NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
ME & MY MOM
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MY MOM…

went to our heavenly home when I was a sophomore at Howard University (cancer). I subsequently spent a lot of time staring at a younger photo of her (above)… not because I missed her immensely, though that was true; but mostly I was trying to find some trace of myself in there somewhere – in her eyes, her smile.

I had just turned 20 years old, and I was still forming my own identity, regardless of what my husband Kevin would say, whom I met at 18. Hear him tell it, I was pretty confident back then. “Bold” is the term he used.

But I didn’t feel very bold that year. I teetered somewhere between auto-pilot numb and verge-of-tears fragile. Only an encounter with the Lord Himself put me on a path towards okay-ness.

My dad reminded me a lot that as time passed, things would get better. So true. The grief (Thank God for grief counseling!) eventually gave way to acceptance and peace. I still miss my mom, but it’s not painful anymore. I look forward with joy and anticipation to dancing and singing with her again some day and hearing her laugh! That laugh lit up many a’rooms and lifted countless burdens. She’s electric!

FUNNY THING

And the funny thing is when the grief lifted, I could see clearly. I had matured. I was very much my own woman, but I looked at Mama’s photo one day, and I could finally see the resemblance – the same shape eyes, nose, chin. Same height and build. Actually, at my age, she was smaller than me. I tried to put on her wedding dress and couldn’t fit. LOL!

WE LOOK TO YOU, MOM

Why was it so important for me to see myself in my mother’s eyes? Because from the time I was born, she helped me see who I was. I believed I could be and do anything because she started telling me so when I was still in diapers. I grew to be confident (okay… Bold!) because she was bold, and I walked in her 8.5 size heels (same size). She was a leader and a straight-shooter, and I’m told I picked that up along the way. And when I needed to find my eternal identity in Christ, the path was made easier because Mom & Dad had always pointed us to Him.

What am I saying? We look to you, Moms. As children, we see ourselves in you, first, and we believe what you say, and even more so, what you do. If you are fearless, we learn fearlessness. If you’re honest, we learn honesty. If you say we’re beautiful or handsome, and treat us as such, we believe you. Now, we’ll all go through that awkward-gotta-figure-things-out-for-ourselves phase, but we’ll bounce back a lot quicker if you’ve laid a solid foundation of truth that we never forget.

THANK YOU

Whether you’ve just turned 71 (Happy Birthday to You!) or you’re a new mommy at 31, please know how very influential you are in the lives of your children. We look to you and need you. We honor you and we celebrate you. Thank you for helping to shape who we are. Thank you especially for your love. We love you.

Happy Mother’s Day!
Naima

And if you’re in the LaLa this Sunday, we’re honoring moms at Hope in the Hills. RSVP today.

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

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NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
HOLLYWOOD & BIBLE, Part 2: Discussing God’s Not Dead, Son of God, Heaven Is For Real with Dr. Darrell Bock, Dallas Seminary (Video)
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THANKS A MILLION, Fam!

So many of you tuned in last week to PART 1 (VIDEO) of my recent chat at alma mater Dallas Theological Seminary discussing Paramount’s blockbuster film NOAH and biblical themes in recent Hollywood films with Dr. Darrell Bock on The Table Podcast.

As promised, ABOVE IS PART 2: VIDEO where we discuss our thoughts on Christian breakout films God’s Not Dead, Son of God and Heaven Is For Real.

IF YOU MISSED PART 1: NOAH, here it is:

BOX OFFICE UPDATE:

These 4 Bible/Christian-themed films are among the most profitable of 2014 so far:
* NOAH, produced for $125 million, has grossed over $320 million worldwide.
* GOD’S NOT DEAD, produced for $5 million, has grossed an estimated $52 million.
* SON OF GOD, recut from THE BIBLE series and reportedly produced for $10 million, has grossed more than $60 million.
* HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, produced for $13.8 million, has grossed over $53 million in 2 weeks.

