Archive for the 'Lloyd’s Life Lessons' Category

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: In Battle, Listen & Trust God To Be Your General

Tuesday, December 4th, 2012

Dear Patriots, I’m back. The last two months before the presidential election I was touring battle ground states in a full press effort to defeat our lying tyrannical dictator in chief.

After licking my wounds, counting my blessings, kissing my wife, trusting God and a little rest (Well, not really – Mary has a list of Honey-Do projects), I am ready to continue fighting to restore the greatest nation on the planet.

Lloyd


Lloyd’s Life Lessons: In Battle, Listen & Trust God To Be Your General

An incident confirmed three truths. One – God will fight my battles. Two – No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Three – Trust God!

I am a singer, songwriter and entertainer who tours nationally. Every tour with one particular company, I always performed early in the show until something unexpected happened.

A world renowned celebrity was scheduled to make a special guest appearance which equaled extensive media coverage. I thought it wise to check the format of the show because I knew one act was stealthily conspiring to promote themselves by under-minding the other acts. I learned years earlier that true promotion comes from God – not via dirty tricks.

My suspicion was correct. The conniving act was moved up to my spot. Though angry and a bit hurt, experience has taught me to stabilize my emotions before reacting.

I calmly asked the stage manager to explain why my performance was moved down in the show. Obviously uncomfortable, he referred me to his boss. His boss gave me a rambling senseless answer. The bottom line was the conniving act had successfully stolen my spot.

As I stood in front of management ready to argue for my well-earned position in the show, a still small voice in my brain instructed me, “Say OK, turn, and walk away.”

My wife Mary, upset about this latest attack of my Nemesis anxiously awaited to know the result of my meeting with management. I told her, “I don’t know what this is about, but I have decided to trust God”.

The renowned celebrity excited and captivated the audience. Afterward, the TV cameras and media along with the audience’s attention continued to follow the celebrity off stage.

The emcee introduced the conniving act, but nobody cared. Their performance was overshadowed by the lingering presence of the renowned celebrity; media seeking interviews and audience seeking autographs.

When the celebrity retired to back stage, the emcee gave me an unexpected enthusiastic and glowing introduction. I was received with thunderous applause. All the TV cameras, media and the audience’s attention were refocused back to the stage. Wow! I could not have planned it better. My performance was a huge hit. The audience applauded seeking an encore.

Whatever God has planned for you can not be taken away by man. God had my back.

“Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American
LloydMarcus.com

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: It’s Only Words.

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: It’s Only Words

Folks, I have learned there is powerful creative energy in what we say. Over the years, I have learned to guard my tongue. However, I must stay diligent in my quest to only sow what I want into the air rather than feeding fear.

I said to my wife, “My direct deposit check has not arrived yet, right?” I should have simply asked, “Has my direct deposit arrived?” Can you see the difference? The difference is subtle, but important. My question to my wife without cause assumed a negative. Immediately assuming the negative has dire consequences and is a habit which needs to be broken.

The Bible tells us to guard our words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21 Wow!

Self help gurus have made millions telling people to watch what they say; speak positive affirmations and never go negative.

I have witnessed this truth first hand.

On a few occasions, my mind was full of negative thoughts, predictions and fears. In the past, I would speak my negative thoughts out loud; call family and friends to whine to them. I was nurturing my negative thoughts increasing their power, life and energy.

Recently, I made a decision to stop saying what I do not want. I either say nothing or say something positive; in faith and trust in God. The results have been spectacular.

Upon realizing this truth, I cringe every time I hear a loved one say, “I will never get well”, “I will always struggle financially” or “I see no way my situation will ever get better”.

Folks, I am not talking about some new age mumbo jumbo. I am speaking from personal experience and a much higher authority, the Bible. Guard your tongue!

Say what you want to happened rather than what you do not want to materialize. It is just that simple.

“I will be the first senior on the cover of Muscle Magazine. I will be listed in Forbes as one of the wealthiest people in the world.” OK, perhaps these affirmations are a little over the top, but please allow me to have a little fun with this. Besides, I would rather err on the side of being too positive.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

 

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Invisible Wall

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Invisible Wall

Years ago when I was in my twenties, I paid a weekend visit to the home of a fellow black buddy. He talked about the “white people” on his job. It struck me odd. These were people he had worked with every day for years. Together, they celebrated birthdays, fellow-shipped at company picnics, shared family joys and tragedies. And yet, he did not refer to them as Joe, Dave, Pam or Sue. He referred to them as a monolithic group, “white people”. There are whites equally guilty.

Some folks view race as an invisible wall which separates them from those outside of their race. Their attitude is while we can have a surface relationship, I will never totally let you “in” because of your race. Such a mindset robs one of rewarding relationships.

I have been blessed with an ability to relate to people of all races as individuals. Candidly, I have been criticized for having “too many white friends” or “being too comfortable around whites”.

In dealing with people as individuals, guess what I have discovered? Good people and jerks come in all colors. Just because you share the same skin color as someone does not mean that person is a better friend than someone of a different race. My goodness. It seems absurd that I would have to state such an obvious truth.

When I was away from home in the army, the neighborhood guys back at home who were trying to hook up with my young bride were not white, they were fellow blacks.

Unfortunately, the people who seek to divide and keep us at each other’s throats are politicians. However, I am pleased to report that the younger generation, in general, are smashing through their invisible walls of race and relating to each other as individuals. Yes, despite the rhetoric of race profiteering politicians, we have come a long ways baby regarding race relations in America today.

