Together in Faith: Building a Stronger Community
- Dr. Eugene
- Aug 11
- 9 min read
NewsletteR
Welcome to the Shalom Bridge Family!
Shalom, and welcome to Shalom Bridge—a community where Jews and Gentiles come together to reclaim our shared inheritance in G‑D's promises to Israel, and to journey side by side in the renewed life we find through Messiah.
News
Shiloh Campus Update:
The Goat Situation
The goats have officially moved in, and thanks to some wonderfully generous donors, they've taken on the sacred duty of demolishing every blade of grass, bush, and weed unfortunate enough to cross their path. In exchange for their landscaping services, we're treated nightly to what can only be described as operatic bleating — think of it as dinner theater, minus the dinner reservations. Judith bravely volunteered for goat-milking duty, and we've both since learned a hard truth: milking a goat is not the peaceful pastoral scene depicted on cheese labels. Our goat, apparently trained in the martial arts, has perfected a rapid-fire kick maneuver deployed the instant anyone attempts the squeeze-and-pull technique. We are, at best, 0-for-several in this ongoing negotiation but with some milk.
The Great Poultry Escape
The quail have not been having a good summer. Between the relentless heat and some suspiciously aggressive roosters throwing their weight around, we've lost a few members of the flock — RIP, feathered friends.
But the real drama unfolded this morning. I had to sprint away from the chicken coop to stage an emergency intervention: Lyra had decided the goats looked like excellent chase material. I hustled her into the house, mission accomplished — except I then discovered, with the sinking feeling reserved for moments like this, that I'd left the chicken yard gate wide open the entire time. Naturally, several birds had already seized their moment of freedom.
I raced back to the scene of the crime and commenced “Operation Chase the Chicken,” a strategy that mostly involved me running in circles while accomplishing nothing whatsoever. Then, in a flash of genius (figurative light bulb included), I remembered I had a professional on standby. Back to the house I went for a stern, respectful heart-to-heart with Lyra: "Chickens — yes. Goats — no." She listened. She understood. She executed flawlessly, herding every last chicken back into the yard like she'd been doing it her whole life.
Every bird made it home except one guinea fowl, who apparently had other plans.
The Guinea's Grand Adventure
Since I was already committed to a full day of outdoor labor, I made an executive decision to let the rebellious guinea fowl have her walkabout. Lyra gave chase multiple times with great enthusiasm, but this only sent the guinea into a full panic, flying further into the wilderness each time — clearly not the reunion Lyra had in mind.
About three hours later, a hawk let out an ominous cry somewhere in the woods, and moments later the guinea fowl responded with her own alarm call — the poultry equivalent of screaming for backup. Suddenly she came sprinting to the chicken yard fence, desperately trying to break back in. Based on the sheer volume of screeching, it was clear she had no intention of solving this problem herself, so I went over and let her in personally.
She did not thank me. There was no gratitude in her eyes, only mild indignation at having needed rescuing at all. But she's back with the flock, safe, humbled, and presumably reconsidering her life choices.
Help us build Shalom Bridge this summer.
Would you consider partnering with us this season? For just $5 a week — less than the price of a cup of coffee — or $25 a month, you can help foster understanding, provide teaching, and strengthen the bonds among Jews, Gentiles, and all who long to hear the good news of Yeshua. Every gift, large or small, adds another plank to the bridge we're building together. And if you're already partnering with us — thank you. Your steady faithfulness means more than you know.
Right now, your support is especially needed for fencing, which runs $2.50–$5 per foot. Every $50 you give secures 15–20 feet of pasture. Our goal this summer is $2,500 — bringing us one step closer to hooves on the hillside this fall.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/partner-with-shalom-bridge-making-disciples-of-yeshua
Update: Thank you for your support. We now have $650.00 toward our $2,500.00.
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)
TThis Shabbat, synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations around the world will be reading and reflecting on Parashat Shoftim (שֹׁפְטִים), meaning "Judges," from the book of Devarim, "Words" (Deuteronomy). Found in Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9, this portion continues Moshe's final exhortations to Israel, laying out instructions for establishing just leadership and courts and calling the people to pursue righteousness as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
Justice, Justice
"Justice, justice shall you pursue" (Deuteronomy 16:20). In Parashat Shoftim, Moshe doesn't merely command Israel to establish courts and judges—he doubles the word tzedek, justice, justice, as if to say that righteousness pursued half-heartedly is no righteousness at all. This is a whole-life calling: honest in our business, fair in our judgments, incorruptible even when no one is watching.
But Shoftim points beyond human courts. Tucked within its laws of judges, kings, and priests is a breathtaking promise: "I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth... whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him" (Deuteronomy 18:18–19). This is a direct prophecy of Messiah—the ultimate Prophet, the perfect Judge, the one who does not merely command justice but embodies it.
Yeshua is called Shofet Tzadik, the Righteous Judge, and YHWH Tzidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness. In Him, mishpat (justice) and tzedakah (righteousness) are not cold legal terms but living realities poured into hearts by the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit). Isaiah tells us that of His government and shalom there will be no end (Isaiah 9:6–7)—a kingdom established not by human courts alone, but by the Spirit writing Torah on our hearts.