HOLLYWOOD’S YEAR OF THE BIBLE

It’s no secret. Hollywood has declared 2014 the Year of the Bible. In addition to the 4 films already released, 2 more are expected: EXODUS: GOD & KINGS, directed by Ridley Scott, starring Christian Bale and Sigourney Weaver, and MARY: MOTHER OF CHRIST, starring Ben Kingsley and Julia Ormond.

Other studio projects being reported for coming years are a PONTIUS PILATE film starring Brad Pitt, a CAIN & ABEL film (with vampires) starring Will Smith, another BEN HUR film produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey (Son of God, The Bible Series) and a new DAVID & GOLIATH film currently seeking an unknown actor to play David (we’ll see how that goes! :=)

Looks like we’ll have a LOT to dialogue about in upcoming months! For now, pull up a seat to The Table podcast, grab a bite and chime in. We’d love to hear your feedback.
RESPOND ON BLOG below, Facebook or Twitter – @naimalett

P.S. If you missed my previous blogs:
Heaven is For Real Is For You
Oh, Noah! Controversial New Film

Lastly, one correction. HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, produced by Sony, is considered a small-budget studio film, not an independent film as I stated in the podcast. This I know because our friend DeVon Franklin, senior vice president of Columbia Tristar Pictures worked tirelessly to bring it to market. Thanks DeVon!

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
Bible & Hollywood, Part I: My Chat with Dr. Darrell Bock, Dallas Seminary’s The Table (Video)
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Hi Fam!

A couple of weeks ago, I had a ball at alma mater Dallas Theological Seminary discussing biblical themes in recent Hollywood films with Dr. Darrell Bock on The Table Podcast.

As promised, here’s the VIDEO. This is PART I where we focus on Paramount’s NOAH. PART II drops next week and we discussed Son of God, God is Not Dead, and Heaven Is For Real.

FYI: All of the films are burning up the box office right now:

* NOAH, which was made for $125 million, has grossed over $300 million worldwide.
* GOD IS NOT DEAD was produced for $5 million and has grossed an estimated $48 million.
* SON OF GOD was recut from the History Channel’s THE BIBLE series and produced for $10 million and has made more than $60 million.
* HEAVEN IS FOR REAL opened this Easter weekend in the #2 position after CAPTAIN AMERICA. It was made for $14 million and has grossed over $29 million in 5 days.

Hollywood and Christians are paying attention, Fam! But this video isn’t about box office numbers. It’s 2 colleagues chatting it up about what we thought of the films themselves.

Pull up a seat, grab a cup of MoJo and chime in. Or listen on your commute and hit me when you get home. I’d love to hear your feedback as well!

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

P.S. If you missed my previous blogs:
Heaven is For Real Is For You
Oh, Noah! Controversial New Film

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NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
“Heaven Is For Real” Is For You (Release 4/16)
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©Sony Pictures


THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, FAM!

Sony Pictures had you in mind, family of faith, when they produced HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, an inspirational film from the best-selling book (8+ million copies sold) that spent over 2 years on the New York Times List and 17 consecutive weeks at #1.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL is “based on the true story of the 4-year old son of a small-town Nebraska pastor who experiences heaven during emergency surgery”. The film opens in theaters next week, April 16th, my youngest brother’s birthday (shout out Kamau), just in time for Easter.

THIS AIN’T NOAH

HEAVEN ain’t NOAH. :=) How so? HEAVEN’s filmmakers and audience are on the same page.

Boy was I crucified over Paramount’s NOAH, mainly on social media where we’re still learning to respectfully communicate, when I wrote in my blog Oh Noah! about my plans to see the film in IMAX. Folks flipped out.

Why? Because Christians ignored Paramount’s disclaimer and erroneously expected a biblical-based film. I did not. I saw the film to dialogue with wider culture and THANK GOD I did! I spent all last week talking it in interviews, over meals and at the national media conference where I was invited as a presenter. Look for my interview with Dr. Darrel Bock for The Table podcast at alma mater Dallas Theological Seminary on 04/22.

MORE CONTROVERSY?

