My Apologies for the Offense

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
My Apologies for Offense
© NaimaLett.com/blog

timemag01
© Time Magazine’s May 20th Cover Story

My apologies for the offenses I caused yesterday.
My intent was to create much-needed dialogue.

When I read the latest Time Magazine’s cover story, “Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation“, I thought it would make for great discussion, especially with millennials, who were born between 1980 and 2000.

As I jumped into the article which says things like millennials are “lazy, entitled, selfish and narcissistic” who are fame-obsessed and would rather be the personal assistant of a celebrity than become the CEO of a major corporation or a Senator, I kept thinking, “Is that true?”

So, that’s what I asked in my blog, Are Millennials Lazy, Entitled, and Selfish?. Is it true?

Presenting Both Sides

I wasn’t being judgmental and calling millennials lazy, entitled and narcissistic. I simply presented both sides discussed by the writer, Joel Stein, who considers himself a poster child for the millennial generation, though he technically falls in Generation X. On one hand, Stein laments that his peers are “reality-TV-ready”. On the other hand, he boasts that he made it to the final round of the first reality show, MTV’s The Real World, during Season 4 in London.

While Stein calls his “own” lazy, entitled and narcissistic (with statistical data to back it up), he also affirms that millennials are nice, positive and full of hope. He says that they will “save us all” because of their high adaptability to change.

Salvation

Now, I personally don’t look to millennials (or any other generation) for salvation. That’s a bit much. Scripture says “for there is no other name under heaven (besides Jesus) that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Millennials are therefore off the hook in terms of trying to provide eternal salvation. We all are. God reserves the sole ability to save through His Son Jesus who died for us.

Better than Us

That being said, each generation expects the next to be better than us, greater than us.

What we hear in Stein’s summation of millennials, I believe, is a slight disappointment that our current 13 – 33 year olds might not carry on the torch for making our society better. If young folks are lazy, entitled, selfish and narcissistic now, what will they pass down to the next generation and the next? More laziness, more entitlement and more narcissism?

If an entire generation grows up in front of cameras and obsessively focusing on self-image and self-promotion and what they can get from others, how do we convince them that it is to more blessed to give than to receive? (Acts 20:35) Do we even believe that? Do we practice that? Are we more focused on giving than receiving? What have we taught through our behavior?

Are We All Selfish?

Perhaps we are all, to some varying degree, selfish, entitled and narcissistic, but millennials are the first generation where we see these as dominant traits of the masses, rather than a few. Or maybe, this is the first generation that refuses to pretend like they’re anything other than what they are. But, if they are blatantly selfish and entitled, how did they get that way?

Can We Be Real?

It was extremely difficult (though not impossible) for me and my brothers to harbor selfishness growing up with 4 kids in a home where our parents refused to give us everything. We had to work for an allowance and were docked pay when chores weren’t completed. We also had to share everything. I have baby pictures rocking hand-me-downs. I learned how to work those guy corduroys and flannel tops. Just saying.

One of my dear friends, Keese Adams, posted something profound on my Facebook page yesterday in response to my post, as he was recovering from hospital procedures. (That’s brotherly love!) Keese says, “For a child with nothing, working harder is an obvious solution to having more… A child with everything has less incentive to work as hard or hardly work at all.”

If an entire generation has emerged that doesn’t feel the need to “work” in order to “have”, we might need to look at the blueprint by which we thought it was prudent to “give” them so much. You know?

Equal Opportunity Offender

So now, I have not only managed to offend the millennials, I am sure that I have offended their parents as well. Let me stop digging this hole while I can still see the light above my head. LOL!

Still, I welcome healthy dialogue. And I do apologize to those offended yesterday… and those offended today… and tomorrow.

Did I cover everybody? :=)
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

Are Millennials Lazy, Entitled, Selfish?

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Are Millennials Lazy, Entitled & Selfish?
© NaimaLett.com/blog

timemagme
© Time Magazine’s May 20th Cover Story

Is it true?

