Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – June 2024, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

In the face of the greater evils today, there is a need for more extraordinary courage. Whether antisemitism, abortion, or vulnerable and impressionable school children led down paths of confusion and chaos about their identity, we need the courage to speak the truth in love. Why did 32 million Christians not vote in the last election? Silence means consent! "To him who knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin," James 4:17 states.

Get informed, stand up, and show up! Be strong and courageous! There are many depending on it!

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – May 2024, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Read the biography of one of America’s greatest inventors, Thomas Edison, and you will realize the profound impact a mother can make. A poor student, Edison’s mother decided to homeschool him, and he attributed much of his success to her sacrifice and training. “My mother was the making of me. She was so true, so sure of me, and I felt I had someone to live for, someone I must not disappoint,” Edison shared.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – April 2024, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Light of the world. That is what Jesus called Himself along with the promise that if you follow him, you won’t walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

Oddly, Jesus stated this following a tense moment with a woman caught in the act of adultery. As she was thrown before Him, the religious leaders posed this question: What should we do to her since Moses prescribed stoning?

Jesus knelt and wrote on the ground as they pressed him for an answer, and finally, He said: He who is without sin among you cast the first stone – and then He wrote on the ground some more.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – March 2024, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

After a year of notable deaths, there is one common theme throughout human history: people are born, and people die.

However, for Bible believers who learn Jesus paid the penalty for their sin (death), there is a guarantee of eternal life. Yet, many misunderstand faith to mean ‘something you accept with no evidence.' On the contrary, the fourfold witness of the gospels provides solid evidence! The Bible presupposes you will use your mind and examine the evidence that Jesus died and rose from the grave making Him the "firstfruits" of all that believe in Him for their resurrection.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – February 2024, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Recently, a 30-year-plus member of our church passed into eternity. She impacted so many and was a model of a godly woman, wife, mother, and friend. Her husband, family, and our church community will miss her sorely. But her passing made me think about some of her qualities that are so needful today! Her selflessness overflowed with joy, serving, and uplifting all around her! What a contrast to an increasingly narcissistic and godless culture dominated by broken marriages, families, and communities plagued with frustration, loneliness, and depression.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – January 2024, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Instead of denying ourselves, we exalt ourselves. Scripture predicted this would happen one day just before the end (2 Timothy 3) – that self-love would be the norm and the Word of God would be replaced with clever psychological and social theories.

Instead of listening to me or anyone else debate whether the Bible has merit, why not pick up the Bible for yourself? Seeking God should not be passive but active! He has been speaking, but are you listening?

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – December 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Against the backdrop of Roman tyranny, the birth of Christ in Bethlehem was a humble event that went largely unnoticed. However, those intimate with Scripture embraced an expectant hope for the Messiah, foretold by the prophets. Amidst the anticipation, few could have predicted the Messiah's origins in Nazareth or His destiny to suffer and die – a truth revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus of Nazareth.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – November 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Israel stands as a testament to divine providence in a world filled with unsettling geo-political challenges. True to 2500-year-old biblical prophecies, the modern state of Israel was born on May 14, 1948, against a backdrop of global intrigue and mounting tensions.

In these turbulent times, it becomes paramount to recognize the spiritual dimension underpinning Israel’s journey. Please pray and act in ways to first bring peace with God through the gospel and also peace with each other.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – October 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

I recently sat down with a public-school teacher who expressed her dismay at the policy proposed by the Board of Education, which keeps parents from knowing about the gender identity and pronoun preferences of their children.

The given answer as to why this policy is so important is that it may protect children from family abuse or even suicide. Yes, many American families are broken, and this brokenness has a devastating effect on children. But to exacerbate the problems by removing parents from the knowledge of their child's struggle with gender confusion only allows activists full power to indoctrinate and groom them. We already hear of many children regretting their gender transition. One asked, "Where were the adults in the room when I made an irreparable decision to mutilate my body in my confusion?"

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – September 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

In the biblical account of the foreign woman seeking healing from Jesus for her demon-possessed daughter (found in Matthew 15:21-28), we uncover a profound lesson about perseverance and trust. Despite being an outsider to God's chosen people, she displayed a level of faith that resonates across time and culture. Her journey offers a compelling reminder that pressing through, even when put off by followers of Jesus, is essential to experiencing the transformational power of Christ.