Though, HEAVEN ain’t NOAH, it still comes with its share of controversy. Who knew? Apparently some folks believe that Colton Burpo, the 4-year old (now 14) did NOT see heaven and that his father Todd Burpo should’ve NOT written about it. One review I read said teaching kids about heaven should be like Santa Claus and teaching kids about hell is child abuse. Hmmm…

The film explores this natural tension that arises when a community has to decide what to do with a 4-year old’s testimony. What would you do if you almost lost your child and when he came back, he told you that he saw Jesus? It gets real.

FULL DISCLOSURE

Full disclosure: Columbia Pictures/Sony Senior Vice President DeVon Fraklin (The Karate Kid, Hancock, Jumping the Broom), who oversaw production of HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, is our friend and brother in Christ, and a group of us supported his pre-screening a couple of weeks ago. Of course, we want the film to do well its first week in theaters so that he can keep making family-friendly, faith-based films! But that’s not why I’m saying this film is for you.

Truthfully, this is the kind of film you’ve been asking HOLLYWOOD for: one that deals with the Christian faith respectfully, honestly and positively. Made for $14 million, the film’s production value is solid. There’s no bad acting here. The film stars Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® award winning actor Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets, Invincible), and the director/co-writer is Academy Award® nominee and Writers Guild Award winner Randall Wallace (Braveheart, Secretariat).

The relationship between husband and wife is real, and there are hugs and kisses, but no gratuitous sex scenes, no profanity (that I can remember), and the PG rating is for medical situations. The film centers around the story of a 4-year old boy, so it’s kid-friendly. The movie is simple and easy: People of faith making a movie about people of faith to encourage people of faith.

EASTER PLANS

So, next week, in between foot-washings and 7 Last Words of Christ programs on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Resurrection Sunday (we’re doing HOPE ARISE! @ Hope in the Hills), gather the family and friends and go have a good time at the theater with this sweet film that was made with you in mind.

Lots of love from the LaLa!
(Actually I’m sharing at the National Keystone Conference for Boys and Girls of America in Anaheim next to Disney. 4 weeks of travel and conferences down, 2 more to go. Pray for your girl!)

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

Are you going to see HEAVEN IS FOR REAL?

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NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
Oh, Noah! Controversial New Film
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VIDEO © Paramount’s NOAH starring Academy Award® winner Russell Crowe

NOTHING LIKE A HOLLYWOOD film based a Bible story to get Christians all riled up!

Have we seen this much controversy since Mel Gibson produced The Passion of the Christ a decade ago? We’re divided like the Red Sea! And I am grateful to be invited back to alma mater Dallas Theological Seminary to discuss this and other current films with Dr. Darrell Bock next week on The Table Podcast.

Oh, Noah!

What’s so controversial about Noah? Isn’t he the gentle, aged dude with the long white beard calling all animals into an ark two-by-two? Not so much in Paramount’s $125 million re-telling of the story by Academy Award® nominated directed Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), starring Academy Award® winning actor Russell Crowe (Gladiator, Les Misérables). Gentle, elderly dude not included.

Christian Britches in a Twitch

But that’s not what’s polarizing. What’s got Christian britches all in a twitch is the movie based on a Bible story, at first glance, doesn’t seem very biblical.

In fact, Paramount recently graciously added the following disclaimer on its website and promotions: “The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.”

Biblical story in the Bible

In case you missed that, the filmmakers are very clear: the BIBLICAL story of Noah can be found… drum roll please… in the BIBLE.

As I wrote in my post last year, Hollywood’s Flood of Bible Films, I’m not sure why our expectation of Hollywood (which is my family:-) is to produce 100% jot-and-tittle biblically accurate Bible films. When has that ever happened?

Our own Christian filmmakers didn’t keep the jot-and-tittle biblical accounts in the recent Son of God film, which was re-cut from the History Channel’s The Bible Series, that our faith-filled community pushed to the highest TV mini-series ratings for 2013. Congratulations Mark Burnett (Survivor) and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel), who is being honored at the national Christian Women in Media conference next week, of which I’ve been invited to share a second year. We are supportive of their success. However, if our own faith family produces derivatives, why are we livid at “Hollywood”?

