Journal
Courageous. Writer Ernest Hemmingway said that “courage is grace under pressure.” Courage is defined as mental and moral strength; it is the ability to do something that frightens you and is strength in the face of pain and grief. Jesus was our ultimate example of “grace under pressure” throughout His three years on earth. Even on the cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.”
I’m privileged to have traveled the world several times and met many who I am in awe of as they risk their lives to share their faith. Their courage has brought me to tears many times. Recently, I was in Cypress, helping to teach and train men and women from several countries where religious freedom, particularly Christianity, is said to be tolerated but, in reality, is persecuted. Two Iranian filmmakers visited Cypress for a “vacation” and attended our conference. They told us that they were taking notes during the day and then going back to their hotel room at night and memorizing them because they would be imprisoned if they were caught with what we were teaching them.
Courageous men and women who risked it all for Jesus are indeed saints. Their kind of courage cannot be found in human strength. It can only be found when we allow the Holy Spirit to infuse Himself fully into our soul. Those of us who work in secular production offices, on sets and stages, know that often our faith is belittled and sometimes bullied, and I believe it is not going to get easier in the future. I Peter 3:15 tells us we should “Always be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (my emphasis).
There are no scaredy cats or “turkeys” in God’s Kingdom!
When the Holy Spirit lives in us, and we are fully engaged with God, our response is always “Yes, I will” stand up for my faith. Our Bible and history books are filled with those who stood up, were persecuted, and demonstrated solidarity with Jesus Christ, God’s son, while giving their lives. Today’s heroes of the faith such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Jim Elliott, Corrie Ten Boon, Billy Graham, and Mother Theresa, to name a few, never shied away from persecution and gave their lives entirely to the cause for Christ.
In Romans 12, Paul spelled out for us how to handle and navigate life with courageous grace. We are to be holy, living sacrifices, renewing our minds with the Word of God, serving humbly, and loving greatly (and yes, even to those who oppress or persecute us). This Thanksgiving holiday, remember the faithful men and women who came to this country and became America’s founders so that we might have freedom to worship. Their perseverance and courage was rooted in our nation’s motto: “In God we trust.” Remember their courage. Then, embolden your life with Biblical wisdom bathed in grace and be ready to share the Hope that lives within you. Our world needs courageous people as never before.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10.
Journal
8 seconds. That’s all it takes. Recent research says that we will decide within 8 seconds of meeting someone whether we want to continue to engage with them or not based on what they are transmitting non-verbally. Researcher Albert Mehrabian, professor emeritus of psychology at UCLA and famous for the 7%-38%-55% rule on verbal and nonverbal cues, says body language is powerful and often discounted by most people. Nonverbal communication accounts for 55% of the information we transmit overall during interpersonal interactions. 38% is attributed to the tone of one’s voice, while only 7% is conveyed through our actual words. Knowing this can be a powerful tool in how we share our work and our faith.
Everything communicates.
As a young actor in school, I’d spend class after class staring at another actor doing an acting exercise to learn how to interpret what was really being communicated by the subtle nuances and facial expressions of the other actor. It wasn’t the words we were taught to pay attention to but what was really being conveyed through body language and the tone of the other actor’s voice. Great actors know that the communication and story told by the actor’s character choices are often more important than even the words written in the script. Actors must play each moment in a scene. It’s why live theater is so fun and compelling to not only act in but to also watch.
Former FBI agent and body expert Joe Navarro said when he interviews a suspect, “It really is looking at an individual and asking, ‘What are they transmitting?’ We communicate by the clothes and shoes we wear, the hairstyle we choose, the kinds of foods we eat or don’t eat, and even how we eat and with our quirky habits and personal routines.
Each part of our body talks.
When you pitch a project, conduct business, audition, or work on a production or artistic endeavor, your body language is being read. As Christians often working in mainstream places, we’re called to lead with our talent and skills and not just be good at what we do, but be excellent. How we conduct ourselves with grace, kindness, integrity, and respect for others shows. It’s watched and judged in 8 seconds. Our faith and what we believe is observed, and no words may ever be spoken. Yet people sense that we possess something different and special that they, too, want.
Walk the walk and don’t talk the talk.
Be the lamp of God’s light for others to see. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” In today’s instant, opinionated, and depressed world, you only have 8 seconds. Whether you’re in an office, on a production set, or just standing in line or waiting for something, how you react when the pressure is on, and the kind of body language you use is noticed. You are communicating God’s light. It only takes seconds, but it may make a difference in someone’s eternity.
When you walk out the door each day, say a prayer to transmit light.
Journal
This week we launch a new Influence Lab Women chapter in Atlanta. As we embark on this new adventure starting June 10th, I was reminded of Jesus as He told His future disciples to throw their nets to the “other side of the boat”. They had been fishing all night and had not caught one fish because they were casting their nets to the wrong side of the boat. Jesus wanted them to learn how to cast their nets in the right direction, and in partnership with Him.
We often miss opportunities because we keep throwing our nets out to the same place, where most fish aren’t swimming anymore. When talking about Hollywood, most outsiders think that you have to live here or in New York to make it in the industry as a professional. This might have been true in the past, but not today. These past hubs of media and entertainment and the arts have spread to many new and thriving media cities. Many longtime Hollywood professionals are moving out and into these new cities – Atlanta being one. Seeing this change has stirred my heart and I am thrilled that The Influence Lab is casting its net outside of California.
As a Christian industry professional for over 30 years, I have worked and supported many different Christian ministries and groups in Hollywood. I moved to Hollywood in the 1990s when most Christians were “in the closet” with their faith. We were an unwelcome remnant of believers. But we were called to make a difference and see lives changed by bringing God’s love to those working in the business. Over the years, I have seen the few grow to be hundreds, and now even thousands of believers in Hollywood. Today, I am seeing more top celebrities affirming their faith and it’s exciting. Those of us who committed our lives to not only our industry careers, but to the lives of others, grew stronger in the ability to “defend our faith”, as the Bible calls us to do. When COVID-19 shut down Hollywood production, the Christians ramped up and ran into the storm by producing and creating more content than even secular media and entertainment at one point.
But now Hollywood Christians are moving out. We have seen a vast migration out of California and across the U.S. in the past few years, which ultimately opened the door to launch The Influence Lab Women chapter in Atlanta. We are joining other Hollywood ministries that have also launched chapters in Atlanta—like our friends at The Hollywood Prayer Network and Master Media, both of which I have served and supported for many years. The Hollywood Christian remnant community is launching into deeper waters. They are bringing the light of Jesus to production sets and offices throughout the U.S. I invite you to pray for us and God’s remnant in the industry, support the work of The Influence Lab, and join us in-person at our upcoming events!
Cast your net with us on the other side of the boat!
If you are in the Atlanta area, join us for Influence Lab Atlanta Women on June 10th!
Register!
