Cultivate NJ

Beloved, Jesus Christ will come again to judge the living and the dead, and that will be the best thing that ever happens to us. When God renews the whole cosmos and makes everything sad become untrue, Jesus himself will be personally present as the center and the focus of new creation. He comes to save, not to destroy. And He saves us by His judgment, because His judgment is love.

Death does not defeat God's promise. Death is not separation from God. In Jesus, God has dwelt among the dead. God has touched the very limits of our nature, from birth to death, in order to renew us and to unite us to God. The Living has embraced the dead. Death has been subsumed by life. Now, church, we are ambassadors of that life in every realm of death, bearing light that drives out all d...

Today we arrive at maybe the most challenging statement for our modern, scientific minds to receive as true… I believe in Jesus Christ… WHO… suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.  The good news we declare today is:  In the person of Jesus, God suffered AS one of us WITH all of us because suffering is how God disarms the powers and authorities that stand opposed to our...

The one born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring life and order from death and chaos. So, fear not: God has not abandoned you. The One who was born to impossible odds has drawn near to make us children of the promise. Take heart and receive Mary’s good news. No word from God will fail.

The good news this morning is that the CORE of our faith is Jesus Christ. He was there at the beginning of time working for us. In love, He chose to be born among us and to die for us, and He is working for us now and until the end of time. Our faith and our lives are rightly centered on Jesus, our foundation, our hope, and our Lord and King. 

Today we arrive at the last piece of the first statement of the Apostles' Creed: “I believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth." The good news that we declare today: We live in a world made by the loving hands of God, redeemed with the loving presence of God, that will one day be renewed by the loving Spirit of God. Friends, this world is good and our God is fully committed to it...

We are invited to confess and know God as Father… But this is not the coercion of an abusive or authoritative patriarch. This is the loving call of an attentive parent whose power is made perfect in weakness. So, draw close to this Father today and allow him to heal you of every wound.

We are invited to give our whole hearts to the story of God’s unfolding, unfailing love for the world.  Beloved, today you belong to and participate in the global, historic body of Jesus Christ, even if you’re not sure what that means. Because belief is about trust, not certainty, God meets us in the mystery of our faith. So, bring your uncertainty and your questions. You are safe and you are love...

Many things start with a question.  One of my teachers used to say “Questions are alive; answers are dead.”  Sometimes a small question of curiosity ultimately leads to a scientific breakthrough.  Sometimes a big sweeping question about the meaning of the universe could ready us for an encounter with the Creator.  A mentor’s single question may enable a student to escape the rut of well-explored t...

Jesus’ death is not a cosmic disappointment. Through his faithfulness to enter into suffering and death, Jesus gets to the root of evil, defeating the powers and principalities that seem to rule our world. So, church, as we wait for resurrection, let Jesus meet you in the in-between space, turning death to life and hope.

The way of Jesus is expansive and inclusive, granting acceptance and access to those who are rejected and excluded. Church, the world needs the good news of Jesus today, that he came to heal and save, not to attack and police and punish. How do you need that good news today? And how can we embody this good news today?

The good shepherd looks after His sheep. Let's journey with a servant heart. Let's commit to following Him.

The good news of Jesus is that we either inherit the kingdom of God together or not at all.

Hurt people hurt people BUT: Blessed people bless people. Healed people heal people. Secure people bring security to people. Whole people bring wholeness to people. Healing trauma in the kingdom of God can undo and reversethe trauma that’s been stored in bodies. That’s what the kingdom of God is for: to tell a new storyof safety and attachment that enables people to become healers themselves. This...

In this time of turmoil and uncertainty, Jesus is present with us, freeing us from the fear that would drive us to police the borders of belonging in our community. He is empowering us to join in the prophetic work of liberation, telling the truth about ourselves, our community, and our world. Jesus says to John and to us, “ Don't be afraid, the goodness that you have has been a gift of my mer...

The realm of God is here. Instead of new revelation, Jesus reveals what's always been true. God is committed to love and justice for all of creation no matter what it costs him. Take heart, beloved. Do not be afraid. The same Jesus who’s with you on the mountaintop is with you in the valley. His glory rests on you today, anointing you to live out the law of love in reality. Go and love your ne...

Jesus reveals that the road to resurrection is marked by suffering, rejection and death. You don't have to deny or avoid the pain that you feel, or the suffering that you see all around you. Today, we're invited to follow Christ into suffering, loss, and even into death… not to be buried, but to bear witness to the ongoing redemption, reconciliation and resurrection of all things. Taste an...

Jesus is a good shepherd who doesn't scapegoat those who are different, but he includes those who are vulnerable and in need of reconciliation. Eph 2:14 says that He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and destroyed the barrier and dividing wall of hostility. Jesus is a good shepherd. He tends the vulnerable, he doesn't use them. And he deals in truth, bringing justice to...

The healing justice of God is flowing here and now straight into our desperate needs and overwhelming problems. It’s a raging torrent of love that can’t help itself but respond to our cries for mercy. This is the God Jesus reveals. This is the God that is present and working among us. This is the God who is coming to save us. To the poor, afflicted, desperate among us, we declare: God SEES you… Go...

In the face of overwhelming need and not nearly enough, Jesus receives our meager offerings with gratitude and transforms them into abundant provision for all. So, let go of despair. Let go of apathy today. And instead, open your hands and offer whatever you have, however small for the sake of others. Bring what you have, even though we know it's not enough, because Jesus receives our offerings wi...

The good news is that opposition to the reign of God takes a toll and has lasting consequences, but it never has the last word. Jesus and his reign of love and mercy cannot be hindered. So beloved, have hope today and take your place among the resistance, telling truth to power and joining or seeking subversive acts of justice. This is who you are in Christ.

Jesus is revealed as King who confronts the forces of violence and death. Not a warrior king who overcomes his enemies with violence… But a crucified king who becomes the enemy and takes on our violence. What sort of king do we want today, friends? What vision of peace fills our imagination? A king who brings peace through violence and force? Or one who makes peace by laying down his life? Jesus c...

In this story, Jesus sees and negotiates power. He leverages his own power. And Jesus redefines power. The marginalizedwoman becomes the faith leader to the society’s faith leader. Jesus has redefined power on her behalf. The power of God in Jesus crosses boundaries in order to bring life to those languishing in death. The holiness of Christ heals the suffering. The love of Christ honors the shame...

On Mark 5: 1-20: Jesus disarms our deepest fears and disrupts the deals that we've made to keep our fear at bay. Jesus protects and provides, so fear has no dominion here. There is deliverance and healing available to us; protection and provision in the lordship of Jesus. There’s a cosmic battle happening in this story. But there’s also a personal transformation.  This is what Jesus does: He disar...

First of all: If you feel like you're in the midst of a storm, if you're on mission with Jesus and everything is going wrong. As you think about this storm and you think of something in your life, and Jesus seems to be ASLEEP… We encourage you: Go ahead and wake him up. And if you have some choice words for him about how he doesn't care whether you live or die, go ahead and speak to hi...