that for artists of faith, we work in Hollywood, but we don’t operate solely based on Hollywood’s standard that profit is king. Same goes for followers of Christ who work in other industries where profit is the king. We have a king who ultimately owns everything, so we have a different perspective.

We do need to be excellent in business and in our artistry and phenomenal stewards of the resources that have been entrusted to us, but at the end of the day, we don’t make decisions solely based on profitability.

We love God. We love people.
We make decisions based on what’s best for others.

When asked about the greatest commandment i.e. the most important thing, Jesus responds to the religious leaders in the following way:

MATTHEW 22:35-40

35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If we follow Christ, we love and honor God first, then we love others as we love ourselves.

That means that we don’t approach people thinking, “What can he do for me? How can she advance my career?”
We do the opposite. We think, “What does she need? How can I make his life better? How can I make her job easier? Where can I add value? How can I help?”

I know. I know. That’s different.
But we’re different, aren’t we?

Now that doesn’t mean we start acting weird. I’ve had enough of the weird, Fam. LaLa is strange enough without adding Christian strange on top of it. Just saying.

We are “different”. We love God and love people. That’s different enough in any industry driven mostly to make money. We’re the people who are caring for the needs of others.

Isn’t your world different? Are you not, different?

Hey, it’s a different world… (oooh) from where you come from… (yes it is now!)

‘Bout to get my Phoebe Snow/Aretha Franklin on,
Naima

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