“As you can see I haven’t played the most glamorous characters but I don’t shy away from the realness of what’s going on around us” Taraji P. Henson stated in her speech

Both Idris and Taraji have endured a lot in there road to the top. IBE took time to recognize! Congrats to both of them. See there acceptance speeches below.

Today was a time of reflection and honor for comedian Mike Epps. The Mayor Greg Ballard of Indianapolis awarded him the Key to the city along with the Expo committee honoring him with an award for Entertainer of The Year! Epps is originally from the East side Indianapolis and is active in his old community and city all year round.

“There are many people who leave this city and never look back but there few extraordinary individuals who never forget there roots” Mayor Ballard when speaking on Epps

“If anybody want to use me as a puppet to be instrumental to some kids…I’m available” Mike Epps said. He also reflects on his days as a youth and thanks his parents and siblings for his path to success and the person he is today.

Naptown salutes Mike Epps for his entertainment career and for the care and give back he does for his city! Check out his acceptance below

So, take a moment to reflect on someone you know that has recently achieved some sort of success and make sure to let them know “I’m So Happy For You.”  Perhaps you can celebrate them by mentioning their name and accomplishment in the comment section below to make it extra special

Sending positve vibes toward good karma – Robin

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Wearing a cross necklance doesn’t make you a good Christian either…

Since I’ve started this new, wonderful relationship with God, I have noticed that people are trying to prove to me that they know God too! It’s kind of weird, because there are people who have misquoted the Bible in front of me or been accidentally blasphemous, trying to show me that they know the Bible just like me.

People should strive to explore God personally and corporately through a church where they belong and not try to compare their experiences to someone else’s. So I’ve come up with a list of things that people should examine to make sure that they are working toward having the most quality relationship with God that they can have for them, and not for other people.

1. Not accepting Jesus Christ as your savior

If you don’t understand and accept what Jesus did for us, then you are not a Christian. Accepting that Jesus died for our sins is the first requirement to being a Christian. You may attend church, and you might believe in a “higher power” but if you don’t know or understand the sacrifice, you should do everything you can to understand that first and foremost.

2. Forwarding “Christian” emails

We all get emails from people talking about a sick kid or someone who died tragically that makes you want to cry, then tells you to forward it on to eight people if you are a “real Christian” and some “miracle” will happen. For like 10 seconds I feel bad for not forwarding those things on, then I remember that we cannot treat God like he is a chain letter or pyramid scheme. If you want to share testimonies or information about God, that is great, just don’t put stipulations on it that make people uncomfortable.

3. Knowing the Word and not doing the Word

There are so many people who can quote the Bible, yet do not apply its wisdom to their life. Even the devil knows the Bible! He uses it to confuse us! Knowing the Bible verbatim is wonderful and shows that you study, but knowing it and not doing it is a futile practice. It shows that you can memorize. A thing that people often pray is that they want to “not just be hearers, but doers of the Word.” Praying that God will help you to apply what you hear is a blessing!

4. Having a stanky attitude

God wants you to be nice and be happy. Point blank. Not, nice when people are nice to you. Not happy when all your bills are paid and people are acting right. Galatians 5:22-23 says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Going to church, reading the Bible, but being mean to your waiter or cashier is not what God wants you to do. Waking up everyday, being sad and pitying your self is not what God wants you to do. If you are unhappy or have an “attitude problem” seeking advice from the Bible, and asking God for help is the way to change.

5. Threatening people with the Bible

When people talk about homosexuality, abortion and politics, they often beat people over the head with the Bible. They will tell people they are going to hell if they are gay. They will quote Leviticus and tell them they are dammed. I know what they Bible says about sexual immorality, but teaching people with love reaches them before beating them over the head with the Bible. It takes more energy to actually get to know a person and understand why they do what they do, and I think that’s why people choose to just write others off.

6. Not having a real relationship with God

A relationship with God is personal. It’s not going to be the same thing your mom experiences, or your best friend knows. It will touch the most important and specific parts of your life. I have a friend who took years to find her artistic niche in molding and sculpting clay. One day, she told me she was reading Genesis and noticed how God was a ceramicist too. That is a personal, meaningful relationship. You establish that by asking God to reign over your life, putting everything on the line. You allow Him to use your gifts to say what He wants to say. And you thank Him for your life, and pray to Him to help you and others. So many people fake that to their own detriment, just to sound like a Christian in front of other Christians. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)” I surely don’t want to be on the other side of that fence.

7. Worshiping other things than God

Imagine on Judgment Day that there is an account of all the money we’ve spent, the time we’ve spent doing everything we’ve done in our lives and what has moved us the most emotionally and intellectually. How much time, money and energy have you spent on knowing God versus knowing other things in life. Have you been more engrossed and involved in sports, music, career, TV, dating, drama, etc. than learning who God is? It is an emotional, intellectual and spiritual experience that takes a lifetime of learning. Are you dedicated to that or something else?

8. Listening to Gospel music

Gospel music may help you feel better, remind you of scriptures and can serve as an alternate form of entertainment, but do not base your relationship with God off of it. Music can help you to praise and worship God, but it should not be the only source of your Word and relationship with Him. You should be able to feel better, know scripture and worship God with and without an organ present or a Mary Mary CD. Gospel music definitely fills a gap, and helps us to praise and worship God, but it is only a tool and does not make you sanctified.

