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’s 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’s not your circumstances, or other people, or that opportunity you just didn’t get, or God just not looking out for you, but it’s YOU. It’s a root cause, something deep within you that you haven’t 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’s Day is laughable. Sometimes, it’s better to just not say anything and pray in private. I promise you, you’re still saved.

I’m encouraged—by the feedback I’ve 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’m better able to encourage myself these days in spite of that.

Real-time reactions and reflections from my “Can You Hear Me Now?” social media ministry workshop at Ecumenical Theological Seminary over the past weekend. Getting back in the teaching saddle and doing something I haven’t been able to do for a long time was incredible, and I’m 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’m called to do at a high level. I’m just going to sit back, watch God move, and let this thing play out. I don’t know how it’s going to happen, but in the end, I will WIN. It’s just a matter of time.

It’s been so long...wanted to come back sooner with some new branding and some bonus episodes of content I’ve produced over the past couple months since I’ve been gone, but I haven’t had a chance to do it. But I couldn’t wait any longer until the time was right; I had to move forward now and put out a quick episode...especially considering that my social media ministry workshop starts TODAY and I’ll be talking about the great opportunity podcasting can provide pastors. Anyway, don’t wait for perfection; you’ll be waiting forever. Just get started! http://canyouhearmenow.xyz

In this special episode, I briefly explain why there’s both a spiritual and natural reason the Bible says “Pray without ceasing.” | Podcast ID 2 • Day 148: Welcome to The Journey! • Praying without ceasing: The importance of consistency • *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 • Day 145: Welcome to The Journey! • My daily gratefulness 20171125 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Romans 8:31 • I pray you find that ONE...so you can stay encouraged • *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Podcast ID 2 • Day 135: Welcome to The Journey! • My daily gratefulness 20171114 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Galatians 6:7-8 • [1/2] Marketing segment: The cell phone game has changed dramatically over time • [2/2] Marketing segment: The cell phone game has changed dramatically over time • ✌🏾 • *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—talk things out (so you won’t be bottled up) and write things down (so you won’t forget what’s important). Sounds basic enough, but the first things we always neglect are the basics. | Podcast ID 2 • Day 134: Welcome to The Journey! • [1/2] My daily gratefulness 20171113 • [2/2] My daily gratefulness 20171113 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 1 Peter 1:24-25 • The basics: Speak. Get stuff out of your head. Write. Record what comes to you. • ✌🏾 • *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

When you start the day’s 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’s late)...this is what it looks like. Podcast ID 2 • Day 133: Welcome to The Journey! • An all-in-one segment: Gratefulness, devotional, and commentary (b/c it’s late) • ✌🏾 (Whew...) • *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

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

If we remain focused on inward improvement, we will stay encouraged. It’s all a matter of perspective. | Podcast ID 2 • Day 131: Welcome to The Journey! • My daily gratefulness 20171110 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 2 Corinthians 4:16 • ✌🏾 • *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’s no more telling characteristic than the love we have for one another. | Podcast ID 2 • Day 130: Welcome to The Journey! • My daily gratefulness 20171109 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: John 13:34-35 • [1/2] Michigan Football: Focusing on the right things for improvement • [2/2] Michigan Football: Focusing on the right things for improvement • ✌🏾 • *Thank you for joining me...until next time!

How we treat people we don’t 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 • Day 129: Welcome to The Journey! • My daily gratefulness 20171108 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Colossians 4:5-6 • Andre Drummond's free throw shooting and what it means for us • More Drummond: Will a bad night derail you, or will you keep moving forward? • Thank you for joining me...until next time!

Don’t run your mouth, but also don’t 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’re living. Also, we have several takeaways from Snap, Inc’s woeful Q3 earnings call. | Day 128: Welcome to The Journey! • My daily gratefulness 20171107 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: Proverbs 13:3 • Future Hall of Famer Roy Halladay dead at age 40 😪 • Gotta give people their roses while they are yet alive • Stock of Snap, Inc. drops BIG time after Q3 earnings call • Self-awareness: Snap CEO promises design change • Thank you for joining me...until next time!

All scripture is inspired by God is and sufficient for teaching; it’s when we misread and misapply it that we get in trouble. Also, it’s 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 • Day 127: Welcome to The Journey! • My daily gratefulness 20171106 • YouVersion Bible verse of the day: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 • Going to the gym for he first time in a week: A shift in motivation • ✌🏾 • 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’ve 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’ve got to stay focused on this journey; it’s the only way we’re 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’re 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’t we appreciate Cal Ripken’s and Joe Thomas’ 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’s missed out on a golden opportunity to show leadership in crisis.

Even before deliverance, God will sometimes remind you you’re still God’s child and God has not forgotten about you. Plus, I’m 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’s 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’t know where I’d be today. Plus, the “Trunk or Treat” phenomenon is super recent and an example of how quickly things catch on.

Discipline never tastes good going down, but once it’s 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’s the greatest fight you can fight. Plus, Disney handles homosexuality is a super mature way. Controversial? Yes. Much needed? YES.

Don’t be discouraged about people’s 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’s manifesting God’s self in the person of Jesus is the greatest love ever shown. What’s the greatest love you’ve ever shown? Plus, I was late in buying emergency water but smart in finding it.

We fall short of God’s glory daily. Don’t ever think so highly of yourself that you forget that. Plus, I got a new car yesterday. Haven’t processed it enough yet to find the value in it. Just sharing.

Jesus didn’t have to do it, but he did, and I’m grateful. Plus, I’m disappointed that more of us Michigan fans aren’t being honest about where our team is right now. Realization is step #1 to growth.

Gentleness, like God’s word and God’s peace, is underrated. Also, spend time with those who gas you up and focus only on your strengths—concepts you don’t hear too often but have much merit to them.

Rid yourself of anything that separates you from God, yes, but don’t think you need to have it all together before you come back to God. That’s a fallacy. Plus, your “why” 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—what we talk about all the time—self awareness.

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

We’ve already talked about how God’s peace is underrated; so, too, is God’s word. Plus, if you seek affirmation, if you’re 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’t care about Michigan’s AP ranking. It doesn’t matter. Winners focus on the right things and adjust accordingly.