I’m seeing Noah in IMAX

My husband and I are going to see Noah this weekend… in IMAX. Why? The same reason we saw The Avengers, Avatar, Transformers, Dark Knight, Superman, XMen, Wolverine and Spider Man in IMAX: they are all grand scale, artistically-engaging, well-made films.

Before You Trash Me

Before you throw me under the bus, as so many of my Hollywood peers have experienced, please know that I take very seriously my relationship with God and His Word, which is alive and active in my life. I have devoted my entire life to the communication of God’s Word and Love made manifest through the sacrifice Jesus made on that cross. I am neither double-minded nor simple-minded.

I have had the privilege of serving in vocational ministry and studying and teaching God’s Word consistently for over 15 years. That’s why I know immediately the deviations in Son of God, Prince of Egypt, Passion of the Christ, and Evan Almighty, which nobody boycotted, by the way. I’ve been fortunate and blessed by God to study at top seminaries while pursuing a professional career in Hollywood. This is not some flippant post from the right wing or left wing or any wing, for that matter.

Hollywood Christian, Not Easily Offended

I am both Hollywood and Christian, and I am just not easily offended. I am wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove. Our industry (not our faith) is propelled forward by the same motivation that the rest of America’s Fortune 500 companies are. There are executives right now trying to figure out how to capitalize off our Christian dollar. Hello, we are seen as a financial base to be wooed and marketed. We’ve made independent Christian filmmakers with hardly any experience and not-the-greatest products wealthy. I’ve seen firsthand studios vying for a piece of that pie.

Nobody ever said that piece would be biblically accurate. It would be great if it were, but I don’t expect it. Do you have a right to express your outrage against Noah and vote at the box office? Absolutely! But I have a better idea. Take your friends, hopefully both believers and non-believers, and sit down afterwards over dinner and talk about the movie, what’s accurate, what’s not. Have a ball!

Or better yet, send us some excellent screenwriters who know how to write a blockbuster film that is of great quality and keeps the integrity of God’s Word. Pray for us. Send us the best and brightest to compete. And support those of us who are trying to create material that speaks more Truth. Anybody that wants to invest $125 million into Lett’s Rise! for the production of our Confessions of a Hollywood Christian series, please let us know! It’s easy to sit around and complain. Let’s do something!

Light of the World

The reason I’m not boycotting Noah is because I want to be a part of the discussion and you cannot discuss a film you have not seen. I also know who I am. Jesus didn’t say “Hey Hollywood, you’re the light of the world.” He said His followers are. I am. We are!

I do not expect Noah to be any more biblically accurate than Gravity or 12 Years A Slave. Paramount has already told us what to expect. But will it be an astounding film? Yes! And if we can spend money and go see Son of God in all of its creative license, we can go see Noah too. And we can agree to disagree. I am entitled to my opinion, as you are yours.

Bible in a Year

And if you’re really stirred up by all this Bible talk, join our Hope in the Hills and extended internet family as we go through the Bible in a year, reading or listening 15 minutes daily using the Chronological Reading Plan on Bible.com. We are in Book #7, Joshua, and will make it to Book #8, Judges, by the end of the month.

Are you going to see Noah?
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Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
Traveling & Missing Planes
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I travel often.
I pray often.
But I never thought we’d pray a traveler’s prayer like the one we prayed yesterday when Kevin and I got on our flight leaving LAX. We always pray, but this time we also added, “…And Lord, we pray that our plane won’t be lost or come up missing…”

Missing Planes

My, how times (and prayers) change!
Who would’ve thought we’d lose a Boeing 777 jet in 2014? That’s what we’re all trying to figure out on Day #5 of the search for the Malaysia Airlines plane that disappeared this week between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing. All kinds of theories are out there: terrorism, piracy, mechanical failure, and act of God. Details are being released little by little.

Missing People

Our hearts and petitions go out for the families of the 239 people who “vanished”. We pray for peace and comfort and certainly for truth to be revealed.

Upcoming Travel

I’ve just kicked off a good six weeks of back-to-back travel and conferences. As much as I love speaking and sharing and seeing folks, I am keenly aware that we’re living in a different day and time. 9-11 taught us that.