Time Magazine’s May 20th cover story, Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation, says Millennials (born between 1980 – 2000) are “lazy, entitled, selfish and narcissistic” who are fame-obsessed and would rather be the personal assistant of a celebrity than become the CEO of a major corporation or a Senator.

That can’t be true. Is it?

The article says more 18-29 year olds would rather live with their parents than with a spouse and have the “highest likelihood of having unmet expectations with respect to their careers and the lowest levels of satisfaction with their careers.” Supposedly, because their baby boomer parents instilled lots of self-esteem in them, Generation Y believes that they are rock stars, regardless of if they work and contribute to society.

You don’t want to miss anything.

Hey, I need to hear from you, young people!
Check your phone. Do you really send 88 text messages per day?
Would you rather text your friend than talk, even if you’re sitting side by side?
Do you care more about turning yourself into a “brand” than helping others?
Do you check your phone all hour, deeply anxious you’re going to miss something big?

Reality-TV Ready

Have you trained yourself to be “reality-TV-ready”? Is it true? Because you’ve grown up on reality TV, you are now, at any moment, ready to jump into your own show? Are you always ready for the spotlight?

You’re Super Positive

At the same time, the writer of the article, who considers himself right on the cusp of millennials, says that you’re not rebellious because you neither respect or resent authority. You’re not trying to take over the establishment because you’ve grown up without one. And you’re very nice, very positive and very optimistic.

Even though you’ve lived through 9/11, President Clinton & Monica Lewinsky, the longest wars in U.S. history and the Great Recession, you still have hope.

You have hope.

Hope! We can work with that. You’re talking my language. Hope is the belief that things will get better. We started a church plant called H0PE IN THE HILLS in Beverly Hills. We definitely believe the best is yet to come.

Romans 5:2-5 “…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out His love into our hearts. That’s hope!

You don’t go to church.

Speaking of church and God… The article says millennials don’t “go to church, even though you believe in God”, because you don’t identify with big institutions.

Would you see it differently if church was not a big institution? We’ve been dialoguing for months about this idea that “we are the church”. We, the people, are the church. The building is not the church. We had to recently move buildings. The “lights, camera, action” is not the church. We – me, you, our family of faith – we are the church.

And you, millennials, care about people. You “like” and “follow” each other all day long. If you believe in God, if you believe in Jesus, can you see one another as the church?

Here’s the thing…

We were never meant to live as selfish, narcissistic, self-centered islands texting each other while we sit next to each other. We were meant to do life together, get involved in one another’s messes, forgive each other when we hurt each other, walk out what it looks like when God forgives us.

The church is definitely not perfect. It’s a mess. Because we’re a mess. We’re the church. Our family is only as healthy as its members. I’m so glad Jesus said He came for those who needed a doctor. Thank. the. Lord!

To Be Continued

There’s no way to dive into all of this in one blog post, so I’m sure we’ll continue the conversation. I’m intrigued. Especially since I’m doing my doctoral dissertation on what Hollywood values and believes and how we effectively minister here. You’re part of Hollywood, so your voice is represented.

I’ve got hope for you. We meet millennials all the time who deeply impress us. Kevin and I spent time with one yesterday who has enough potential and brilliance to transform his entire generation. When he sees what we see – whom God made him to be – he’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Mark my words.

So, I’m not writing you off, Gen Y.
I’m going to keep hope alive.
And I’m going to need you to get a job or create a job,
Something :=)
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

Lett’s Talk! The Secret is Out

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Lett’s Talk! The Secret is Out
© NaimaLett.com/blog

consultation
© Naima with actress Lauren Banks

The secret is out, Fam.
So, we may as well go head and talk about it.

For several years now, I’ve been quietly and discreetly counseling countless artists and professionals, personally referred to me, behind the scenes… about everything from how to navigate the entertainment industry to how to map out effective career and life plans and successfully get them done.

Fellow actors, dancers, singers, writers, directors, producers, artists trying to avoid scams, artists refusing to listen and being scammed, parents distressed that their kids want to move to Hollywood, kids distressed their parents are cutting them off financially and now they’ve got to “make it” or “break it” – you name it, I’ve counseled folks through it. It probably helps that I’m trained and have been in ministry for almost 15 years. :=)

Do You Skype?

