Take a look at the list of winners at the Stellar Awards.

• Artist of the Year: Vashawn Mitchell- Triumphant
• Song of the Year: Kirk Frankllin,  Smile – Hello Fear
• Male Vocalist of Year: Vashawn Mitchell – Triumphant
• Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year: Kim Burrell – The Love Album
• Group/Duo of the Year: Mary Mary – Something Big
• New Artist of the Year: Y’Anna Crawley, The Promise
• CD of the year: Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
• Choir of the Year: Ricky Dillard & New G - Keep Living
• Producers of the Year: Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
• Comtemporary Group/Duo of the Year: Mary Mary – Something Big
• Traditional Group/Duo of the Year: The Rance Allen Group – The Live Experience
• Contemportary Male of the Year: Vashawn Mitchell – Triumphant
• Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year: Smokie Norful – How I got Over Songs that Carried Us
• Contemporary Female Vocalists of the Year: Kim Burrell – The Love Album
• Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year: Beverly Crawford – Live from Los Angeles
• Contemporary CD of the Year: Kirk Frankly – Hello Fear
• Traditional CD of the Year: Smokie Norful – How I got Over Songs that Carried Us
• Urban/Inspirational single or performance of the Year: Vashawn Mitchell – Noboby Greater
• Music Video of the Year, Short Format: Vashawn Mitchell - Noboby Greater
• Music Video of the Year, Long Format: Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon: Part one
• Traditional Choir of the Year: Mississippi Mass Choir
• Contemporary Choir of the Year: Shekinah Glory Ministy
• Thomas A Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award Honoree: Vy Higginsen
• Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legend Awards Honoree: Dorothy Norwood
• James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree: John P. Kee

Etta James: Fans, musicians remember singer as 'one of a kind'

January 20, 2012 | 12:26 pm

Within 90 minutes of the death of legendary singer Etta James, more than 1,500 people had left messages on her Facebook pages and Twitter was flooded with remembrances –- sometimes no more than the title of a favorite song. “One of the greatest voices of all time. Thanks for the many romantic moments your music created,” one fan tweeted. “So grateful for our beloved Etta James who opened our hearts,” tweeted another. PHOTOS: Etta James | 1938-2012 James died Friday from complications from her long-running battle with leukemia, her personal physician said. James had been rushed to Parkview Community Hospital on Thursday night and died Friday morning, said Dr. Elaine James, no relation. Her two sons and husband were with her. "We're all very sad," the doctor said. "To know her, to know her past, I feel very blessed to have been able to take care of her."

• WholeGrains: BrownRice,Oats,Barley.
• Legumes: DriedBeans, PintoBeans, SplitPeas, Lentils, BlackEyedPeas.
• Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines,Watermelon.
• Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, MustardGreens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, SweetPotatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress,Yams, Zucchini.
• Seeds: Nuts, Sprouts.
• Liquids: SpringWater, DistilledWater, Kangen water (alkaline water), 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices.

 What to avoid ...

• Meat (Daniel's primary concern was that he not chance the possibility of eating non-kosher meat or meat that was offered to idols.)
• White Rice, Fried Foods, Caffeine
• Carbonated Beverages
• Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
• Refined Sugar, Sugar Substitutes
• White Flour and All Products using It
• Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products
• No starches after 7:PM

Examples of things to believe for and practice:       

• I will voice God's planted desires in my heart in prayer: Psalm 37:4
• The Power of God is working in my life: 2 Peter 1:3
• I will make knowing God, in me, with me &d as me the highest priority in my life: Matthew 7:21
• I will believe God for increase:  Psalm 115:14-16
• I believe God for greater strength:  Nehemiah 8:10
• God will not hold any good thing from my life: Psalm 84:11
• God is meeting all of my needs: Psalm 34:10
• I will speak words of peace in every problem in my life: Isaiah 26:3
• I will not worry-I will trust that God is in control: 1 Peter 5:7
• I will persevere until I see total victory: Isaiah 54:17
• I will trust God's Spirit in me to direct and guide me: Proverbs 6:22
• I will walk in God's Promises: 2 Peter 1:4
• I am believing God for good things to happen in my family: Psalm 112:1-3
• I will seek God's will until I know it and then declare it daily: Romans 8:27

1. Be specific

Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet.      