But I am determined to hold on to God’s peace and believe that when the wheels go up and we’re 30,000 up in the air, our Heavenly Father is still in control. On a plane or not, we’re still in the center of His palm. I pray peace for you too today. And peace to all the families with loved ones on Flight MH370.

Lots of love from the LaLa, by way of H-Town,
Naima

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

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NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
THANKSGIVING IN MARCH
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© ABC, United Feature Syndicate Inc

I didn’t mix up the holidays, Fam. 🙂

I know today is Ash Wednesday. But we’re doing something a little different for LENT this year, and we invite you to join us. We’re celebrating Thanksgiving.

What chu talkin’ bout, Willis?

For the next 40 days, (actually, 46 days, as traditional LENT calendars exclude the 6 Sundays leading up to Easter as mini-resurrection celebrations, but I digress), we have decided to go full throttle on the Gratitude Tip!

Why?

Because Thanksgiving leads to more Peace. We’re exhorted in Phil 4:6-7 to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” As we resist worrying, and instead lift our petitions before God, with thanksgiving, His peace overtakes us. Who doesn’t need more peace?

Opposite

Our Hope in the Hills and extended internet family (like Andrea in D.C.! Shout out for your outstanding update) have been going through the Bible in a year, reading or listening 15 minutes daily using the Chronological Reading Plan on Bible.com. We’re in our 5th book, NUMBERS, and we’ve repeatedly seen the opposite of peace.

God’s people consistently complain, moan, groan and rebel, even pleading to go back to slavery. What in the world? A lot of it is based in fear, anxiety, pride, faithlessness, but I can’t help but think how things could’ve been different if somebody took the time to thank God for the miracles He performed on a daily basis. It’s hard to say Thank You and You’re Horrible simultaneously, right?

How?

LENT is traditionally a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal in preparation for Easter in which we choose to give up something in favor of gaining something else. So, folks are working out their own means of fasting and prayer, choosing to sacrifice whatever is important in one’s life to remind one to pray. Each person works that out with God. Collectively though, we’re choosing to daily forgo anxiety and fear, expressing gratitude, in favor of more peace.

Some are listing THANK YOU’s when they first wake up. Others before they go to bed. Others throughout the day. There is no right or wrong way. All that we ask is that you find someone to walk the journey with you – a loved one, friend, co-worker – share something that you’re grateful for daily. And feel free to post with us on Facebook and Twitter, #ThanksgivingInMarch

Snoopy

I posted the above picture of Snoopy’s Thanksgiving meal as a fun way to playfully say Good-Bye to all those sweets. And my #ThanksgivingInMarch starts now: I thank God for each of you and His peace that will flood your hearts and minds over the next 40-46 days.

What are you grateful for?
Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

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NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
ACCOMPLISHMENT FEELS GREAT
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PHOTO: First ever US Gold Medal Olympians in Ice Dancing: Meryl Davis & Charlie White, source

ACCOMPLISHMENT FEELS GREAT!

Ask Meryl Davis and Charlie White (above). On Monday, they made history by setting new world records and becoming the first ever U.S. GOLD Medal Olympians in Ice Dancing.

Yes. I’ve been watching the Winter Olympics… not as steadfastly as the Summer Olympics since everybody in Sochi looks so cold. But each night, if at home, I’ve been catching up on world athletes skating, skiing, flipping, dipping, curling and shooting. Biathlon… Who knew?

HARD WORK => SWEET SUCCESS

Proverbs 13:19 begins, “Desire realized is sweet to the soul…” Isn’t that true? It’s been heartbreaking to watch some Olympians who have worked relentlessly for 4, 8, sometimes 12 years fall or fall apart. But it’s been exhilarating to see those who have worked just as hard rise to the top of their game and eke out victory. Success is sweet, especially when it comes after 17 years of skating together.

According to their website, Meryl Davis and Charlie White have put in the hard work and skated together longer than any other US ice dance team – 17 years. Charlie started skating at age 3 and Meryl at age 5, and the soon-to-be-graduates of the University of Michigan became a team by age 10. In their (almost) 2 decades together, they have won 2010 Olympic Silver Medals, 2011 & 2013 World Championships, 2009-2014 U.S. Championships, and 2009-2013 Grand Prix Final Championships. One report said they worked on one of their winning lifts for 2 whole years! There’s already talk about Dancing With the Stars.