Then I started getting requests to SKYPE – Australia, China, Europe, Canada – artists all over the world heard that there was this Christian in Hollywood that was not afraid to share the insider information and expertise to actually help them figure out what they wanted to do and how to do it. Folks heard there was a truth-teller in LaLa Land who could care less about competition and just wanted them to do what they were born and called to do.

No More Secret Services

So yeah, my services are no longer a secret. I guess it was good while it lasted. LOL!
But now, yal are blowing up my email, blog, Facebook, Twitter for help, appointments, etc.
I love it, but needless to say, Kevin and I have had to go ahead and formalize things in the last year. We finally put together a page on the site: Lett’s Talk! One-On-One!

Lett’s Talk! One-On-One

So, have at it, Fam. Forward the links to whomever you like. Everything’s there: what we do, some of the many testimonials, etc. The costs are competitive and very affordable for artists. There’s an option for everybody.

And we still give away FREE CONSULTATIONS every few months or so. But we also had to “formalize” that process to encourage the majority of artists to invest in their careers. So, we now have it all spelled out. If you want to find out about FREE consultations, go to Lett’s Talk!

Congratulations, Rosie!

Congratulations to Rosie Koebele, author and performer, for winning a FREE 1-hour one-on-one consultation (valued at $150) after attending the LAUNCH! Media Seminar that Naima taught at the National Christian Women in Media Conference. Here’s what Rosie says:

Naima is truly a gift to me! She not only helped clarify my vision but directed, step by step, how to use ALL of my gifts/talents in a professional and organized manner. Her trustworthiness allowed for unhindered consultation. I needed a vision of how to get my project/s to the finish line! Naima organized my steps to get there! I am forever grateful! –Rosie K.

Isn’t that cool? It’s my privilege to work with Rosie. And she has a slam up book and series on the way. So, keep a look out for her name. And don’t worry. I’ll keep you in the loop.

Not Mad At All!

I know I’ve been facetious throughout this post, but the truth is that I’m not mad at all about the word getting out. I actually love helping folks find their purpose and follow their dreams while staying true to their faith. Part of the reason I’m in the earth, in addition to speaking truth so that nations are free, is to use that truth to help yal do what you’re born to do.

How many times have I asked you: What do you do? What do you want to do? If you had God’s great big ‘YES”, what would you be doing right now? If you could fix one problem in the world, what would it be?

You may not believe it, but I’ve been asking people questions like that since I was in high school… maybe middle school. Kevin says that I’m different because I’ve always known what I wanted to do and just chased it down with singular, laser focus.

Can’t take much credit for that, Fam. God built me like this. And then He gifted me with a father and mother who believed I could do and be anything in God. Anything! I carry that belief into my encounters with you. I really do believe God’s Word… like Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” That is just true all day long.
All. Day. Long.

So, lett’s talk, one-on-one.
The secret’s out.
Lett’s make a difference!
Who’s game?
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

What Do We Do The Day After?

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
What Do We Do The Day After?
© NaimaLett.com/blog

miguel

©ABC, Miguel at Billboard Awards

“What do we do the day after…?”

I’m sure that’s what soul singer Miguel is wondering this moring after becoming a viral sensation from jumping and landing on a fan’s head last night at the Billboard Awards. That, and he’s probably praying she doesn’t sue him… but she will. There are, I’m sure, several high power lawyers that have already contacted her. Our prayers go out to her and Miguel. It was an accident.

What do we do the day after?

That’s also part of a question our friend Karen Davis, co-founder of the Centre for Christian Training and Development, asked during a recent prayer call.

That’s a really good question, isn’t it?
Got me to thinking.

Life’s BIG Events

Much of our lives are organized around BIG events. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays.

What about the Academy Awards?! Super Bowl! Political Elections! It’s like we go from one BIG event to the NEXT.

