The Journey | Dr. Marcus Cylar

So I said in my mind initially that this episode was going to be about Starbucks, but I decided to save that segment in my drafts folder until I learn more. But anyway, I have been doing some other things lately that I want to catch you up on.

When you’re striving to create your own opportunities instead of merely waiting for someone to give you an opportunity, there are often extra things you have to do to prove your value in the marketplace.

Anchor could be in trouble if FB decided to get serious. Hope I'm wrong. (Note: I've had this episode sitting in my drafts folder for almost a month. I need to ship a lot quicker and stip waiting for perfection.)

Twitter is getting the little things right these days, which is why I believe the platform is more useful and valuable than ever.

In this episode, I discuss four personal takeaways from this week’s Carey Nieuwhof’s incredible podcast conversation with former Popeye’s CEO, Cheryl Batchelder.

Five minutes. That\u2019s all I had time for today, so I reflected upon the verse of the day and the movie of a lifetime. It was that good. #WakandaForever

One benefit of an extended period of struggle is that you are forced to have a greater perspective about your situation. Prolonged trials cause you to look deeper within and realize that perhaps it\u2019s not your circumstances, or other people, or that opportunity you just didn\u2019t get, or God just not looking out for you, but it\u2019s YOU. It\u2019s a root cause, something deep within you that you haven\u2019t identified yet that has you losing. The quicker you can identify that root cause, the quicker you can grow and finally start winning.

The way we often try to encourage those who are single or have relationship conflicts on Valentine\u2019s Day is laughable. Sometimes, it\u2019s better to just not say anything and pray in private. I promise you, you\u2019re still saved.

I\u2019m encouraged\u2014by the feedback I\u2019ve gotten about the #50SocialMediaTips; by the growth potential this fledgling platform; by some of the subtle, under-the-hood improvements to Anchor while I was away; and by how this podcast sounds. Things are not better yet, not by any means, but I am encouraged by how I\u2019m better able to encourage myself these days in spite of that.

Real-time reactions and reflections from my \u201cCan You Hear Me Now?\u201d social media ministry workshop at Ecumenical Theological Seminary over the past weekend. Getting back in the teaching saddle and doing something I haven\u2019t been able to do for a long time was incredible, and I\u2019m so thankful. Perhaps this workshop will be the inflection point for my career post-pastoral ministry; I have no clue. If it is, great, but if not, I will keep on trucking because I believe in myself and I know church communications is what I\u2019m called to do at a high level. I\u2019m just going to sit back, watch God move, and let this thing play out. I don\u2019t know how it\u2019s going to happen, but in the end, I will WIN. It\u2019s just a matter of time.

In this special episode, I briefly explain why there\u2019s both a spiritual and natural reason the Bible says \u201cPray without ceasing.\u201d | Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 148: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 Praying without ceasing: The importance of consistency \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

We all need to be encouraged as much as possible, so Romans 8 ought to be required devotional reading every morning, in addition to whatever other scriptures you read. Plus, we all need at least one person we can lean on when we get weak, or else we will die holding everything inside. Even Jesus had an inner circle. | Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 145: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171125 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Romans 8:31 \u2022 I pray you find that ONE...so you can stay encouraged \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 144: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 [1/2] My daily gratefulness 20171124 \u2022 [2/2] My daily gratefulness 20171124 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Romans 15:5-6 \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 143: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Psalm 100:4 \u2022 Things have changed regarding Black Friday \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 142: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171122 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Psalm 9:1 \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 141: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171121 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Isaiah 25:1 \u2022 UnSeminary and why I listen to so many podcasts \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 140: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171120 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Psalm 63:3-4 \u2022 Early morning thoughts (the next day): Sleep, holidays, outlasting the pain \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171118 \u2022 Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 139: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171118 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 9:15 \u2022 Patience and accountability are NOT mutually exclusive! \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 136: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171115 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Titus 2:11-12 \u2022 [1/2] The ubiquity of podcasting\u2014get yourself a some good wired headphones \u2022 [2/2] The ubiquity of podcasting\u2014get yourself a some good wired headphones \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 135: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171114 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Galatians 6:7-8 \u2022 [1/2] Marketing segment: The cell phone game has changed dramatically over time \u2022 [2/2] Marketing segment: The cell phone game has changed dramatically over time \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

You can never go wrong when you seek that which is eternal. Plus, get out of your own head\u2014talk things out (so you won\u2019t be bottled up) and write things down (so you won\u2019t forget what\u2019s important). Sounds basic enough, but the first things we always neglect are the basics. | Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 134: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 [1/2] My daily gratefulness 20171113 \u2022 [2/2] My daily gratefulness 20171113 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 1 Peter 1:24-25 \u2022 The basics: Speak. Get stuff out of your head. Write. Record what comes to you. \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

When you start the day\u2019s podcast the NEXT day, like at 12:45am, you only have time to squeeze everything into a single, five-minute, all-in-one segment with the gratefulness, devotional, and commentary (b/c it\u2019s late)...this is what it looks like. Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 133: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 An all-in-one segment: Gratefulness, devotional, and commentary (b/c it\u2019s late) \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe (Whew...) \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 132: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171111 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 3 John 1:2 \u2022 Keeping a new car clean and a relationship fresh \u2022 Miami\u2019s turnover chain: The power of incentive! \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

If we remain focused on inward improvement, we will stay encouraged. It\u2019s all a matter of perspective. | Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 131: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171110 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 4:16 \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

The uniform we wear lets people know our affiliation. Love is our uniform to let people know we serve Christ. There\u2019s no more telling characteristic than the love we have for one another. | Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 130: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171109 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: John 13:34-35 \u2022 [1/2] Michigan Football: Focusing on the right things for improvement \u2022 [2/2] Michigan Football: Focusing on the right things for improvement \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

