Shared Roots, Fresh Fruit: Your Shalom Bridge Update

Dr. Eugene
3 days ago
8 min read

Welcome to the Shalom Bridge Family!

Shalom and welcome to Shalom Bridge, a community where Jews and Gentiles come together to rediscover our shared roots in G‑D’s promises to Israel and to live out the transforming life we have in Messiah together

This summer, help grow Shalom Bridge. For just 5 dollars a week—less than a cup of coffee—or 25 dollars a month, you can help us build understanding, offer teaching, and deepen connection between Jews, Gentiles, and all who need to hear the good news of Yeshua. Every gift, large or small, strengthens the bridge we are building together. If you are already giving, thank you—your faithful partnership means more to us than words can say.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/partner-with-shalom-bridge-making-disciples-of-yeshua

News

Shiloh Campus Update: We’ve had a week full of surprises on the farm—most of them with feathers.

It turns out I accidentally gave our quail more credit than they deserved. I reported that we had 50 quail, but that number was actually our total bird population, including 13 chickens and 4 Guinea fowl. So we were really at 33 quail. This week, after a few losses but also some delightful new arrivals, we are now blessed with 13 chickens, 4 Guinea fowl, and 48 quail. That means several newborn chicks have joined the flock, and our little egg machines are ramping up; we’re gathering about 7 quail eggs a day. Please pray that as production increases, the ABBA-FATHER will bring steady demand for the eggs to help support our ongoing ministry projects.

On the larger landscape around us, we’re thankful that the wildfire growth near us has slowed somewhat with recent rain. At the same time, the Anthony Lakes fire continues to expand and was last reported at 1,916 acres. Much of the fire has moved north, prompting evacuation orders in Baker and Union Counties, and we are less than two miles south of the main area of concern. We are praying earnestly that the fire will be contained quickly and that no homes, structures, or lives will be lost.

On the practical side, our spring-fed water line is still in need of repair. The main holdup is funding for the materials, though we plan to do the work ourselves once the resources are in hand. Summer is often a tight season for ministry budgets, and unexpected repairs like this stretch things even further. Your prayers—and, as the L-RD leads, your support—are a real encouragement as we navigate these challenges.

This Week's Parashah

(A parashah or Parashat is a term meaning portion~ in this case, it is referring to a portion of the TORAH)

This Shabbat, synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations around the world will be reading and teaching Parashat D’varim (דְבָרִים) from the book of Devarim, “Words” (known in the Christian Bible as “Deuteronomy,” from the Greek Septuagint), beginning the final book of the Torah and opening with Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22 and the speeches of Moshe to Israel before they enter the Land.

Prayer: Blessed are You, O L-RD our G-D, King of the universe,

Who sanctifies us by YOUR Word

And has commanded us to live in and through Your Word.

Remember

This Shabbat we begin Devarim, the final book of the Torah, with Parashat D’varim (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22). We hear the aging Moshe stand before Israel and retell their story—forty years of wandering, failure, mercy, and promise. Before they cross the Jordan, he does not give them a strategy session or a military briefing; he gives them words.

“Devarim” means “words,” but these are not mere reminders. They are covenant words—truth spoken in love to a people on the threshold. Moshe recounts their rebellions, their fears, their resistance to G-D’s call, yet he also reminds them of victories and G-D’s faithfulness. Here we see memory as a tool of both repentance and hope.

As Messianic believers, we stand in a similar place. In Messiah Yeshua, we have been brought out of bondage and are called toward the inheritance G-D has promised. Yet before we move forward, the Ruach (the Spirit) often brings us back—back to remember where we resisted, where we trusted, and where G-D carried us “as a man carries his son” (Deuteronomy 1:31). The past is not rehearsed to shame us, but to make us wise and tender-hearted.

D’varim invites us to listen to G-D’s words afresh. Moshe speaks “across the Jordan,” and Yeshua speaks to us from the mount of Olives, fulfilling and deepening the Torah: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). The same covenant G-D who led Israel through the wilderness now writes His words on our hearts by the Spirit.

This week, take time to sit with Deuteronomy 1–3 and ask: Where has G-D carried me? Where have I resisted? Where is HE inviting me to trust HIM as I stand on the edge of a new season? Then, like Israel, choose to step forward—remembering the past, but walking into the future with Yeshua, the Living Word, leading the way.

Prayer: Abba, our Father,Thank You for the words of Devarim and for Your faithfulness through every wilderness. As we stand at the edge of new seasons, forgive where we have resisted You and strengthen us to trust and obey.