Dr King would be proud. “I have a dream…little black boys and little black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and little white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.”

Call me an Uncle Tom or whatever, but I am soooo sick of politicians attempting to win emotion driven black voter support for whatever program or policy they wish to sell by making it about race. This tactic insults our intelligence. Such divisive politicians have truly reached and surpassed their “jump-the-shark-moment” with me in regards to playing the race card.

Racism is evil. Thus, branding someone a racist should not be done frivolously.

Dear Lord, just like you destroyed the walls of Jericho, I pray that You continue tearing down invisible walls of race which divide us.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

 

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Meet Joe

Monday, March 12th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Meet Joe

I was 17. The summer before beginning at the Maryland Institute College of Art on a scholarship, I landed a job at Joe Canale Signs. Mr. Canale was a kind and jolly Italian. He had four young black artists working for him.

One of us four blacks was Joe F. who was a few years older than me. I lived in suburbia with my intact family. Joe was raised in a low income area of the inner city by his grandmother. Joe spent a year in jail for petty crime.

Joe was also attending the Maryland Institute a year or so ahead of me. I am the oldest of five children. Joe became the big brother I never had. Along with his “street smarts”, I was fascinated by Joe’s common sense logic, go get what you want nature and individual mindedness.

This was the early 70s. While our black buddies were consumed with black power protests and believing white America was burning the midnight oil thinking of ways to “keep blacks down”, Joe focused on his studies and working part-time to pay his tuition. The quality I admired most about Joe is that he never allowed anyone’s beliefs or limitations to influence his choices.

Joe and I were working on a college project together. My job was to find a special paper. I told Joe I looked everywhere and could not find the paper. Joe interrogated me and concluded I had not looked “everywhere”. I was annoyed at Joe, but in my heart I knew he was right. That was Joe; simply get it done without excuses.

After graduation, Joe drove a school bus to work his way through grad school. Joe became the first black to land a job as an art director at a major Baltimore Advertising Agency. Today, Joe enjoys substantial prestige and wealth.

An artist whom I will call Jim was hands down the most artistically talented/gifted of the four of us blacks who worked at Joe Canale Signs. Extremely street smart, Jim thought he was too smart for college. He got caught stealing from our generous and kind employer on at least two occasions. Amazingly, our employer forgave Jim. Jim justified his betrayal of our boss saying he is white and they owe us. Without remorse, referring to our employer, Jim said, “F” him”.

Joe told me he saw Jim a few years ago. Our super talented charismatic friend had become a drug addict and looked like a homeless person. Joe said the horrific decline of our friend broke his heart.

Joe believed he could become successful and he did. Jim believed blacks can’t make it in a white man’s world and he could not. The Bible says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Turning Point

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Turning Point

I talk often about gratitude because I believe it pleases God and is a key to success. In 1993, I was enjoying a successful 15 year career as an award-winning art department supervisor at an ABC affiliate TV station in Baltimore. Mary and I had the good life; a beautiful home with a swimming pool, two cars, designer wardrobe, hair cuts by stylists and dinners at expensive restaurants.

Candidly, I was young, spoiled, impatient and ungrateful. Part-time on weekends, vacations and etc, I pursued a second career in music as a singer/songwriter. I remember having a temper tantrum in my kitchen smashing dishes against the wall frustrated because my music career was not progressing.

Due to a series of events which I explain in my book, “Confessions of a Black Conservative”, I resigned from my “great job” to pursue a music career full-time. Remarkably, my amazingly supportive wife agreed to risk everything for me to pursue my dream. It was a crazy decision. We did not have sufficient money in the bank or a plan.

My unthoughtful choice confirms that God still takes care of idiots. Despite falling six months behind in our mortgage, we did not lose our home.

However, over time, we lost our cars and everything which made us hotshot “yuppies” (Young Urban Professionals). As a matter of fact, we were reduced to driving an old car formerly owned by Mary’s parents which was passed around the family to whoever needed a vehicle.

One day, the car died at the foot of the hill at the entrance of our community. A few men who were down on their luck, alcoholic or whatever were hanging around the entrance. They kindly attempted to help me get my car started. The car would not start.

Neighbors drove by watching me and “these men” working on my piece of crap car. I thought, “Wow, I was the community celebrity who worked at the TV station and had the annual VIP party written about in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper society page. Look how far I have fallen.”

We pushed my car to the side of the road and I walked up the hill back to my home.

As I walked, I said, “Thank you Lord that I do not have an important appointment today.”

Folks, I can not explain it, but somehow, I knew my small statement of gratitude was a crucial turning point in my life.

Little did I know our remarkable adventure was just beginning. Things financially went from bad to much worse. And yet, Mary and I survived and most importantly, we grew in our faith and as human beings. We learned that it is not all about us. We also learned to be grateful for EVERYTHING!

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Forgive!

Monday, February 20th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Forgive!

I have learned that forgiveness is extremely important. In my youth, I was care giver for an elderly neighbor dying of Cancer. On his death bed, he uttered, “I have forgiven my brother”.

The night before my mom died, she phoned a relative and forgave her ending a 40 year grudge. Apparently, God’s children are lead to forgave before leaving this world.

Sometimes forgiveness can be impossible in our own strength and requires divine help.