At first glance, the disciples' response to her cries might mirror our initial reactions. In today's world, where 'safe spaces' are preferred and sensitive egos abound, there's a tendency to distance ourselves from the messy, complex struggles of others.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – August 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

Next month, as many children go back to school, many will experience a world of confusion from the religious and radical ideologies of diversity, inclusion, and equity (DIE), wokeism, and Critical Theory, that have taken over public education – a realization many parents are now waking up to! Many school boards now seem to represent they are under some obligation to the NJ Department of Education. Still, there is no force of law—only “guidelines” given by the unelected bureaucrats of it.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – July 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

There is such turmoil today that it is much easier to ignore the significant problems we face. Weary of bad news, we resort to various amusements to forget our troubles. But will we end up parroting the narrative to please evil elitists who have rejected God, the Bible, and defiled marriage and family? Get back to the Bible! Know the truth! The truth will set you free!

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – July 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

I grew up without a father and it is hard to estimate the level of frustration and insecurity I battled in my childhood. I got into many fights and didn’t have a good handle on proper boundaries, which fathers typically provide.

My grandmother secured a “Big Brother of America” for me – a wise man who did not try to be my friend but became a father figure. He did not plan our time together for me to be entertained, but being a part of the greatest generation, he brought me into his world. This taught me how to be a man – something greatly missing in today’s family.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – May 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

The origin of family names and mottos is a fascinating study. Mine came from England with a motto in Latin, “Nulla pallescere culpa,” meaning “no reason to blush.” Despite the moniker of good character and courage attached to my name, my youthful rebellion led me to do many bad things. But when I was caught, I would turn beet-red, leading to the nickname “Pink Lloyd.” Determined to stave off this humiliation, I purposely practiced becoming shameless. I could string enough curse words together to shock a gang member! But the weight of my guilt eventually got to me, and in my first year of college, I surrendered to God and began to experience a new kind of freedom – the ability to do the right thing and enjoy it most!

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – April 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

The impact of social media on social skills and communication is a huge concern – we must learn the art of conversation beyond a social media platform! Studies suggest that young people who spend excessive amounts of time on social media may struggle with face-to-face interactions, have difficulty forming meaningful relationships, lessen academic performance, and increase feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem. The soul longs for authentic connection, but online finds only the counterfeit version, leaving its user at a loss, disconnected, and empty.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – March 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

The Jesus Revolution movie recently received an unprecedented amount of national attention with a record-breaking opening weekend – is something strange afoot in our nation?

I was in Southern California in the late 70s as the impact of the Jesus Movement was still strongly felt. This period followed arguably the most challenging time in our history in the late 60’s. Droves of hopeless hippies filled the churches and their impacted children became the yuppies (young urban professionals) of the 90’s. “Liquid love” was used to describe what it felt like entering into Spirit-filled churches, and a great hunger for God’s presence, love, and power prevailed in those that opened the Bible, proclaiming and explaining the timeless Word of God. It was practical and full of meaning and purpose!

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – February 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

The Bible opens with one simple yet incredibly profound statement! Unlike many ancient documents fraught with confusing and conflicting mytho-pagan ideas, the Bible opens simply and elegantly: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). It holds well in line with contemporary modern science, which also concludes origins having to do with time, space, and matter – not the fire, water, wind mythology. The Bible, however, identifies God as the Creator and Conductor of this symphony of existence and life!

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – January 2023, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

There is a reason the first institution God established was marriage – see Genesis 2! Study after study shows the impact of marriage on society and how the well-being of our children and children’s children comes back to the stability of family. As the family goes, so goes the stability of a nation.

Why then do we observe such little effort into building up families and instead focus on the selfish pursuit of personal happiness, which leads away from family commitment which would impact us more deeply in the end?

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – December 2022, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

This upcoming year of 2023 marks the twentieth year since The Bridge Christian Radio began airing in the NY/NJ area, running a campaign with the slogan, “God speaks. Are you listening?”

Hebrews 1:1-2a says, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son….”

God has spoken throughout history, but the final Word came in the birth of a Child, the only begotten Son of God, Jesus, the Savior of the world. Many came before Him and many have come after Him, both politically and religiously, claiming to be the answer to the world’s problems. But Jesus came to rescue those who believe in Him. Since the first century, when wise men laid their treasures at His feet and angels sang on high, God has been speaking to humanity by His Son, Jesus Christ.

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – November 2022, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

In Tuscany sits “The Leaning Tower of Pisa,” a grand bell tower with a nearly four-degree lean. Unable to support its foundation, the soft ground underneath gives this famous tower its tilt—because something is only as stable as the foundation upon which it is built!

The most important foundation to be concerned about in life relates to the matter of origins: Do we have a Creator, or did we evolve from something which ultimately would have to come from nothing? (Being seeded by aliens only pushes evolution further back). If our lives are the result of an explosion somewhere in space, we have no purpose – but if we are created, then we have meaning.