He defined the problem immediately. The king's food was against Jewish dietary laws. Daniel and his friends had vowed against Babylonian selected wines. The king's food could have been offered up to idols/demons.         
 

2. Fast as a spiritual commitment
The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual as well as physical commitment to God.
"Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself."

Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can't discipline
themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that are not good for health.

The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer.

Your physical health may be linked to any of the following factors: a. Your food choices.

b. The level of your spiritual commitment, as reflected in constant practice of prayer and meditation during the fast. c. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example,if you determine to fast ten days,don't stop on day nine. d. Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith in God and personal discipline. You want God to heal your body, as well as your mind and spirit. Faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast. 

 Start your new year with a free visit to a national park! All 397 national parks across the country will offer free admission from January 14 through 16 to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

You can literally walk in Dr. King's footsteps at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site  in Georgia, the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail  in Alabama, or the Lincoln Memorial  in Washington, DC – just a few of the many national parks that have direct ties to Dr. King or the Civil Rights movement.

Other parks that will hold special events honoring Dr. King that weekend include the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC, Morristown National Historical Park in New Jersey, Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Tennessee, and Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, DC.

“Dr. King led the fight to realize his dream of a nation free of discrimination, where every citizen was able to enjoy the inalienable rights promised to all Americans,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.  “Dr. King’s story and those of so many others whose efforts changed our country are preserved in the national parks, places where history happened.  I hope every American can take advantage of the upcoming fee free weekend and visit their parks to experience their history firsthand.”

Your nearest national park can also help you keep that New Year’s resolution, whether it is to get more exercise, spend quality time with family and friends, try a new sport, learn some history, expand your horizons, or enjoy the natural world. There’s something for everyone at a national park, even in the middle of winter. Choices include snow shoe hikes, canoe trips, campfire programs, film festivals, battle reenactments, and music jams. It is also a great time of year to view wildlife such as bison in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming or grey whales at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. A list of activities can be found at www.nps.gov.

The National Park Service will also waive admission fees on 14 other days in 2012 – National Park Week (April 21 to 29), Get Outdoors Day (June 9), National Public Lands Day (September 29), and the weekend of Veterans Day (November 10 to 12).

According to Billboard, Nothing short of a living legend, The World’s Greatest Storyteller, Dorothy Norwood, has been entertaining, preaching, uplifting, mentoring, writing and producing for more than fifty years.

On January 14, 2012, Ms. Dorothy Norwood will be the recipient of the prestigious, Ambassador Bobby Jones Legends Awards at The Grand Ole Opry house, Nashville, TN during the 2012 Stellar Awards taping.

On March 20, 2012, Dorothy Norwood returns with her latest and possibly best recording of her illustrious “God’s Been Just That Good.” Ms. Norwood’s signature voice is backed by the young, bright, fresh sounding voices of Isaiah Thomas & EOP (Appears Courtesy of Good Fellas Music Group) and the result is truly a heavenly mix.

The debut single, “Just That Good”, Ms. Norwood pays tribute to her best friend and mentor, The Queen of Gospel”, The Late Albertina Walker. Upon listening you will be drawn into worship and your hands will go up in praise.

Dorothy Norwood Officially began her gospel career in 1956, singing with Mahalia Jackson, Reverend James Cleveland, and with one of the greatest female groups of all times, The Caravans. In 1960, she launched her solo career with Savoy Records, recording her first album, Johnny and Jesus in 1964. This release quickly followed by Denied Mother in 1965, earning Norwood the title, “The Greatest Storyteller”. Both projects certified gold. All total, five all reached gold status. 1971, she recorded Live with the GMWA Mass Choir Northern California; Live reached #1 on the Billboard Charts. To her credit also had three top ten gospel albums and been in the top forty fourteen times.