9. Being a Professional Sinner

Not wanting to change and not wanting God “all in your business” will lead to a life of professional sin. We all sin, so they doesn’t necessarily make bad. Recognizing your sin and changing your life makes you a person who really understand what God is all about.

Media reports have surfaced that gospel recording artist and talk show host Lexi’s “The Lexi Show” has been canceled. Well according to Lexi’s Facebook Fan Page, a press release was posted earlier this week confirming this news:

The critically acclaimed talk show “The Lexi Show” has ended its successful four-season run on the Word Network. “The Lexi Show”, hosted by Stellar Gospel Music Award nominee, Lexi, broke barriers in Christian journalism by bringing controversial and real issues in the black church to mainstream media.

Lexi is overwhelmed with the unbelievable number of letters, phone calls and e-mails in support of her talk show. She is thankful and grateful to all of the fans of the “Lexi Show”, and will have a new home for “The Lexi Show” soon.

Lexi is dedicated in bringing you the best in journalism; she is committed to excellence and truth and looks forward to serving her fans again very soon. Please stay tuned for more information regarding Lexi and “The Lexi Show”.

In the meantime, previous editions of the “Lexi Show” can be viewed online via YouTube for our viewing pleasure. (www.youtube.com/lexitelevision)

Lexi’s television show was highly acclaimed for the very candid and controversial interview with Gospel singer Tonex talking about his tragic losses, sexuality, abuse and marriage. You can check it out below!

1. Pay attention to your spirit within that inspires you.  Nurtue your inner child that you might have stiffled due to adult responabilites.  Remember what brings you joy.

2. Make a list of your god-given talents. Make a list of all the things you love to do.

3. Ask yourself “How can I serve?” and “How can I help”

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A spiritual journal is only for you. Of course you may share it with whomever you wish, but ultimately this is one thing that can be entirely your own. You can shut off the “inner critic” that tells you that what you are writing is not good enough. In a journal, there is no need to worry about punctuation or spelling. Just write what comes to you.

A good way to begin journaling, especially if you are new to it, is simply to sit and write whatever comes to mind  for ten or fifteen minutes. This is a good way to get the “gunk” out. Write about your day . . . what is weighing on you, people who aggravated you, things that upset you, things that made you happy.  A simple list of phrases will do.

Here is a quick guide to how to begin.

1) Pick a journal you will feel comfortable writing in – whether it is a blank book, a simple notepad, or a computer.

2) Set aside some time. It need not be every day, but if you have an appointment with yourself to write, you will be more likely to make it a priority.

3) Write whatever comes to mind. There is no need to worry about grammaror punctuation. This is all for you!

4). Pick a passage and meditate on it. The text you choose can be a passage from Scripture, a spiritual reading, a poem, a selection of artwork, music, or a vista in nature. God can speak to us through all these things. Spend some time with the passage or item of your choosing. Sit quietly. Take it all in. React to it. Then write your reflection.

A spiritual journal can be a wonderful tool for self-discovery as well as a means of entering into a deeper relationship with God. Be open to the possibilities as you “write your heart out” and experience the transformation   spiritual journaling can bring to your life.

If you are feeling stressed by the current economic situation, the best thing you can do is try to regain a sense of control over your emotions, finances, and life, say the experts.

Stress and the Economy: Advice From a Financial Planner

The first thing you should do is turn off the TV business news, says Ivan M. Illan, director of financial planning at Michel Financial Group in Los Angeles. “Markets by their very nature are extremely volatile, even in so-called ‘good times,’” says Illan. “Business television exploits natural market cycles in higher viewership to justify higher advertising rates.”

Next, control your emotions. “We are driven primarily by emotion. The institutional investors know this and often make higher profits during times of fear, preying on the emotionally charged investing public,” says Illan. Profiting from fear and anxiety is taught in business school, he says — the more trades, the more commissions. So don’t fall into this trap.

“Stay committed to your investment plan,” Illan says. And continue to save as you did when times were good.

Two other pieces of advice: Do not invest anywhere, including in bonds, until you’ve saved six months’ worth of cash to cover basic living expenses in case of emergency. And the risk of taking out a loan for retraining or acquiring another degree is worth it, he says.

Stress and the Economy: Advice From a Psychologist

“You may not be able to control the stock market, but there is still a lot you can do to gain a sense of control,” says Mary Coussons-Read, PhD, professor of psychology and health and behavioral science and associate dean at the University of Colorado in Denver.

To put the lid on stress, sleep well, exercise a lot, and eat healthy meals. Coussons-Read also suggests that you do the following to keep your cool during tough economic times:

• Create a budget. Even though creating a new budget might mean giving up a few things that you don’t want to give up, doing so will give you an important sense of control over your finances, which ultimately means less stress.
• Regain perspective. Take a break from your stressed daily life to volunteer. “It can help you remember that there are persons who are worse off than you are,” says Coussons-Read. It’s also a good way to use your time and, possibly, keep using your skills if you are job hunting.
• Socialize. It’s important to seek out other people for fun and conversation, says Coussons-Read. If you only want to be with other people who are equally stressed out about finances and jobs, it shouldn’t be too hard to find them. The American Psychological Association reports that four out of five Americans (at least) worry about money and the economy. Check local community listings online or in the newspaper to see which groups are meeting when. It is also a good idea to hang out with people who you can have fun with and not just talk about your financial woes.

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