Yeshua, Living Word, speak to our hearts as we read Deuteronomy 1–3. Lead us forward in hope, and unite Jews and Gentiles in You as one people walking in Your ways. Amen.

Antisemitism Watch | July 08,-July 14, 2026

This week’s reports again highlight how antisemitic hatred is expressing itself through both violent threats and public intimidation. In the United States, federal authorities in Georgia announced four prosecutions for antisemitic threats against Jewish employees and institutions, including a Texas man charged with threatening to find and kill Jewish staff at an Atlanta-based company.

In the United Kingdom, officials linked a string of arson and sabotage attacks on synagogues, Hatzola ambulances, and other Jewish sites in London to an Iran‑backed proxy group, now under UK sanctions. At the same time, antisemitic messages have appeared in London’s public transit spaces, and monitors report more than 200 antisemitic incidents in a single month, with hate crime at a two‑year high.

Please join us in praying for protection over Jewish communities, wisdom and courage for leaders confronting antisemitism, and hearts transformed so that hatred against the Jewish people would be exposed, restrained, and ultimately overturned.

חָזָק (Chazak): The Heart of Courage

Pruned to Courage

In our latest podcast, my husband shared from John 15:1-11. Verses 1–3 remind us:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”

So, what do we do during a pruning season? We must surrender to the process. Allow Him to cleanse your heart, wash away your unbelief, and increase your faith. God’s primary tool for this cleansing and growth is His Word. We see this pattern when Jesus faced the enemy in Matthew 4. He repeatedly declared, “It is written.” To navigate pruning and find breakthrough, we must follow His example and speak Scripture out loud.

Silence gives room to anxiety, but speaking the Word releases God's power. If a difficult medical diagnosis brings the fear and heart-anguish described in Psalm 55:4-5, partner with the Holy Spirit by loudly decreeing these truths. Alongside specific Scriptures for physical healing, you can voice these powerful declarations:

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:3)
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid...” (Psalm 56:3-4)

We also know that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7). Speak directly to what is not of God using His promises until you believe it and see breakthrough. As you do, you will experience the reality of John 15:3—you are made clean by the Word spoken over you. Trust the Vinedresser, the One who calls you His beautiful one; He uses His Word to prune you so you can bear much fruit.

If you haven't heard our full podcast episode yet, just search for ShemaShalom on Apple Podcasts or Podbean! 😉

Prayer: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם׃

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Through this prayer HIS name has been placed upon us!!! (see Numbers 6:27) May we walk worthy of HIS name!!!

Resources

Podcasts and More. Did you know we also host a weekly podcast called “Shema Shalom”?

Each episode is designed to encourage your faith and deepen your walk with the L-RD. You can listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, or directly on our website.

We’d love for you to join us—wherever and whenever you listen!

You can also stay connected with Shalom Bridge on TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, where we share updates, encouragement, and teaching throughout the week. You’ll find our podcast episodes and weekly Parashah blogs anytime on our website at www.shalombridge.org.

🎬 Calling All Creatives! We Want You! Join our Shalom Bridge Ministry Team!

Do you have a heart for ministry and a gift for video editing? We are looking for someone to help us bring Shalom Bridge Ministries to life on screen! Once a week, we would send you raw footage, and you would work your magic — cutting it together into one beautiful, shareable video. If this sounds like something you'd love to pour your gifts into, we would love to hear from you! Reach out to us at connect@shalombridge.org or (720)722-2375.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous support. Your partnership enables us to continue sharing this message of hope and reconciliation with the nations. We are deeply grateful to walk this journey with you.

Stay connected with us at www.shalombridge.org or connect@shalombridge.org.

B’Shalom, Dr. Eugene & Judith Saunders

Partner with us to make disciples for Yeshua. Pray about making a gift today to support this ministry? There are many ways to give. You can give online through our Website using Zeffy, give via Cash App, Zelle (through 503-816-7599), or send a special offering to Shalom Bridge at 12745 South Rock Creek Lane, Haines, Oregon 97833. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us. Your help and support are greatly needed and appreciated.

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The work is just beginning—and your presence matters.

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Sha’ul (Paul) Galatians 3:28

At Shalom Bridge.org, we believe that unity is the heartbeat of truth and that love across lines, fulfills the vision G‑D gave us. Thank you for being part of something sacred—and for choosing to build bridges where walls once divided.

With deep gratitude and hope,

The Shalom Bridge Team Bridging faith. Growing love. Finding shalom.

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