LET GO: Don't drag past heartbreaks into the New Year. Unless your breakup happened over the holidays, no need bringing any baggage into 2012 with you. And if your heart WAS broken over the holidays, give yourself 2 weeks to get over it and move on. It may be easier said than done, but a new year signals new beginnings and a time to love and forgive your self and start fresh.

• Reflect on love lost, but don't harp on what you could have done differently or what was done to you. Take the lesson and trust that love will find you again.

BE BRAVE: Many people aren't in relationships because they're afraid of getting hurt. When opportunities to date present themselves, some retreat or sabotage their own happiness because it's easier than facing the possibility of heartbreak. But great success and great love require great risk. It takes courage to put your self out there, but the possibilities are endless and the rewards are so worth it in the end.

THINK POSITIVE: Nothing is more attractive than a person with a positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life. Focus on what is going well in your life, do more of the same in order to boost your happiness.

BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF: Let's face it some of us have a lot of work to do on ourselves before we're ready to get out there looking for love. If you're carrying past hurt and resentment, are depressed, stressed or otherwise emotionally unavailable, give yourself time to work through it.

• Love can't cure all emotional ailments, and your partner isn't responsible for your healing - you are. If you're not ready to be in a relationship for any reason, be honest with yourself (and any potential partner) and work on getting your heart and mind right so that you are a whole person going into a healthy, satisfying relationship.

SHAKE THINGS UP A LITTLE BIT: If you're a homebody, start going out more.  Change your hairstyle or get a makeover. Try something new.

BE REALISTIC: Many times people are frustrated with their love lives because they buy into the fantasies presented to us in romance novels and chick flicks. Relationship myths will be your downfall if you've got your head in the clouds. While the perfect love and relationship sound great, so do bubblegum raindrops. But like bubblegum raindrops, they don't exist.

• The reality is great love and relationships require work, compromise and dedication. Unrealistic expectations about love and relationships can lead to disappointment and bitterness.

BE HAPPY WITH YOURSELF: Know that a relationship doesn't make you a complete person - being satisfied with and loving who you are does. live your life and enjoy your own company. No one else can be happy with you unless you're happy with who you are first.

Riva Tims has dropped her lawsuit against New Destiny Christian Center, less than a week after contending she was the rightful heir to the Apopka megachurch she co-founded with her husband Zachery Tims in 1996.

Tims posted a message on her Facebook page conceding that her 30-page divorce agreement with Zachery in 2009 contained a stipulation that she would not sue the church.

"After careful review of my amended MSA (2009); my attorney Robert Gibson discovered on December 30, 2011, that I released my rights to file a complaint against NDCC. Therefore by the advice of Mr. Gibson I withdrew the suit," Tims wrote.

Riva wrote that as the mother of Tims' children — Zoelle, Zachery, Zahria and Zion — and the spiritual mother of many New Destiny members, "that I had a spiritual obligation to let my voice be heard. And our voices have been heard nationally. The righteousness we have been taught will continue to sustain us in this process. We are assured that truth will prevail — God is in Control!" In her lawsuit filed Dec. 29, Tims argued that the church bylaws made her the legal successor to Tims, who died in August at age 42. The cause of death has not been released.

Tims' lawsuit said New Destiny is worth between $4 million and $9 million, and that Paula White's appointment was the product of a conspiracy by church leaders to exclude Riva from consideration as senior pastor. It pointed out that the Tampa church White founded with her ex-husband Randy White is in financial trouble and that, according to a 2006 audit of the church, White was $26 million in debt.

After Riva Tims left New Destiny, she founded her own church, Majestic Life Ministries in Lockhart, which has about 500 members. About 1,000 people showed up for Paula White's first Sunday sermon as New Destiny's new pastor.