How we treat people we don\u2019t know speaks volumes of our relationship with Christ. Plus, we discuss how Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond improved the biggest weakness in his game by changing everything in his life. Also, we talk about when happens when your hit a snag on your journey of improvement. | Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 129: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171108 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Colossians 4:5-6 \u2022 Andre Drummond's free throw shooting and what it means for us \u2022 More Drummond: Will a bad night derail you, or will you keep moving forward? \u2022 Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Don\u2019t run your mouth, but also don\u2019t run your mouth about people who run theirs. Plus, the tragic death of future Hall of Fame pitcher Roy Halladay reminds us that we must, to the best of our ability, give people their roses while they\u2019re living. Also, we have several takeaways from Snap, Inc\u2019s woeful Q3 earnings call. | Day 128: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171107 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Proverbs 13:3 \u2022 Future Hall of Famer Roy Halladay dead at age 40 \ud83d\ude2a \u2022 Gotta give people their roses while they are yet alive \u2022 Stock of Snap, Inc. drops BIG time after Q3 earnings call \u2022 Self-awareness: Snap CEO promises design change \u2022 Thank you for joining me...until next time!

All scripture is inspired by God is and sufficient for teaching; it\u2019s when we misread and misapply it that we get in trouble. Also, it\u2019s difficult to get started again when your motivations change, but it simply serves as a reminder that your primary motivations must always be intrinsic. - - - Podcast ID 2 \u2022 Day 127: Welcome to The Journey! \u2022 My daily gratefulness 20171106 \u2022 YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 \u2022 Going to the gym for he first time in a week: A shift in motivation \u2022 \u270c\ud83c\udffe \u2022 Thank you for joining me...until next time!

I try not to post too much commentary on controversial and/or tragic current events anymore, but I\u2019ve got a LOT to say because the body of Christ has missed the mark yet again with this #TexasChurchMassacre. Just not today. Let me gather my thoughts together so I say it clearly and correctly.

We\u2019ve got to stay focused on this journey; it\u2019s the only way we\u2019re going to get through all life throws at us. Plus, learning how to lose the right way is the epitome of character.

Super brief today, sorry. I pray you\u2019re blessed by the gratefulness moment and devotional.

Be confident? Yes! But thinking TOO highly of ourselves blocks us from the self awareness we need for change. Plus, why can\u2019t we appreciate Cal Ripken\u2019s and Joe Thomas\u2019 streaks separately and equally?

The weapons of warfare may not be carnal, but its manifestations are. Plus, if Mark Zuckerberg has real presidential aspirations, he\u2019s missed out on a golden opportunity to show leadership in crisis.

Even before deliverance, God will sometimes remind you you\u2019re still God\u2019s child and God has not forgotten about you. Plus, I\u2019m prepping for a February church comm workshop. Is this finally THE moment?

People without relationship focus on condemnation avoidance. Those who truly love God know there\u2019s no condemnation. It always takes something catastrophic to remind your to be thankful for the basics.

Thank God God is with those who are brokenhearted because if not, I don\u2019t know where I\u2019d be today. Plus, the \u201cTrunk or Treat\u201d phenomenon is super recent and an example of how quickly things catch on.

Discipline never tastes good going down, but once it\u2019s down, it blesses you from the inside out and makes you better. Also, the concept of self awareness is ubiquitous, even in sports scheduling.

The fight of faith is the most difficult fight there is, but it\u2019s the greatest fight you can fight. Plus, Disney handles homosexuality is a super mature way. Controversial? Yes. Much needed? YES.

Don\u2019t be discouraged about people\u2019s inability to value you because of your age or because of any limitation people place on you. Plus, something GaryVee said today really resonated with me.

Position yourself for blessing by sitting under (and following) good teaching. Plus, fall is a difficult season for working sports fans, fraught with tough weeknight decisions. Sleep or stay up?

God\u2019s manifesting God\u2019s self in the person of Jesus is the greatest love ever shown. What\u2019s the greatest love you\u2019ve ever shown? Plus, I was late in buying emergency water but smart in finding it.

We fall short of God\u2019s glory daily. Don\u2019t ever think so highly of yourself that you forget that. Plus, I got a new car yesterday. Haven\u2019t processed it enough yet to find the value in it. Just sharing.

Jesus didn\u2019t have to do it, but he did, and I\u2019m grateful. Plus, I\u2019m disappointed that more of us Michigan fans aren\u2019t being honest about where our team is right now. Realization is step #1 to growth.

Gentleness, like God\u2019s word and God\u2019s peace, is underrated. Also, spend time with those who gas you up and focus only on your strengths\u2014concepts you don\u2019t hear too often but have much merit to them.

Rid yourself of anything that separates you from God, yes, but don\u2019t think you need to have it all together before you come back to God. That\u2019s a fallacy. Plus, your \u201cwhy\u201d can supersede your passion.

Sometimes, we have to be willing to reveal our war wounds to put the power of God on display. Plus, this Rick Pitino thing illustrates the importance of\u2014what we talk about all the time\u2014self awareness.

When we think about Whom we\u2019re doing everything in the name of, it ought to impact everything we do. Plus, Gordon Hayward\u2019s gruesome injury and what happens when your plans change in an instant.

We\u2019ve already talked about how God\u2019s peace is underrated; so, too, is God\u2019s word. Plus, if you seek affirmation, if you\u2019re starving for positivity, affirm yourself first.

In good times and in bad, God is still God and still worthy of our praise. Plus, I don\u2019t care about Michigan\u2019s AP ranking. It doesn\u2019t matter. Winners focus on the right things and adjust accordingly.