Last week alone, there were BIG announcements of all the new TV show pilots plus all shows renewed and canceled, just in time for MAY sweeps when the numbers are crunched to set advertising dollars for the coming year. It’s no accident that all the finales and cliffhangers occur in May. Networks need the numbers so the main character is caught between life and death. Who shot J.R.? Will Jim & Pam make it on The Office? Who wins American Idol?

After BIG Events

But what happens the day after the BIG event? What happens the day after the Wedding? NBA Championships? Finale of The Voice? What happens the day after you turn 21? 30? 40? 50?

Does life merely go on? Are we changed in any way? Do we decide to do anything differently?

After Pentecost

This morning, I pondered, what happens the day after Pentecost?

Yesterday was Pentecost Sunday, the day the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Jesus’ disciples (Acts 2) and the day we celebrate the birth of the Christian church. At H0PE IN THE HILLS, we had a special service where we read through as much of the Book of Acts as we could and sang worship songs interspersed with the Scriptures. It was fun. And different. Not traditional at all.

But what now? What happens the day after Pentecost?
What happens the day after God supernaturally causes a BIG event in our lives?
Are we changed? Or do we continue business as usual?

Do We Change or Stay the Same?

In Acts 2:42-47, the disciples’ lives changed. It says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

I’m not saying you’ve got to run out and sell your house and all your clothes, but something happened in that 1st century church after the Holy Spirit filled their lives. They were no longer self-centered and centrally focused on their own lives. They began to care for their needs. They shared. They ate together. They prayed. They devoted themselves to the teaching of God. And they were happy, infectious. So much so, that folks kept joining their cause.

The Day After

Whether our day after is Pentecost or the Billboard Awards, I hope that we will be impacted in such a way that we love each other more truly, try to meet the needs of others and experience joy. I pray that we are infectious and free, so much so, that folks want to be around us and know more about why we’re content. You know?

What happens after your BIG events?
What happens on your day after?
How do you respond?

I guess we’ll find out soon with Miguel.
Best to his fans,
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

You’ve Got Options This Weekend

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
You’ve Got Options This Weekend
© NaimaLett.com/blog

thisweekend
© Star Trek Into Darkness, The Great Gatsby, Iron Man 3

Alright Fam, you’ve got some options at the box office this weekend.

Star Trek Into Darkness

You can hop aboard the star ship and ride the Star Trek sequel, directed by J.J. Abrams, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldana (who was all over the news this week because she weighs 115 lbs… yeah, as if there’s nothing else to report on???).

Like its predecessor 4 years ago, this Star Trek reboot takes place before the television series. The stars are young, feisty and ready to fight – aliens and each other. Drama!

The Great Gatsby

Or you can check out The Great Gatsby, which opened Mother’s Day weekend with an impressive $50 million domestically. This dicey film, based on the 1925 novel by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald, stars Academy Award nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan and Golden Globe nominee Tobey Maguire.

My friend, filmmaker Avril Speaks hipped me to a theory this week recounting Professor Carlyle Thompson’s claim that Gatsby’s big secret was actually that he may have been an African American “passing”. We have no idea if Fitzgerald intended that, but Hollywood has a way of making a splash come film release time. Maybe this provides a more “colorful” way to view?

Iron Man 3

Lastly, if you haven’t already, you can join the masses and see Iron Man 3, which has passed the $1 billion mark in about 3 weeks.

Feel free to check out my comments on the film from earlier in the week, Iron Man 3: Life Goes Boom. https://naimalett.com/blog-iron-man-3-by-naima-lett/

I’m on Lock Down…

… in preparation for Pentecost Sunday; so you’ll have to let me know how your viewing parties go. Yep! This weekend, the faith family at large celebrates the birth of the church as recounted in Acts 2. And since we’re currently meeting in our own special “Upper Room”, my expectations for the Lord to be with us on Sunday are pretty extraordinary.

Have a fantastic weekend!
Literally,
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

Last American Idol, First I Watched

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Last American Idol, First I Watched…
© NaimaLett.com/blog

idol
© American Idol

The American Idol finale last night…
was the first episode of the embattled reality show that I watched all season.