Years ago, a couple were house sitting for us while Mary and I were out of town. Mary owned and loved an expensive Blue Fronted Amazon parrot. Mary trained the bird to sit on her shoulder. She took it to fairs and festivals; always a crowd-pleaser.

Before leaving town, Mary specifically instructed our house sitters not to take her parrot outside.

Upon returning home, we saw all our neighbors outside looking up into the trees. Elke, the wife half of our house sitting couple had taken Mary’s parrot outside to show-off. Mary’s beloved bird was gone; it flew away.

Heartbroken, angry and devastated, Mary hated Elke. Forgiveness was impossible.

While as a Christian Mary knew she had to forgive Elke and despite much praying about it, Mary simply could not forgive her.

We attended a church service in which the speaker spoke on the importance of forgiveness. The speaker prayed with Mary and the miracle happened. Mary forgave Elke. Praise God!

Forgiveness does not mean you keep unpleasant people in your life. Some people are best loved from a far. I am careful about who I allow in my life, surrounding myself with people who celebrate me rather than simply tolerate me.

However, I will not allow the poison of holding a grudge against anyone to infect my soul.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd Marcus Weekly: America Needs Hero, Samuel L. Jackson and Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Pets

Monday, February 20th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Are Our Pets Spiritual Assignments

I believe our pets are spiritually assigned to us. Mary and I had a Border Collie which apparently was not meant to be with us. He dug his way out under our backyard fence and disappeared. Mary searched for him at three dog pounds without success.

At one of the pounds, Mary and a big black Border Collie connected. She told an attendant, if no one claims him, I will come and get him.

The next day, the pound called to inform Mary the collie was scheduled to be “put down” that day. Mary was headed out the door of our Maryland home to visit her parents in West Virginia. She asked if they could hold the dog until she returned a day or so later. They replied, “No”.

So, Mary picked up “Rush” and took him with her to visit her parents. Mary said Rush appeared extremely nervous and fearful and never left her side. Every time she fed the dog, he would take his paw and tip over his bowl. He would eat a little of his food and bury the rest for later.

It took a while before Rush grasped the concept that we would feed him every day. The slightest raise in our voices would cause Rush to shake, run and hide with his tail between his legs. If anyone walked within five feet of Rush, he would get up and move. Obviously, the poor dog had been abused.

Rush also had a fear of being left behind. Whenever Mary brought out our suitcases, Rush would follow us from room to room.

You can imagine Rush’s panic seeing us filling the moving fan to relocate to Florida.

Rush had several health issues which baffled our vets. Numerous drugs did not stop Rush from periods of losing hair and emitting a foul odor. Still, Rush was our dog. God had assigned him to us.

There are people like our dog Rush who have been kicked around and abused so much and for so long, they expect it. When true love, care and understanding comes along, it takes awhile for them to believe and accept it.

During a thunder storm, a frighten, shivering and almost blind little Cocker Spaniel appeared on our front porch. We called him “puppy”. We thought by not giving him a formal name, we would not get too attached and stay open to finding him a home. We paid for surgery on puppy’s eyes.

When we relocated to Florida from Maryland, the moving van went ahead of us. We drove down in our car with Puppy and Rush who was stinking to high heaven in the back seat; twelve hundred miles.

God truly does give you the grace to do what He has called you to do.

We had both dogs for at least fifteen years. Puppy still eventually went blind. Rush became Puppy’s seeing eye dog companion. When Rush died, Puppy died a month later.

We gave both dogs, Rush and Puppy, good extended lives.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Samuel L. Jackson: Look Beyond Race, Assess The Man!

Are you as sick of hearing me talking about race as I am talking about it? For crying out loud, all I ask is that liberals please, please, please look beyond their emotions and Obama’s skin color and honestly assess the man. It is stunning that liberals still think I should be totally committed to supporting this man solely because he is America’s first black president and we share the same skin-color.

 

Suppose the black pastor of a church was discovered to be a child molester? Would the congregation continue to support their pedophile pastor because they share the same skin-color? Of course, not.

 

And yet, black actor Samuel L. Jackson, his liberal Hollywood buddies and a majority of black voters believe Obama’s character, policies and agenda are irrelevant. Jackson said he voted for Obama because he is black. http://politi.co/AktzCW Americans are expected to mindlessly support Obama, especially black Americans, solely because Obama is black. Folks, not only is such thinking immoral, racist and scary, it is just plain stupid. By the way, I looove Samuel L. Jackson movies.

 

As Leader of the Free World, Obama’s character and agenda are of the utmost importance. His skin color should be irrelevant. And yet, small-minded black racists and guilt-driven whites believe loyalty to skin-color should trump everything; right and wrong, good and evil. Sadly, Obama has caused even some Christians to forsake their first love, Christ, to worship an idol of race.

 

When Obama attacked freedom of religion by demanding that Catholic institutions fund baby killing, liberal Catholics continued their mantra, must support the black president. Committed Christians yelled, No, Mr President! Put us in jail, but we will not deny Christ for your evil mandate! A master of lies, manipulation, smoke and mirrors, Obama said, OK, I will order insurance companies to offer free abortion/contraceptive services. Bull Hockey! Nothing in life is free.

 

By forcing private insurance companies to provide free baby killing services, Obama is continuing his trashing of our Constitution. The president has no authority to force private industry to provide anything, nor can he force citizens to purchase anything. Obama’s presidency is straight out of the Twilight Zone; an unprecedented outrageous overreach of power and assault on individual freedom. Still, Obama zombies demand that I support my black president. Obama is destroying MY country. Why on earth would I support him?

