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A few years ago, my church hosted a seminar for pastors. The seminar was titled "Loving the Neighbor Who Doesn't Look Like You". The seminar was a huge success and took place once a week for several weeks. Our goal was to bring pastors from different cultures together. We were able to do that, as evidenced by witnessing the registration of African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian pastors across the board. These pastors were eager to participate in this crucial discussion. We learned many things about each other, things that we would have never known if it weren't for the seminar. To this day, I can still say that I have pastors in my life who do not look or talk like me, but remain my friends.  I am genuinely looking forward to hosting that seminar again and again. The United States of America could really use a nationwide seminar titled "Loving the Neighbor Who Doesn't Look Like You". The hate, discourse, and lack of civility in our country personally sickens me. The best way to help move such a dark cloud is for people to come together in a spirit of friendship and love, taking healthy and appropriate actions. 

The Governor of Utah (Governor Cox) recently stated that this is America's opportunity for reconciliation. I hope and pray that he's right. I also hope and pray that citizens of this beautiful country come together rather than be further driven apart. I am reminded of quotes from two very different people. Those quotes ring true today and are something I hope every citizen will consider: 

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."

J.K. Rowling 

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

In this day and time, I ask myself, which will it be? Will our country continue to choose division over unification? Will we one day perish like fools? One of my favorite scriptures is John 15:15, where Jesus says to his disciples, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends." Can we at least be friends?  

As you prepare for what God has in store for you today, carry this Discipleship Devotional in your spirit, heart, and mind. Please make a genuine effort to be courteous and friendly to each other. Remember the words of Germany Kent, who said, "There seems to be a trend that I have noticed. It seems the more peace and love I wish on others, the more peace and love come to me." 

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