Something about the “leaked” video footage of Nicki Minaj fighting with Mariah Carey last fall while taping the auditions had the opposite effect on me and millions of other viewers. FOX producers thought the cat fighting would make us flock to watch. Instead, it made me run for the hills! Literally.

The Plague

I avoided the show like the plague. Intentionally.
And I wasn’t the only one.

Ratings plummeted this year… which is a shame because based on the talent I witnessed last night with jazz singer Candice Glover, she deserved an audience. I’m sure fans of Kree Harrison, country-pop crooner, feel the same.

The Real Issue

Maybe if the producers had worked on “leaking” more footage of the talented singers, I would’ve been drawn in before last night… which was really out of some obligatory feeling to always be a part of the BIG happenings around town.

But, no, throughout the season, I kept reading in the trades about all the “controversy” Nicki was causing. I’m not a Minaj fan, and I didn’t understand why she was brought on to judge a singing competition. My time is so precious, thus, the show lost me.

Makeover

But word on these LaLa streets is that all 4 judges are being replaced and the show will get a makeover. We’ll see.

If I could get a message to the higher ups, it would be “focus on the talent and stop trying to sell us on the crazy antics of personality judges. Instead put judges in those seats who we trust and deserve to be there. Period.”

Idols

On a completely different note, I just have to say this. For the record, I like the concept of the show and have enjoyed several of the winners in the past, but for the 12 years the show has been on the air, I’ve always felt funny about the title, American Idol and/or Pop Idol.

Is it me? Does anybody else take issue that we are calling people idols?

I’m always reminded of the 10 commandments. (Exodus 20)
#1 You shall have no other gods before Me.
#2 You shall not make for yourself an idol… You shall not worship or serve them.

What part of “no idols” don’t we understand?
OK, there. I said it. Moving on!

Best wishes…
to Candice and Kree. May the best diva win tonight.
Sorry I won’t be able to do the 2 hour results show where they tell the winner in the last 3 minutes. LOL! But have at it, Fam.

Have at it,
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

One of those Days :=)

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
One of those Days…
© NaimaLett.com/blog

lionking
© Disney’s Lion King

Been one of those days, Fam, with the blog.

Browser crashing.
Editing software overload.
Whew!

So, I’m going to send you a wonderful ‘what’s up!’ from the LaLa and start over tomorrow.
How about that? LOL!

On a positive note…

I had a lovely time catching up earlier with friend and filmmaker Avril Speaks. I love highlighting faith fam who are blazing trails. She’s one of them. Check her out.

Relationships are precious, Fam.

We all gotta have folks we can walk with, talk with, laugh with.

I’ve been preaching through the book of Acts this month, and what amazes me from Chapter 2:46, after the Holy Spirit is poured out on the believers, is that “Every day they continued to meet together… They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

That first family broke bread and ate together with glad, sincere hearts. The scripture goes on to say they were of one heart and mind. They were doing life together. Love it!

Good friendships are jewels.
Let’s continue caring for one another.

See you tomorrow,
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

Iron Man 3: Life Goes Boom

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Iron Man 3: Life Goes Boom
© NaimaLett.com/blog

Iron-Man-3-poster

© Marvel’s Iron Man 3

By now, we’ve heard the numbers.

Iron Man 3 has grossed $949 million worldwide, after 2-3 weeks in the US & foreign box office. Staggering! And no doubt boosted by IMAX & 3D screenings, which cost at least $6-8 more than regular tickets.

Not bad for Academy Award nominees Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle, Academy Award winners Gwyneth Paltrow and Sir Ben Kingsley, and Emmy Award winner Guy Pearce.

Life Goes Boom

I won’t give away the details of the film – in case you haven’t seen it yet. But if you’ve watched even the trailer, you’d likely agree that a fitting subtitle for this 3rd installment would be “Life Goes Boom!”

Things really fall apart for Tony Stark aka Iron Man.