 

Urban black student’s in the DC voucher school program were testing through the roof. Obama ended the program pandering to the teachers union whose dues fund the Democratic Party. Obama denied black parents the right to rescue their kids from the dangerous black-board-jungle known as the DC public school system.

 

Self-induced black genocide. Half of all black babies are aborted. Blacks are the only race in America on the decline. By 2038, the black vote will be insignificant. And yet, Obama is obsessed with forcing taxpayers to fund Planned Parenthood. Oh, did I mention that Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood was an unapologetic racist?

 

 But Samuel, “true brothers” like you expect us to ignore Obama’s passionate loyalty to an organization which was founded to exterminate blacks. Seventy-eight percent of Planned Parenthood clinics are in black neighborhoods. Thirty-five percent of babies aborted in America are black. Could Planned Parenthood be targeting blacks, giving us the “shaft”? Can you dig it?

 

Despite these documented Obama assaults on freedom, I will receive emails, “You should be ashamed being black and not supporting the president!” I do not reply to people who are “stuck on stupid and racism”.

 

Here is a video illustrating the vitriolic disdain black mind-numb racists have for black conservatives. “Click Here” This bullying black radio show host viciously attacks his female black conservative guest; insulting everything from her intellect to her physical appearance. He drills her. “Do you support Barack Obama?” His template – blacks not supporting Obama regardless of his policies/agenda are stupid traitors. He also believes the tea party is racist and blacks who belong to it are a disgrace.

 

I would have boldly proclaimed, “NO!, I do not support Obama. YES!, I am a proud member of the Tea Party” Then, I would proceed to nail that “jive turkey” to the wall with truth and facts. Though the host still would not get it, I prayerfully believe some in his audience would hear and receive the truth.

 

Mr Jackson, America has been pretty darn good to you. Your extraordinary success as an actor is well deserved. You earned it. But, what will in take for successful blacks such as you to set aside their bitterness and racism and liberal whites to get over their guilt to consider what is best for all Americans? Enough with the tired old 70s militant black rhetoric.

 

Mr Jackson, saying you support Obama solely because he is black is a slap in the face to the millions of your fellow American white fans who pay ten bucks a pop to see your movies. It is shameful for you to make such a blatantly racist proclamation. C’mon bro, I believe you are better than that.

 

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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America Desperately Needs A Hero…but Who?

Stunned Americans are asking, “Why would Obama, in an election year, boldly trash the first amendment, forcing Catholic institutions to provide birth control, abortion drugs, and other contraceptive services which go against their faith?”  These baffled, naïve people still do not get it.  First and foremost, Obama is a hardcore leftist hater of America as we know it.  He is laser-focused on implementing his vowed fundamental transformation of America into a socialistic, secular-progressive Disneyland.

 

As proven by their gleeful willingness to exempt Obama from the usual vetting process during his 2008 presidential campaign, the liberal mainstream media has given Obama every reason to be confident in their cover and support as Obama ignores the Constitution to fulfill his anti-America anti-freedom agenda.

 

For three years, we have witnessed Obama slowly peeling off his well-crafted “moderate” mask.  Our first glimpse of the real Obama was his unprecedented government hostile takeover of private secular auto companies and his bullying banks to accept government bailouts.

 

Then, despite a majority of Americans screaming “No!” to ObamaCare, Obama basically said “screw y’all” and forced the passage of his health care bill.  A Rasmussen poll that week showed that 55% of Americans wanted it repealed.  It did not matter. The king had decreed it so.  Displaying off-the-chain arrogance and dictatorial power, Obama’s enforcer, Nancy Pelosi, ruled that “[w]e have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it.”  Yes, even Democrats who voted to pass the bill were clueless regarding its content.  Obama revealed a little more of the man behind the mask.

 

Due to my commitment to make my point as concisely as possible, I will not list Obama’s unprecedented overreaching power-grabs, trashing of the Constitution, and crimes against individual freedoms.  Let’s just say that Obama has revealed two-thirds of his true face.  What we are seeing is more horrifying than anyone could have possibly imagined.

 

If un-repealed, ObamaCare will literally give this man (Obama) power to dictate which Americans live or die — that is, total control of our lives.  Lord help us.  Only God should have such power.

 

My black centenarian grandmother cried tears of joy when Obama was elected.  Ironically, her hero’s government-controlled health care, which will be rationed, equals a death sentence for my grandma if she needs an expensive procedure.  Economist Thomas Sowell points out that government health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost.  The sick, the elderly, and the disabled will suffer the most when the government rations care.  Obama blatantly suggested that a senior might consider taking a pill rather than having surgery.

 

Clearly, Obama feels emboldened to do whatever he pleases.  If Obama is arrogant enough to ignore the First Amendment and “dis” a huge bloc of Catholic supporters in an election year, think how full-blown, no-hold-barred, out-of-control his attacks on freedom will be if he is re-elected.

 

To save America, we must select a conservative nominee best capable of defeating Obama.  I believe that candidate is Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum.

