Personal Growth with Michael and Carolyn

At Loveworks, we believe that one of the ways that you can become one of the best versions of yourself is to focus on personal growth. We love curating things like books, music, organizations, blogs or resources that have encouraged your personal growth. 

Today, we’re going to highlight a book we’re reading right now!

3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager by Kara Powell & Brad M. Griffin

Every teenager is a walking bundle of questions. But at the core live these three:

– Who am I?
– Where do I fit?
– What difference can I make?

Young people struggle to find satisfying and life-giving answers to these questions on their own. They need caring adults willing to lean in with empathy, practice listening, and gently point them in the direction of better answers: that they are enough because of Jesus, they belong with God’s people, and they are invited into God’s greater story.

Based on new landmark research from the Fuller Youth Institute and in-depth interviews with data from 2,200 diverse teenagers, Kara Powell and Brad M. Griffin offer pastors, youth leaders, mentors, and parents practical and proven conversations and connections that help teenagers answer their three biggest questions and reach their full potential.

Uncommon Leadership by Ben Newman

In Uncommon Leadership, performance coach and motivational consultant Ben Newman takes you inside the minds and hearts of eleven exceptional individuals: athletes, coaches, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and others whose unrelentingly high performance has made them not only the best in their fields but also unquestioned leaders in sports, business, and life. Ben breaks it down, honing in on the core qualities that drive these trailblazers to push for the best in themselves and others, every single day.

Dr. Calvin Battle: Founder and Senior Pastor of the Destiny Center

Dr. Calvin Battle is the founder and Senior Pastor of the “Destiny Center”, a thriving church located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pastor Calvin is also the author of the best selling “How to receive from God: the good life simple”. Selected as one of the 40 most influential leaders under 40 in Tulsa, Oklahoma by the Tulsa Business Journal Calvin has consulted some of the largest corporations and churches known. Mr. Battle advises politicians on a variety of levels of government and serves on several boards possessing a gambit of education, knowledge and experience, in Computer Engineering, Marketing, Theology, Graphic Design and much more. A proud alumni of Harvard University, From the University of Alabama to World Harvest Bible College to Oral Roberts University, a permanent student always looking to learn. Loving to laugh and making others smile, determined to see hurts, bondages, fears removed all to be exchanged for the joy that only a Savior King can provide. Born in Huntsville, Al and currently residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife English Battle and his daughters Amariah and Hannah Pastor Battle is well traveled having preached in well over 47 nations.

calvin’s Advice – Don’t Die a copy

You are an original so don’t die a copy. Make your own path; don’t look for a path that’s already been made for you. Create your own. The passion is the permission for you to find the purpose that is worthy of your life. There are people in your life that will hurt you, that will help you, that will bless you. All of them create a great recipe. No one eats a bowl of flour or a stick of butter. No one loves eating only eggs but when you mix it with a little milk or vanilla extract and sugar it becomes something. Submit it a process in time it becomes cake. Anything that is worthy becomes greater through a process. Just like coal or carbon it requires time, pressure, darkness, and heat. Something that seems insignificant and invaluable becomes something that is precious. Become the diamond you are called to be.

You can find Calvin on Instagram and online at www.calvinbattle.com and www.mydestinycenter.com

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is influence (but influence is not leadership)
• Be receptive to opportunities
• Live into unique talents and situations