Review Fix chats with Hollywood icon Beverley J. Powers, who discusses his new book, “Passing the Baton of Light: Saving a Family Tree.â€
For more information on the book, click here.Â
About the Author:
Beverly J. Powers is an ordained minister with The Living Ministry in Hawaii, and serves as a chaplain at Maui Memorial Hospital. She has performed more than 2,700 weddings and vow renewals to date, and has co-pastored and founded multiple churches across the Hawaiian Islands. Born in Los Angeles, Calif., Powers spent 25 years in Hollywood starring in iconic movies and television shows, including her role as the Queen of Burlesque known as “Miss Beverly Hills.â€
Review Fix: What inspired the book the most?
Beverley J. Powers: An inner longing, urging, for me to write and write and write. It took me 25 years to complete the book. I was writing everywhere. In my home, my bed; my bathroom;  I was so obsessed about journaling I would often pull over on the side of the road, while driving so I could capture a thought. I’d go to restaurants by myself… to be alone with my thoughts, recapturing moments that I had to write down. Poems and Essays all the time there was a 3-ring notebook binder and pen next to me.
Review Fix: What lesson did you learn the most from your time in Hollywood?
Powers: That Fame and Fortune couldn’t make me happy, it was Family, “Saving a Family Tree” is the Sub-Title of my book, Passing the Baton of Light”.
Review Fix: What film was your favorite to be a part of. Why?
Powers: The Red Skelton Shows… portraying his sidekick (straight man) was quite an honor and privilege. I worked every other week (Mon and Tuesdays) which meant I was home with my family nearly all the time and I still made a good income.
Review Fix: What’s the best story that didn’t find its way into the book?
Powers: One woman (my grandmother, born 1897, the woman my book is dedicated to) with only a 3rd grade education, made a difference in my life as well as in God’s Kingdom. She unknowingly touched hundreds of thousands of lives by praying for me when I was little, years later after she had passed, I was able to touch others for God, for Eternity, or Heaven, and not hell, all because of one praying woman.
Versus another woman, Madalyn Murray O’Hair, a professed atheist, who made a difference for the Satan. O’hair successfully succeeded in having all school prayers along with The Ten Commandments removed from schoolrooms across America. She was truly The Devil’s Darling, who single-handedly had God removed from the classrooms in a landmark Supreme Court, Murray v. Curlett, in 1963.
One woman (my grandmother, Lena May Hatley, a housekeeper) built up God’s Kingdom. while another chose to try and tear it down. The choice was theirs:  to light a flame for Good or for Evil. Madalyn O’Hair’s legacy is seen as The lady in a Red Suit with Horns and a Pitch Fork. While the other is seen as The Woman in White with Wings and a Halo… the who loved me, her granddaughter, unconditionally, and brought me to the Lord for safe keeping.  She had been an earth angel to me —  my angel. I suspect no one prayed for Madalyn O’Hair and her path was destructive, which was never meant to be her purpose. Her purpose, like all of ours was to make a difference for God, not be His nemesis.
Review Fix: What are your goals for this project?
Powers: That “Passing the Baton of Light” will someday become a movie for television.
Review Fix: How do you want this book to affect people?
Powers: To bring Hope to someone who is feeling hopeless and helpless.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this book?
Powers: That God has a plan for us  (Jeremiah 29:11) and will never leave us, even when it looks like He has.
Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone read it?
Powers: Extremely well written, inspiring, autobiography.
Review Fix: How do you want people to remember you?
Powers: A woman who  loved the Lord and wasn’t afraid to reveal the truth about herself.
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