 

Now, I respect y’all too much to blow smoke claiming Newt to be a great conservative.  Frankly, his attacks on Bain Capital infuriated me.  However, there are things I love about Newt.  Newt is brilliant at articulating conservatism and experienced at successfully implementing conservative ideas.  But most of all, Newt understands that the biggest, most destructive threat to America as we know it is Barrack Hussein Obama.  And also extremely important is the fact that Newt is not intimidated by the “race thing.”  Newt does not give a hoot about being called a racist.  Newt is fearlessly eager to aggressively address America’s problem which is Obama.

 

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are good, decent men.  However, I do not believe that Romney has the stomach to say and do what needs to be done to defeat Obama.  While I will enthusiastically support whichever of our candidates winning the Republican nomination, I disagree with Paul’s foreign policy ideas.

 

I really like Santorum.  However, I am not confident that he can raise the funds necessary to override Obama’s billion-dollar campaign.

 

Also, right or wrong, like it or not, a presidential candidate has to have “it,” a special charisma.  How else could an inexperienced freshman senator like Obama win the presidency of the United States?  Newt Gingrich has “it.”  Again, I admit, he “ain’t” perfect.  But Newt does not wish to end America as we know it.  Obama does and will!

 

Brother and sister patriot Americans, like Bonnie Tyler sang in her song, “I Need a Hero,” America desperately needs a hero.  I believe that that person is Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum.

 

If Obama is allowed to continue his occupation of the White House after November 6, 2012, he will boldly remove his mask, completely revealing his face.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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American Tea Party Anthem CD/Album

   15.95 + 3.00 s/h = $18.95

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TEA ARE THE WORLD

by Norvell Rose

The story of the song, the spirit of the movement.

“Taking Back America”, the documentary based on the new song by Lloyd Marcus, chronicles History in the Making of Music. Appreciate the talent and experience the passion of American Tea Party musicians who come together to raise their voices one Saturday in June 2011, all in the name of liberty.

“Taking Back America” is one song on the TEA ARE THE WORLD 2CD/DVD set, featuring original works by talented Tea Party singers and songwriters. Sales of the TEA ARE THE WORLD collection benefit America’s Mighty Warriors and military families around the country.

AmericasMightyWarriors.org

 

CLICK HERE to view

Please, feel free to embed this video trailer, send it, share it. And also, please attend a Tea Party near you.

CLICK HERE for more video

of interveiws of artists by Jeff Bruzzo of Project Shining City, who came to Florida from New York to be a part of The TEA ARE THE WORLD Project.

CLICK HERE to Purchase

*2 compact disks, 1 DVD and 10 page booklet

*40 Original songs

*The “Tea Are The World” with America’s Mighty Warriors documentary

*”Taking Back America” music video

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From our dear friend, Nina May of

Renaissance Women Productions:

    We were just notified that Life Fine Tuned is going to be featured in the International Family Film Festival in Hollywood, Calif. In March as a feature length drama.
Last month Life Fine Tuned received two DC Peer Awards, for editing and production
And next month, Life Fine Tuned will be screened during the CPAC convention in DC.
We have had successful screenings in Richmond, McLean Bible Church, Heritage Foundation, the S.E. Tennis and Learning Center in DC, and on Little Gasparilla Island in Florida, which have all helped us “fine tune” the movie.
Thanks for all your support!!
Nina

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Lloyd Marcus:

Chairman of The Campaign to Defeat Barack Obama.

Lloyd is singer/songwriter of the American Tea Party Anthem and author of Confessions of a Black Conservative, foreword by Michele Malkin.

Spokesperson for Tea Party Express

Please help me spread my message by joining my Liberty Network.

LloydMarcus.com

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Please help me spread my message by joining my Liberty Network.

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If you haven’t yet, please click below and join Lloyd in defeating Obama!

Confessions of a Black Conservative:

How the Left has shattered the dreams of

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black America

Available on Amazon: click here

Lloyd Marcus, Unhyphenated American

Chairman of The Campaign to Defeat Barack Obama.

Lloyd is singer/songwriter of the American Tea Party Anthem

and author of Confessions of a Black Conservative foreword by Michele Malkin.

Spokesperson for Tea Party Express 

LloydMarcus.com

Email: LloydMarcus@bellsouth.net

 

 

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Grateful For The Old Wise Man In My Life.

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Grateful For The Old Wise Man In My Life.

Whenever I mention sports to my wife, her eyes glaze over. Thus, I preface my comments saying “This is not about sports. It’s about life”.

Quarterback Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys pro football team masterfully lead his team down the field to pending victory. All they needed to do was kick a short field goal to win the game. Romo was supposed to spot/hold the ball on the ground for his kicker. Unbelievably, Romo dropped the ball destroying his kicker’s opportunity to kick the winning field goal.

With only minutes left in the game, Romo sat on the sideline heartbroken with his head hung low.

Former pro football coach John Madden was one of the TV announcers. Madden said, “Somebody needs to tell Romo to get his head up. This game is not over and he still has to lead his team”.

Madden was saying leadership is understanding it is not about you. As the Bible says, “To whom much is given, much is required”. You do not have the luxury of sulking over your mistakes. True leadership is putting the needs of your team before your needs. Now, get your head together and get back out there and LEAD!

There was something heartwarming about the strong wise old coach mentoring the young quarterback.

A psychologist on TV said fathers are not particularly necessary. She said there is nothing a boy needs to know that can not be taught to him by his mother. I thought,“This woman went to college to learn this nonsense”.

Boys and young men crave male bonding and mentoring by respected elders. This is why so many single parent household fatherless boys join gangs.

