I’m fascinated by what Glenn Beck has been doing these last few years.  From leaving CNN to join Fox News Channel, to then leave Fox and begin his own media company at GBTV.com,  it’s either one of the most incredibly brilliant decisions of a genius, or the tragic end to a once great political commentator and entertainer.

But what captures my attention is Glenn’s passion for God demonstrated throughout his radio, television, and subsequent programing throughout the GBTV lineup.  I will not hide my reservations to his particular brand of Christianity (Mormonism), but you cannot argue his love for Jesus and his love for this country.

So when Glenn Beck begins a year long challenge to his viewers and fans, I take great interest.  If Glenn is willing to commit an entire year of his life to a project, I believe that I should vet the merits of his idea.  I’ve said it before to friends, but if this country survives this economic tailspin, much of the reason will be due to Glenn Beck’s tireless efforts to wake Americans up!

What is this challenge Glenn puts forth:  Can we become more like George Washington?

So what does this look like?  Many answers can be found here.  But in simple terms is a yearlong challenge to add virtues and values into our lives via 13 30/31 day focus periods on character traits of George Washington.  Traits like diligence, virtue, honesty, Godliness are included in the upcoming year, but what turned my attraction into desire was Glenn connecting this challenge with 2 Peter 1: 3-8,

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For this reason I am accepting the Being Like George Washington Challenge.  I wish to not just be like our nations greatest president, but to be more like our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Join me…we can hold each other accountable and encourage each other.  At the beginning of next year, will be better or the same?  I choose to be better!

*Disclaimer – This article is not meant to begin, or even continue, a discussion of gun control (pro or anti).  It is purely meant to share a unique experience and some insights that were gained during this moment in time.  I am a proponent of weapons for sports and personal protection.

I have never owned a gun, handgun, shotgun, or rifle.  Not because of any personal resistance, I just never ever got around to taking the Carry and Conceal (aka Gun) license class.  So, at the first part of this year, Sid and I BOTH got our licenses and commenced to shopping for the proper handgun for our personal and home protection.

So, one Saturday, my lovely wife and I head down to the local Gun Show where I learned a few valuable pieces of information about myself, others, and our society.

1 – You are Surrounded by Weapons and No One is Nervous.

Unless you grew up in the gun culture, when you think of Gun Shows you get the stereotypical “redneck with a gun” picture in your mind.   And to be completely accurate, there were a few of those ambling around…but they were the exception to the rule!  Almost every person in attendance was either carrying a gun, wearing a gun, or wearing a knife…even the children were packing…  But no one seemed to be nervous and it felt perfectly safe.

2 – People Who are Gun Enthusiasts are Normal.

Continuing to deconstruct the stereotype, much like myself and my lovely wife, our main concern for purchasing a weapon is for personal and home defense.  There were also a lot of collectors there as well.  So, overall it was a very “normal” group of people.  Now, don’t misunderstand me, there were a few extremists as well, but they were truly the exception, not the rule.

3 – Gun Shows are a Fascinating Dichotomy.

When you go to a gun show and take a personal weapon into a gun show, you much make sure that they are unloaded and physically secured via gun locks or zip ties.  In other words, the gun show makes sure that no loaded weapon enters the show.  They also make sure that there are no half used boxes of ammo brought in as well.  The funny thing is that you can walk into a gun show, buy a gun, AND buy a full bag (or box) of ammunition.  The show goes to great length to secure a venue where you can buy weapons AND ammunition.  Crazy!

4 – Children at Guns Shows are Some of the Most Respectable Kids I’ve Ever Met.

As you may (or may not) know, I am a huge Disney World fan.  I have been to the parks so many times, it’s not even funny.  And I have seen so many iterations of screaming, ungrateful, rude, crude, loud, grumpy, and disrespectful children that it’s tragic.  But one thing that was amazing to Sarah and myself, was how respectful and POLITE all the children I met at the gun show.  It was crazy!  I’m not saying that there is or is not a correlation to gun owners and respectful children…but there MAY be.

We did not purchase a gun THAT Saturday, but we did a few weeks later.  I learned a lot that Saturday.  And hopefully, you did as well.

To say that Steve Jobs was a complicated man would be a HUGE understatement of fact.  Steve Jobs was without any doubt a genius, visionary, and marketing master.  It is also a true statement to say that there is not an aspect of our lives that is not touched by Jobs or one of Jobs’ creations.  And that goes far beyond Apple and iPods, iPads, and iPhones…  The personal computer (Apples AND PCs) were both shaped and refined by the amazing creativity of Steve Jobs.  The entertainment industry was dramatically affected by Jobs and PIXAR.  And the world was forever changed by one man…Steve Jobs.

Walter Isaacson’s writing style is engaging and compelling.  I listened to Steve Jobs on audio book and it was difficult to “put the book down.”  I will be honest, the Biblical size of the book itself was a little overwhelming, but on the other hand, the audio books was 24+ hours long…  It’s an exhaustive narrative of Job’s life, loves, creations, and vision!

Looking through the prism of leadership, Steve Jobs is NOT the model for any business leader or corporate boss.  His moods would swing from rapt infatuation to furious anger, and at times he would cry and throw a temper tantrums much like a petulant small child.   Jobs would rally his corporate troops to push themselves to create WORLD CHANGING devices and tools and then back stab a past business partner out of sheer spite.

Steve Jobs was never truly loyal to family or friends, including his own children, but even in his last days, he was excited about the newest Apple device about to come out.  In many ways Jobs was a very unlikeable man, but in spite of his blustery personality, he was driven by art, design, and simplicity.

My favorite parts of the book was the PIXAR era, and I think that Jobs was most creative and, dare I say, happiest, when he was working with John Lasseter and the PIXAR team.  But even as Steve was helping to create movies like Toy Story and A Bugs Life, Jobs was also fighting with Disney and helping to oust Michael Eisner and usher in a new era for Disney Animation.

Steve Jobs was a creative genius and visionary.  And I think that he achieved his goal to change the world.  But to hear his story, I was struck by a sadness knowing that  he was driven by his abandonment as a child and his lack of moral center.  He spent his entire life trying to find enlightenment and wisdom, but at the end of his life, he was just like any other man.  And to hear about all of the amazing coincidences that happened for Jobs to make the connections to create amazing companies like Apple and PIXAR which brought about world changing devices and entertainment.

I did not know Steve Jobs, but I am sure that I would have been in awe of him, but I am equally sure that he would have been uninspired by me.  But that was the dichotomy of Steve Jobs.  People, ideas, or devices were either great or they were crap.  His vision, his genius, his creativity is worthy of study and emulation, but as a man, Steve Jobs is not a hero.  I feel sorry for him.  But I am thankful for his life and his creations.  We are a better world for his life.

We should never forget the sacrifice of those who protect our nation. To all military, police, and fire personnel, we cannot thank you enough for your service. You honor us with all that you do. We must never forget…