The last two weeks have been anything but calm in the world of faith and religion. Conservative Christians are wondering whether they are being betrayed by both officials in the White House and in the court system. The ruling of a Wisconsin judge that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and violates the concept of the separation of church and state has been like a blow to the solar plexus for battle weary Christians. In the much touted culture wars, there has never been such an open case of liberals throwing down the gauntlet in a specific area that has been deemed "Christian territory."

In recent weeks, several leading Republicans have been crying for the ouster of party Chairman Michael Steele. If Steele is fired or resigns before he completes a critical stabilization plan for the party, it may spell doom for the Republican National Committee (RNC) in 2010 and beyond. Let me say it simply: Steele must be kept in place until there is a clear vision and mandate that is created for the party's future.

His situation is very reminiscent of what happened to world-class CEO and businesswoman Carly Fiorina in 2005. During the time in which the technology powerhouse Hewlett-Packard felt that they needed to change their image and revitalize their brand, they sought to circumvent the normal painstaking process of self-analysis, restructuring and rebuilding by bringing in a management superstar - Fiorina. Her academics were impeccable, framed at Stanford University, University of Maryland and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But all of this was inconsequential because the board of directors had made an improper assessment of where the business was. Their vision was murky. Their mandate was muddled. Therefore the corporate message was unclear. Thus in a few short years, they fired the woman who once graced the covers of major national periodicals in their name.

A few weeks ago, Colbert King of The Washington Post wrote an incendiary op-ed about the Tea Party movement. Titled "In the Faces of Tea Party Shouters, Images of Hate and History," the piece was incredibly skewed. The article’s condescending tone called the protesters “racists.”

King equated the people that rallied in D.C. (just before the health care vote) with the folks who wanted to block the first black student from entering the University of Alabama in 1956. Further, he suggested that those who blocked nine black kids from entering a Little Rock, Ark., high school in 1959 resembled Tea Party members. Most shockingly, he compared the faces he witnessed nearly 20 years ago at a David Duke rally in Metairie, L.A. with the party faithful.  He went on to describe the folks at the Duke rally as “sullen with resentment, wallowing in victim-hood, then exploding with yells of excitement as the ex-Klansman and Republican gubernatorial candidate spewed vitriolic white-power rhetoric.”

No one arrives at his destiny alone. Other people along the way have contributed to your journey. Some of the people who helped in your journey may have been a teacher, parent, grandparent, neighbor or maybe a friend.

Walt Disney was a man who was sensitive to the role others played in his life's accomplishments. Disney's creativity and ingenuity helped him become the recipient of 48 Academy Awards and 7 Emmys. He is a legend in the film industry. Disney was quick to acknowledge the part others contributed in his success. He is quoted as saying:

"It seems to me shallow and arrogant for any man in these times to claim he is completely self-made, that he owes all his success to his own unaided efforts. Many hands and hearts and minds generally contribute to anyone's notable achievements."

Who has made a positive contribution in your life? Who has inspired you to reach for higher goals and accomplishments? Don't forget the part that they played in your success. Let them know you are grateful for their contribution in your life. After all, you didn't reach your current level of success alone. Other people helped you arrive where you are in your journey to destiny.

Align yourself with people of great character. Too often there are people who attempt to climb the ladder of success through dishonesty, corruption or deceit. The world is looking for a person who gains favor through honest transparency.

George Washington was a man known for his honest and upright character. Washington was a successful military general who later became the first President of the United States. His advice is still relevant for today. He once said, "Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

Find people who possess a good quality of character. Associate with them. Your reputation will then be filled with favor. Watch your good reputation open effectual doors for your future!