We need more Godly men teaching boys how to become men.

The other day, I called my 84 year old dad for counsel regarding a matter that was “bugging” me. As usual, dad came through with wise advice. I thought, “What a blessing it is that I can still reap the benefits of dad’s character, wisdom and experience”.

At 84, dad’s brain is still sharp as a tack!

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Promotion Comes From God.

Monday, January 30th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

What I am about to share is a little embarrassing. I pray my honesty will bless you. Many years ago, Baltimore, Maryland media was buzzing about an upcoming high profile fundraiser for a charity.

I was not passionate about the charity. Still, I worked and was successful in getting my name added to the list of performers simply because, this is embarrassing for me to admit, I thought it would help my career.

My performance was a disaster; everything that could go wrong did. In hindsight, I realized I had forced myself into a situation where I did not belong.

Years later after relocating to Central Florida, an Orlando radio station was hosting a Support Our Troops Rally. I’m very patriotic and supportive of our U.S. Military. I thought my original song, “Celebrate America” which I performed in Maryland for years at U.S. Immigration Ceremonies, would be perfect for the radio station’s troop support rally.

I phoned the producer of the rally and remarkably, sight unseen, not knowing me from Adam, he added me to the program. My heart and motives were in the right place. “Celebrate America” was a huge hit.

My Orlando performance with six thousand in the audience lead to me being asked to perform at a Glenn Beck troop support rally in Tampa with 19,000 in the audience. My Tampa performance lead to being asked to perform at troop support rallies in Washington DC covered on national TV.

A Sacramento, CA company saw me at a DC rally and invited me to go on national tours. I have performed for millions and God continues to open exciting new doors.

Promotion comes from God. I have learned that I do not need to “soup up” to anyone to get them to like me. I do not need to scheme or jockey for position.

Please do not get me wrong. I am not promoting laziness disguised at “trusting God”. We should pursue our dreams. The Bible says, “faith without works is dead”.

But, “go for it” God’s Way. Be honest and true; always desiring to make a positive difference in every situation. This is the key to rock solid success.

Recognizing the truth that promotion does not come from man, but from God is extremely liberating. I can simply relax and be at peace. I know that as long as I am trusting and sensitive to His leading, God will always place me exactly where I am suppose to be.

I’m chillin’ in Christ. Ice tea anyone?

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: 93 Year Old White Woman Taught Me A Little About Race & People

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Mary’s mom and dad who raised her are loving in-laws. Despite years of marriage, Mary’s “birth” mother still refuses to meet me or acknowledge our marriage because I am black. Her mother, Easter Pansy, is Mary’s grandmother.

A few years ago, Mary and I flew up to Baltimore from Florida to visit family. Mary wanted to visit her 93 year old grandmother. Easter Pansy was still living on her own with Davey, her 50 year old Down Syndrome son. We attribute the necessity for Easter Pansy to care for Davey to be the secret to her unique youthful energy.

Mary wanted me to meet “the great Easter Pansy” her beloved destine to be a centenarian grandmother. But given that her daughter, my wife’s birth mom, was a racist and Easter Pansy’s old age, I thought it best not to make waves.

I explained to my wife, “This woman is from a era when interracial dating was considered shocking and shameful. I’ll just drop you off for your visit and you can call me when you are ready to leave.” Though she disagreed and was disappointed, Mary complied.

Mary said when Easter Pansy opened her front door, she asked, “Where is your husband?” “He dropped me off,” she replied. Mary said Easter Pansy ran outside, amazingly swift for a 93 year old, to the curb to catch me. I was gone. Easter Pansy told Mary, “You tell that young man he is always welcome in my home and I love him.”

Wow! An elderly white woman whom I never met said she loved me. I learned that you can not make assumptions about who or what a person is based on age or geography. In Easter Pansy’s youth, black men were killed for even looking at white women. So, I assumed Easter Pansy’s granddaughter marrying a black man would be too much for her. I was wrong. I wonder if you could argue that my assumption was even a bit racist?

When I finally met Easter Pansy, she gave me a great big hug. Obviously, nobody told her what to think or do. Even at 93, she was a radiant, strong, feisty and independent woman of character; an awesome human being.

Easter Pansy served Davey, Mary and I her homemade apple pie. It was delicious.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Importance Of An I Love My Wife Day

Monday, January 16th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Importance Of An I Love My Wife Day

Please do not think I am lobbying for Husband of The Year. I am not. However Mary, my beautiful wife of thirty years, has proven herself to be a wonderful gift from God to me.

In love and gratitude, from time to time I pray, “Lord, show me how to bless my wife today”. It came to me to ask Mary what she would like to do and submit to her request. Mary wanted us to shop for three red items to accessorize the new side table in our great room.

Talk about, as they say on Star Trek, “to boldly go where no man has gone before”, we went to seven, yes, I said seven stores; carefully studying designs, colors and whether or not an item was properly themed for our room.

Then, there was the “coupon /percentage off thing” about which Mary was well educated. We had to go to this store because she had a 30% off coupon; another store offered 15% off on Tuesdays, another store offered 70% off. I am convinced that not even “world peace” could excite Mary more than 70% off.

I also learned no shopping spree would be complete without a visit to Starbuck’s for coffee. What is this love affair women have with Starbuck’s? There was a line to purchase coffee, of which, 90% were women.