Beloved, the pursuit of justice begins within. Before we can judge rightly in the gates of our cities, we must submit our own hearts to the Righteous Judge who already knows us fully and loves us still. Ask the Ruach today: where have I shown partiality? Where have I compromised truth for comfort? Let Messiah, our perfect Prophet and Judge, govern your inner courtroom first—then let His justice flow through you into your home, your community, and the world, until that Day when His reign of shalom fills the earth.
Prayer: Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and King,
Thank You for Your faithful provision and for leading us each step of the way. May we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with YOU oh ADONAI. Through Yeshua our Messiah, strengthen us to follow Your ways with faithfulness and devotion.
B’shem Yeshua, Amen
Antisemitism Watch | August 05,-August 11, 2026
Montreal, Canada — A passerby repeatedly tried to pull an Orthodox Jewish man's streimel from his head outside a Montreal synagogue. Source: Jerusalem Post/CAM, https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-902321[jpost]
Bansko, Bulgaria (Aug 2, reported Aug 5) — A mob of neo-Nazi skinheads in black shirts surrounded a hotel housing roughly 300 Jewish youth from a Bnei Akiva summer camp, including 80 Italian teens from Rome and Milan. They chanted "Sieg Heil," gave Nazi salutes, and tried to force their way inside; police dispersed them once, but they returned to block the entrances again. Source: Jerusalem Post, https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-904697[jpost]
Mauthausen Memorial, Austria (Aug 5) — A student group toured the former Nazi concentration camp wearing "Free Palestine" shirts, repeatedly declaring "Israel commits genocide" on the grounds where six million Jews were murdered; their group leader had no answer when confronted. Source: Combat Antisemitism Movement, https://combatantisemitism.org/[combatantisemitism]
North Miami Beach, Florida (Aug 6) — A woman was criminally charged after an antisemitic attack on a Jewish man inside a Target store. Source: Combat Antisemitism Movement, https://combatantisemitism.org/recent-news/[combatantisemitism]
Heraklion, Crete, Greece (Aug 6) — One of the city's busiest streets was defaced with large graffiti reading "DEATH TO THE IDF" and "LONG LIVE THE PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE," language CAM notes is often used to whitewash Hamas terrorism. Source: Combat Antisemitism Movement, https://combatantisemitism.org/[combatantisemitism]
Flagler Beach, Florida (Aug 10) — A campaign sign for Jewish Congressman Randy Fine was defaced with a Nazi swastika outside an early voting location. Source: Combat Antisemitism Movement, https://combatantisemitism.org/[combatantisemitism]
Montenegro (Aug 10) — Two Israeli tourists were chased and kicked in an apparent antisemitic attack while visiting a casino, after a man asked where they were from. Source: Jerusalem Post, https://www.jpost.com/articlearchive/listarticlearchive.aspx[jpost]
Manila Airport, Philippines (Aug 9) — An American traveler told an Israeli man, "Too bad Hitler didn't finish the job," sparking a physical brawl in the terminal before airport police intervened and detained both men. Source: Combat Antisemitism Movement, https://combatantisemitism.org/recent-news/[combatantisemitism]
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
Take Courage — He Will Make His Voice Heard
Have you ever struggled to hear God’s voice or figure out His direction when you're praying for something? Honestly, I was wrestling with that exact same thing while praying about what He wanted to share with you this week.
As I was praying, I suddenly thought of my Bible reading of this morning from Isaiah 30:30-33, which says that “Adonai will make His glorious voice heard.” I had to laugh—talk about an immediate response! But as we both know, it doesn’t always happen that fast.
The beautiful thing here is that it's a direct promise. God wants to talk to you, and He will make His voice heard. But what does that actually look like? Do you truly believe we can still hear Him today? If we believe the Bible, we have to believe that the Lord still speaks to us as like He did in biblical times.
Hearing Him usually starts with learning to recognize what His voice sounds like. For a few people, it’s an actual audible voice. But for most of us, it’s an internal voice—almost like your own thoughts, but with an unexpected answer or a sudden wave of peace. This is that "still, small voice."
Think about the promises in Scripture. Isaiah 30:21 says you'll hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it," guiding your everyday decisions. In John 10:3, Jesus says the sheep hear His voice, and He calls them by name.
I dug into that word "hear" in the Greek — akouō — and it means to perceive what is being spoken in your presence, to receive and learn by listening. Beloved, He is speaking. Do you believe? Are you positioned to listen? Keep your heart open, because He is right there with you, and He is going to make His direction clear.
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.
Explore & Engage
1. Our Story & Values
Meet the heart behind the Bridge: a Spirit-led mission to minister across hearts and heritages, anchored by the Holy Scriptures and the ancient texts that shape our journey ShalomBridge.org
2. Invitation to Wonder
Browse articles, teachings, and resources exploring “How do the ancient texts speak to us today?” and “What does it mean to live in the unity that Yeshua directed?”
3. Join Us in Real Time
Link into online fellowships, find local gatherings, and join intimate circles rooted in dialogue, prayer, and love-in-action.
Partner With Us
We’re launching with an invitation -
become a partner with Shalom Bridge—through:
Prayerful support
Participating in conversations
Inviting friends into community
Giving financially to our ongoing growth
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.
PS: Already visited? We’d love to know: what stood out to you most? Hit “reply” and let us listen.
Join us on our members app to stay updated and keep in touch.
Comments