Humanizing Heroes

Following the latest trend of bending over backwards to humanize our superheroes, Marvel has imbued the title character with a whole lot of problems for III. If it ain’t one thing, it’s another. But that’s what the studio is hoping will make the billionaire, sarcastic playboy more relatable to all of us.

Looks like it’s working.

Do We Need to “Relate” to Superheroes?

Kevin and I had a great conversation on the way home from the movie theater about this concept of relating to the superhero. Do we need to relate to our superheroes in order to go see their films?

I, don’t really go to see Iron Man so that I can relate to him on a human level. I go to see him fly around in an armored suit and stop bad guys. Is it just me?

The 411 on the upcoming Man of Steel is that the filmmakers have tried to humanize Superman, like they did Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy. Again, I don’t go to Superman films because I want to be like Superman.

Superman was originally written as a Christ-figure – an only Son, sent by His Father to earth to save people. (This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9)

Look, I can’t save anybody, but I know the One who can. But maybe there’s something to this humanizing idea. Obviously God the Father thought enough of it to send His only Son Jesus, to live and die in human flesh to rescue us. Maybe that’s what the filmmakers are tapping into?

What Do You Think?

Do we need more humanized, relatable superheroes?
Or do we go to be entertained, watch stuff blow up and see somebody “save the day”?
Do we need to see Tony Starks’ life go boom to like his Iron Man?

What do you think?
Let me know your thoughts.
Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

TV Shows Renewed & Canceled

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
TV Shows Renewed & Canceled
© NaimaLett.com/blog

tvrenewal
© NCIS, Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, Arrow, American Idol, The Voice

What a week in TV!

In prep for their annual New York upfront presentations to advertisers this week, the BIG 5 networks have been announcing the TV shows they’re renewing for FALL 2013 and those they are kicking to the curb.

In a Nutshell

CBS has grown quite comfortable in the ratings with the top scripted shows like NCIS and NCIS:LA, but ABC has gained leverage with Dancing with the Stars and created buzz with soaps like Scandal and Revenge in addition to long time Grey’s Anatomy. FOX usually picks ups traction with American Idol, though numbers are down and it’s rumored that all 4 judges will get axed after the finale, but the show will come back. The Voice helped NBC when it first started airing, but the Peacock has been struggling of late. It needs help.

E-ONLINE has the list of renewals. Here’s what they have thus far:

Did your show make the cut?

CBS: #1 Scripted Shows

Renewed: CSI, NCIS, NCIS: LA, The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Elementary, How I Met Your Mother (renewed for a final season), Criminal Minds, The Amazing Race, Blue Bloods, Hawaii Five-0, The Good Wife, The Mentalist, Mike & Molly, Person of Interest, 2 Broke Girls and Survivor

Canceled: CSI: NY, Vegas, Golden Boy, Rules of Engagement, Made in Jersey, Partners, The Job

ABC: Nighttime Soaps Reign

Renewed: Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, Revenge, Nashville, Once Upon a Time, Castle, Modern Family, Suburgatory, The Middle, The Neighbors, Last Man Standing, (Undecided: Mistresses, May 27, FYI, I’m not rooting for this one. Just saying)

Canceled: Happy Endings, Body of Proof, Malibu Country, Private Practice (final season), Red Widow, The Family Tools, How to Live With Your Parents(For the Rest of Your Life), Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23, Zero Hour, Last Resort and 666 Park Avenue.

NBC: The Peacock Needs Help

Renewed: Parks and Recreation, Chicago Fire, Law & Order: SVU, Community, Grimm, Parenthood, The Voice, Celebrity Apprentice, Revolution

Canceled: Smash, The Office (final season), 30 Rock (final season), Go On (I really liked this one!), The New Normal, Whitney, Up All Night, Rock Center with Brian Williams, Animal Practice, Do No Harm, Deception, Ready For Love, 1600 Penn, Guys With Kids

The CW: Where Young People Rule

Renewed: Arrow, Beauty and the Beast, The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, The Carrie Diaries, Hart of Dixie, America’s Next Top Model (Is this still on???), Nikita (a shortened final season)

Canceled: Emily Owens, M.D., Cult and Gossip Girl (final season), 90210 (final season)

FOX: Holding On to Glee

Renewed: Glee (renewed for two seasons, but didn’t they graduate already?), Bones, The Following, New Girl, The Mindy Project, Raising Hope, The X Factor, American Idol, Kitchen Nightmares, MasterChef, Hotel Hell (Anybody know what this is???)

