Bridging
The Gap

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – July, 2026, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, it is worth remembering that freedom did not emerge in a vacuum. Many early settlers came seeking religious liberty—the freedom to worship according to conscience. Our founding documents reflect the conviction that our rights are not merely granted by government, but endowed by our Creator.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – June, 2026, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Many people think faith is just believing certain things about God, going to church occasionally, or trying to be a good person, but the Bible presents faith as something much deeper and more practical. In James 2:18, we read: “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” In other words, real faith can be seen. It changes how we live!

We live in a word full of empty words and promises made and broken. People say they care, and yet they often fail to act—that is why genuine faith stands out! This kind of faith moves beyond talk and is visible in everyday life. Faith is shown in kindness when no one is watching. It is seen in honesty when it would be easier to lie. There is evidence of it in forgiveness when bitterness feels justified. Genuine faith reveals itself through compassion for the lost and hurting.

Christian faith is not about earning God’s approval by doing enough good deeds. It begins with trusting in Jesus—that He came to rescue us, forgive us, and give us new life. When someone truly trusts Him, that person is born again, a new creation, and something which has changed inside naturally begins to show up outwardly in our actions.

You may not consider yourself religious, but you likely know there must be more to life than appearances and empty words. Jesus offers something real—a relationship with Him, the God Who transforms the heart!

Faith in action begins with just one step—turning to Him honestly. Come as you are! Ask Him to reveal Himself to you and when He does, your life will never be the same!

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – May, 2026, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

In a time of constant noise—breaking news, competing opinions, and growing uncertainty—it’s not always easy to know what is true or where to find peace.

The Bible offers a steady answer: when everything around us feels unsettled, God remains unchanging. He is not distant from the confusion of our world—He invites us to call out to Him in the middle of it.

Each year, the National Day of Prayer, observed on the first Thursday in May, reminds us of something simple but powerful: we are not alone. Across the country, people pause to seek God together. Yet prayer is not limited to one day—it is an open invitation at any moment.

You don’t need perfect words or a religious background to begin. Sometimes the most honest prayer is the simplest: “God, if You are there, I need You.” That kind of sincerity matters. It opens the door to consider a real relationship with the One who sees, hears, and responds.

History reminds us of this as well. During the early days of our nation, voices like George Whitefield stirred hearts spiritually, while even Benjamin Franklin—hardly known for religious fervor—recognized the need for prayer. At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he urged leaders to seek God’s guidance, acknowledging that human wisdom alone was not enough.

As Jonathan Edwards once observed, when God is about to do something great, He often begins by stirring His people to pray.

When the world feels unsteady, prayer is not a last resort—it is a place to begin. Even today, you can pause, turn your heart toward God, and simply call out. He is listening.