Just when I thought my “good hubby” ordeal was over, Mary excitedly asked, “You don’t mind if we go to Pier One do you?” “Of course not”, I replied with a big smile on my face. Then, Mary named three additional stores she wanted to visit. All toll, we visited eleven stores.

Our quest to find and purchase the perfect three red items for the new side table was unfruitful. However, we did purchase a lamp for another area of our room.

Without Mary knowing it, I had made a commitment to God and her for the day to do whatever she wanted to do. If she wanted to drag, I mean, ask me to accompany her to twenty stores, I would have done it with a smile.

Mercifully, after visiting eleven stores, it was dinner time. Upon Mary’s request, the grand finale of our “shopping date” was dinner at a new sushi restaurant she wanted to try out.

During dinner, Mary exclaimed, “I had so much fun shopping. Thank you.” Seeing Mary’s pleasure was well worth enduring her shopping marathon.

Guys, from time to time, it is good to show your wife you love and appreciate her. There’s an old saying, “If momma ain’t happy, nobody is happy”.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

 

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: An Unexpected Gift From God

Monday, January 9th, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: An Unexpected Gift From God

A few Christmases ago, Mary and I flew up from Florida to the hills of West Virginia to visit her parents. Our stay was very enjoyable. The printer connected to her mom’s computer was not working. To print our boarding passes for our return flight home, we would have to drive a few miles to town to use the printer at Mary’s sister’s office.

Before Mary pulled out of the driveway headed for town, Mary’s mom yelled out the back door to us, “Use Grassy Lick Road, it’s shorter!”

Upon seeing the sign, we turned off the main road on to Grassy Lick Road traveling higher up into the hills. Almost immediately, we lost the radio signal. Finding another station proved impossible, so we turned off the radio.

Grassy Lick Road was extremely winding. We passed several small farms; cows and goats grazing. Despite not seeing a single soul, we saw evidence of completed chores, works in progress, piles of chopped wood and hay rolled into giant wheels. While it was not cold, a chill was in the air. A breeze carried the aroma of someone’s fireplace. A warm, wholesome and good vibe emanated from the farms.

Excited, I yelled, “Look Hon, there’s a deer!” Then, we saw another, then another; five deer in total before we reached the main highway. We saw different flocks flying, heard various birds and other assorted sounds of nature including a stream flowing.

It took around ten minutes for us to reach the main highway. Almost simultaneously, Mary and I said, “Wow, was that awesome or what?” We realized we had not spoken from the time we turned off the radio at the beginning of Grassy Lick Road to the end. Silently riding, we both unconsciously meditated on the peaceful picturesque settings, sounds and smells of nature. Magically, we felt relaxed and refreshed.

God transformed a negative, Mary’s mom’s printer not working, into a neat unexpected little gift for Mary and me.

Romans 8:28 in the Bible says God works ALL things for good for those who love Him. Realizing His gift and His blessing, we thanked God for our delightful trek along Grassy Lick Road.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Reporting For Duty Lord

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Reporting for Duty Lord.

This is a true story of divine appointment. Several years ago when my wife Mary and I lived in Maryland, we were on our way to dinner when we ran out of gas on the Baltimore beltway. This was before cell phones.

Dressed for dinner, I helped my high heeled wife scale a six foot fence into a community. It was after dark. We knocked on a door, hoping to use the phone. Amazingly, the husband of a young couple opened the door, believed our story and invited us in to use the phone. I called my dad to bring us gas.

Upon hanging up the phone, the obviously stressed couple shared that before being interrupted by our knock at their door, they were discussing whether or not to abort their baby. The timing of her pregnancy was financially awful! They had one child. A second would send their teetering on financial disaster situation over the edge.

Mary and I assured the conflicted couple that God had everything under control. “Trust Him and have your baby.” My dad arrived. Mary and I thanked the couple for their hospitality and were on our way.

Our car started after putting in the gas dad brought. As I drove, I said to Mary, “What was that about? It was weird on so many levels”. First, this young couple allowed a strange couple into their home. Then, they included us into a very personal discussion.

Years later, I accompanied an elderly neighbor seeking to purchase a car to a Used Car dealership.

While a salesman was showing my elderly friend a car, the owner approached me. “Sir, you probably do not remember me.” He went on to explain that he and his wife struggled with the decision whether or not to abort their baby. They had the child and love him dearly. He thanked me for Mary and my counsel.

I remember a song from my childhood we use to sing in my preacher dad’s storefront church titled, “I’m A Soldier in the Army of the Lord”.

As Christian soldiers and humble servants, we embrace our Commander in Chief interrupting our routine, redirecting our path to fulfill “side missions” for His purpose. Over the years, Mary and I have learned to trust God and not-go-negative when things appear to go wrong. We say, “Okay Lord, we do not know what this is about. But, we praise and trust You.”

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: An Unwrapped Christmas Gift

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

 

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons:  An Unwrapped Christmas Gift
Mary phoned her mom to thank her and dad for the Christmas gift they sent us. Mom reported that dad got his Flu shot yesterday. Mom was in the process of baking bread to take over Mac and Mary’s sister Melanie’s house that night. Mary’s other sister Donna, her husband Mark and their son Ben, home from college, were driving up from Baltimore to join them at Melanie and Mac’s beautiful Christmas card setting West Virginia home. Due to various obligations, they decided to have an early family Christmas celebration. Florida obligations prevented Mary and I from attending.

