When God planted the garden of Eden, His cultivating work had only just begun. The Master Gardener's greatest project is still underway - growing the fruit of the Spirit in us. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God's aim is not just for us to believe the right things or perform good deeds, but His will is for us to be spiritually transformed into who we were always meant to be. In Cultivate: Life Together in the Spirit, Dr. Richard Kannwischer, pastor of Peachtree Church in Atlanta, one of the largest Presbyterian congregations in the country, invites readers into that journey of transformation. Written out of his own season of heartbreak and renewal, he discovered a hopeful truth: that real change is possible, even in the harshest seasons. That conviction pulses through every page. Using Jesus's imagery of seeds and soil, Cultivate shows us how the Holy Spirit patiently tends the hidden ground of our hearts. Each chapter explores a differnt aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, not as a checklist to master, but as the natural outgrowth of a life rooted in God. Throughout the book, you will find practice and application through prayers, journaling prompts, and spiritual exercises, which will help clear away distractions and make room for God's renewing work. Whether read alone or with a group, Cultivate offers hope, encouragement, and a clear path forward toward lasting change, deeper faith, and a life that flourishes even in difficult seasons.