Canceled: Touch (Though I hear they’re trying to bring 24 back), Ben & Kate, The Mob Doctor
Undecided: The Goodwin Games (premieres May 20)

So what do you think, Fam?

Are you even still watching network TV or have you moved to cable i.e. Mad Men, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Homeland?

What can the children watch?

Is it me, or does the lineup seem to a little sparse for the kids? We had The Cosby Show back in the day. What’s the 2013 Cosby Show? What are your children watching?

Looking for More Light

I’m constantly reminded of Luke 11:33-36. Part of that passage reminds us that “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.”

I’m constantly looking for that light, Fam. I know we’ve got writers from our family of faith out here, but we sure do need more. Are you praying for us? Are you preparing your sons and daughters to train and come skilled and ready to create material that keeps our eyes healthy?

Something to ponder,
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett

Making Mother’s Day Happy

DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Making Mother’s Day Happy
© NaimaLett.com/blog

MothersDay
© source

Making Mother’s Day “Happy” is a choice.

We can choose to stress out and road-rage on I-405 in pursuit of last minute gifts.
Or blow a gasket when there’s a long, long wait at every restaurant we take Mom to.
Or argue all the way to and from church about things that don’t really matter.

Or we can choose to make the day about loving the women in our lives who are mothers.
It’s our choice.

Choices Matter

I recently experienced a life-changing epiphany: “Just because someone is offensive doesn’t mean I have to be offended.”

My choices matter, and I can choose to NOT be offended. I can choose to maintain my peace and happiness. I reached this conclusion when someone I care for recently misinterpreted an act of kindness and went off on me. As this person insulted me and what I’d done, my inclination was to defend my actions, which were truly of good nature. But before I could open my mouth to go there, I heard in my spirit 1 Corinthians 13:5, “Love is not easily offended”.

Instead of responding to their anger with anger, I simply said, “I see this is not a good time for you,” and excused myself. Then, I resisted the temptation to mull over it in my head. I let it go and made the CHOICE to enjoy the rest of my day. I chose to love them. I chose to not be easily offended. I prayed for them and kept it moving.

Celebrating Moms

In the same way, we can choose to make Mom’s Day outstanding, regardless of anything else that’s going on. Whether we have plenty or nada, we can find ways to express how much the mothers in our lives mean to us. It may be a phone call from across the distance. It may be a day off from the hustle and flow. What does she like?

If she likes mani-pedi’s, give that.
If she likes the movies, gift that.
If she likes words of affirmation, write a poem.
If she like music… we could go on and on here.

When it’s all said and done, let’s choose to simply say, “You matter. We appreciate you.”

Moms Gone Home

And for those of us whose mothers have already gone home, we can grieve their presence, yet still celebrate their lives.

Because here’s what I am convinced of: my mother is lighting up heaven right now with her contagious laugh that fills every room of her heavenly mansion. I imagine she’s got friends and family over, singing and dancing and having a good time. And though she’s the life of the party, she doesn’t know it, because she’s so focused on what everyone else needs. She’s even more beautiful in her eternal, pain-free, cancer-free body. And she’s flanked with my sister, grandmother, grandfathers, great-grands, cousins, and all our fam that’s gone on before. She’s known for her spontaneous praise cause life with God is just that grand.

If our moms can light up heaven, we certainly can light up this here earth!

Happy Mother’s Day!
Let’s choose to make Mother’s Day Happy for the moms in our lives.
It’s a choice.

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

RESPOND ON BLOG
Comment below, or
Facebook or
Twitter – @naimalett