Mary’s mom said this was the first time she and dad decided not to put up a Christmas tree for fear of the speedy crawling new grand-baby pulling it down. Mary said, “I don’t remember them being so easy going when we were kids”.

Now I know what you are thinking. I must confess, as Mary was telling me all of this stuff, my mind began to wander. I, like you, was thinking, who cares! But then it dawned on me. Wow, this is great! Mary’s mom was sharing non-eventful, typical, normal, boring family stuff.

Well, that is exactly my point. God has blessed our family with another year. No one is seriously ill. No one has died. Yes, it is all so wonderfully normal and gloriously boring; an unwrapped Christmas gift from God. What a blessing! Praise God!

My dad told me over the phone how he endured Christmas shopping with my stepmother. Dad asked me to keep her knee replacement surgery in prayer. But otherwise, they are happy and doing fine.

I think I will call my brother David for his NFL playoff game predictions. Lisa, my daughter, texted me about her Christmas plans. I stopped in Deltona Records where Frank, my music producer and dear friend of 20 years, was excited about me hearing the song he recorded sung by his daughter who has blossomed into a beautiful young woman.

Yes, I am talking about all non-eventful, normal boring family and friends stuff. I pray that your Christmas and holiday season is as wonderfully normal and non-eventful as mine.

Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season. Mary and I truly wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Blessed New Year!

By the way, that new grand-kid is totally out of control.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Getting What You Give

Monday, December 19th, 2011

 

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: Getting What You Give
According to news reports, Black Friday shoppers were rude, crude and out-of-control. People were assaulting each other with fists, pepper spray and one incident even involved a gun. It sounded pretty threatening and crazy out there in Shopper’s Land.

Brave soul that I am, I found the courage to venture out Black Friday to hunt down the stuff on my list. While shopping, I cut off a gentleman who was pushing his cart to the checkout. Realizing my rudeness, I bid the gentleman to go ahead of me in line. He smiled and said, “No, you go”. However, I insisted and he said, “Thank you”.

At another store, a female complete stranger and I stumbled into chatting about how we spent and enjoyed our Thanksgiving. Even the checkout clerk joined in sharing a rave review of her Thanksgiving. Our three way conservation ended with us wishing each other a good day.

My Black Friday adventure did not include a single angry or violent shopper; no fists of fury, pepper spray or guns.

Sometimes trouble is unavoidable. But, in most cases, we create our world. In other words, we get what we give. People tend to respond to you based on how you treat them.

I remember when we were kids, my cousin seemed to get into a fight everywhere he went. My dad asked Vernon why he was the only kid in the family fighting all the time? Vernon replied, “People are always messin’ with me!”

Dad said, “Isn’t it interesting the common denominator in every violent incident is you?” Even into adulthood, Vernon never did grasp dad’s point.

Meanwhile, I can not go to the post office without postal clerk Rick excitedly telling me about the latest piece of furniture he is building.

My local fruit stand owner always jokes with me and makes sure to keep my favorite fruits and veggies in stock. Thanks to God and the way I treat people, my world is a beautiful place.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Extraordinary Leg-less Man

Friday, December 9th, 2011

A new weekly feature from Lloyd Marcus…

Lloyd’s Life Lessons: The Extraordinary Leg-less Man

My performance of a song at an event did not meet my usual standard. While I was in perfect vocal form, the incompetent sound man unintentionally sabotaged my presentation. The presentation was not bad, just mediocre. Mediocre is unacceptable because I have built a reputation and always strive to make a powerful difference impacting the audience. For the next few days, I unwisely kept reliving the presentation in my mind and feeling upset about it.

My Christianity dictates that I forgive the (idiot) sound man, learn from the experience and move on. OK, I’ll be good. I apologize for calling the sound man an idiot. While I know what I should think and do, emotionally it is difficult. I take my performances extremely serious and seek perfection.

I love taking old materials and transforming them into something beautiful. Working on such a project, I made a run to the hardware store. I parked beside a middle-age man in a wheelchair with both legs amputated at his hips. His companion was in the process of lowering his wheelchair out of his van using an electronic lift.

The leg-less man made eye contact with me. With a big smile, he uttered, “How are ya’?” I said, “Great”.

Inside the hardware store I overheard the leg-less man cheerfully chatting with a clerk, “How are you today young lady?” She replied, “Oh, it’s goin’. How ’bout you?” His response was, “It’s goin’ great! I woke up this morning.” Wow! I can not remember the last time I thanked God for giving me another day.

When I made my purchase and exited the store, the leg-less man remained inside shopping. I spoke briefly with his companion who was waiting outside. I commented on the leg-less man’s pleasantness and upbeat attitude. I asked if the gentleman lost his legs in the war.

His companion said he lost one leg in a car accident. Complications forced them to amputate his other leg. The companion said his leg-less friend’s attitude is “just who he is”.

You see where I am going with this, don’t you folks? Talk about bad luck and reasons to be bitter; the leg-less man went out of his way to bring a smile and a little sunshine to everyone he met.

As a professional singer/entertainer, I have a responsibility to hold myself to a high standard and be upset when a presentation does not go well. But, I should learn from the rare incident, forgive everyone involved including myself and move on.

There are people courageously dealing with really “difficult stuff”! I am enjoying a truly blessed life. Thus, I must focus more on an attitude of gratitude.

Lloyd Marcus, Proud Unhyphenated American

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