TEAM WORK

What’s even more fascinating is that Meryl and Charlie have been training partners with rivals Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (CANADA) for 9 years in suburban Detroit under the same coach, Russian-born Marina Zoueva. 4 years ago, Tessa and Scott won the GOLD medals, while Meryl and Charlie took SILVER. This year, Meryl and Charlie took GOLD, while Tessa and Scott took SILVER. There’s something about daily working with folks who are in the top tier of your field. There’s accountability and the constant push to do your very best.

OUR GOOD NEWS!

Kudos to our Hope in the Hills and extended internet family for our accomplishment thus far going through the Bible in a year. We are currently finishing the Book of Leviticus (whew!), which means we have completed 4 books of the Bible in 2.5 months, reading or listening 15 minutes daily using the Chronological Reading Plan on BIBLE.COM. That’s Genesis, Job, Exodus, and Leviticus, and Leviticus was tough going some days. That’s why it’s good to pause and say, “Good Job! Enjoy! Accomplishment feels great!”

On Sunday, we start the Book of Numbers. If you’re just tuning in, feel free to jump in with NUMBERS or start with GENESIS. The point is to encourage each other to spend time in relationship with the Lord each day, and to get to know Him better through His Word.

And know you’re not alone. We’re all in this together. Similar to Meryl and Charlie training with Tessa and Scott, we’re all pushing each other to finish well. I love God’s Word, but some days, I was motivated to keep reading about Israel’s dietary laws and treatments of skin diseases simply because I knew we would discuss on Sundays. If you’re not here in L.A., get a partner, or use the APP to share with me that you’re keeping track. It helps.

Whatever goals we’ve set – gold medals, Dancing With the Stars, or going through the Bible in a Year – let’s take a moment to savor the sweet feeling of accomplishment when we’ve completed a part of the journey. As I finished Leviticus this morning, I could’ve thrown my hands up in the air and waved to the heavenlies. I may as well had been on the Olympic platform. All I needed was a head wreath and leaf bouquet… and a coat, scarf and skully!

What have you accomplished? Let’s celebrate it.

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

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NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
Seeing Red, Birthday Hope & Love
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Lupita Nyong’o (Ralph Lauren), Alicia Graf Mack (Alvin Ailey) Roses and Me

I SEE RED… everywhere.

Don’t you? Which usually means one thing: It’s February aka the Month of Love.

Red roses parade around Valentine’s Day while red dresses bring much-needed awareness to heart disease. Leading up to Love’s month, red ruled the red carpets including rising star, Academy Award nominee Lupita Nyong’o in that stunning Ralph Lauren red cape pictured above. My friend, screenwriter and filmmaker Malika Ali, also got in on the red action in her familial blog post, A Woman Wearing Red.

BIRTHDAY HOPE

I like red. And the red that really caught my attention last week on my birthday, which I posted on FACEBOOK, was the unforgettable photo of dancer extraordinaire Alicia Graf Mack soaring through the air for Alvin Aliey’s Memoria. Each time I see that picture (above), I am lifted. And I was particularly lifted on that day.

Birthdays have always been a big deal in my family, and those close to me know that I usually use mine as an excuse to celebrate the entire month. But this year was different. Leading up to last Wednesday, I literally had to will myself towards a Happy Birthday. Ever been there?

But something happened when I encountered Alicia’s 5′ 10″ svelte frame perfectly defying gravity. Like all powerful artistry, I was moved. Not just because Alicia is an amazing dancer, but because Alicia epitomizes the Comeback Kid. Suffering from an autoimmune disorder (classified as reactive arthritis) which exasperated painful injuries, Alicia had to retire twice from professional dance at the height of success. Both times, she turned lemons into lemonade and got her Bachelor and Master degrees. And both times, she managed to find her way back to sharing her gift of dance.

