Danny

Most books on innovation make it sound as if successful innovation is the end result of a carefully followed recipe. But the simple fact is that when it comes to any new venture, failure is the surest horse to bet on. Respected pastor and author Larry Osborne explains how understanding this dirty little secret behind innovation can bring both stability and creativity to organizations, especially those with teams of people that focus on innovation, creativity, new ideas, and problem solving.

"How's your soul?" Instead of a perfunctory "how are you?", Judah Smith asks people this surprising question, because he knows that the health of the soul - the deepest part of ourselves - is overlooked in the busyness of everyday life. But the truth is, all the things people most desire in life - stability, peace, hope, love - are rooted in the health of their souls, and they need an intentional daily journey to manage it well.

We each have a destiny. Finding the courage to drive past the challenges, the pains, and even the shortcuts of life to the deeper purpose of living is to thrive in one's divine destiny. Most people have sensed destiny pulling them to just the right place or person. Whether it is the spouse you meet, the children you bear, or the promotion you receive, everyone has a purpose to pursue. Sometimes it is understanding our destiny that helps us accept what on the surface appears to be failure.

Matthew Barnett, son of a well-known megachurch pastor, discovered his great cause when he relinquished his dream of building a big, successful church like his father’s and began listening for God’s dream for his life. Sensing that God was calling him to serve the poor and powerless of Los Angeles, Matthew founded the Dream Center, a beacon of hope for homeless families, drug addicts, abused women and children, victims of human trafficking, teen runaways, gang members, and many others whose lives were filled with brokenness.

Ken Blanchard, Rick Warren, and Bill Hybels. Can you think of three people whose name you would rather have on the cover of an audiobook? We can't.