Alicia’s story inspires hope. Isn’t that what birthdays are made of? Hope for another year!

LOVE

I was asked throughout the week about reaching this next milestone in life. As I reflected in gratitude, I simply said, “My life thus far has been so full.” I’ve had the privilege of being entrusted to touch countless lives through the arts and through ministry. I’ve been honored to travel internationally and have amazing experiences. And most of all, I’ve been so very blessed to love and be loved. I have an incredible husband, family, friends and faith family.

Life has not been easy, but it has been full of love and loving authentically. I’ve been meditating a lot on Romans 5:1-5. The latter part says, “And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our tribulations, because we know that tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Fam, all that you and I endure produces within us perseverance, character and hope. The kind of hope that comebacks after two supposedly career-ending retirements (Alicia). The kind of hope that struts down a red carpet after landing our first pro film role while still in school (Lupita). The kind of hope that does not disappoint because it stems from love and the One Who is Love. That’s what I pray for us today.

Happy Love’s Day!
Happy Love’s Month!
Let’s get our Hope on.
Put on a red cape. Leap through the air.
Love and be loved.

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

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NAIMA LETT – BLOG – HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN
Reasons to Celebrate
© NaimaLett.com/blog



© Ernie Barnes, Solid Rock

I like Ernie Barnes.
The late world-renown painter/actor/professional football player had a way of putting art to canvas that captured the very essence of celebration! From Solid Rock (seen above) to the famous Sugar Shack (seen on Good Times), many of Barnes’ paintings express movement and joy and accomplishment. His subjects, living their daily lives, had found reasons to celebrate.

Reasons to Celebrate

I think we should too: find reasons to celebrate, that is. Sure, life ain’t perfect, and we can always choose to complain about something. But we could also choose to be grateful and focus on what’s on the up and up. That’s not to say that we ignore grief or dance on top of sorrow. But instead, in the midst of difficulty, acknowledge the hard stuff and choose to hope.

Easier Said Than Done

This can be easier said than done, but it’s possible. While imprisoned for the sake of Christ, Paul writes to the church at Philippi and encourages them to rejoice always and do everything without grumbling. He doesn’t say ignore hardship, but to choose to pray instead of worrying and embrace peace. Sounds good to me. What about you? Got peace?

Epiphany

I had some pretty “interesting” things occur in the last couple of weeks that are completely out of my control. I found myself getting a little down this week, but then I had an epiphany: I can’t change what has already happened. I can do what I can do and move forward. That’s it. Besides, why focus on ‘what’s wrong’ when there are so many beautiful things happening right now.

A Couple of Reasons

I’m so proud of Kevin. He’s straight making things happen, and God’s favor is all over him. In addition to professional strides, he walked in my office yesterday, in his suit, and I had to catch my breath. He’s just F.I.N.E. After 12 years of marriage, and all the ups, downs and sideways we’ve endured, that man still makes me swoon. That’s a reason to celebrate.

Another reason: Our Hope in the Hills fam and many of you kicked off the New Year going through the Bible in a Year. Each person is reading or listening to 15 minutes daily using the Chronological Reading Plan on Bible.com, and we’ve made it through the first 24 days! At 21 days, folks have formed a new habit and are poised to actually accomplish their goal. So, congratulations! We made it through the Creation, Flood, Job and now we’re all up in the stories of Abraham’s dysfunctional great-grandkids. Drama! Kudos, Fam! Celebrate!

HAPPY! BY PHARRELL WILLIAMS
What’s Your Reason?

It’s Friday! I’ve been enjoying the 2014 Academy Award nominated song “HAPPY” by Grammy Award winning musician/entrepreneur Pharrell Williams. This could very well become this generation’s anthem like Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy!”

We’ll see if the record wins a Grammy Award on Sunday and the Academy Award in March, but in the meantime:

Here’s the Original video:

And the Howard University edition. (Thanks E for sharing.)

“Can’t nothing bring me down. Love is too high.” Pharrell Williams

Can you join me, just for a minute and take a dance break? Even if it’s simply that God gave us another day, that’s a reason to celebrate!

What’s your reason to celebrate?

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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

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