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This past weekend, Paula and I were able to go to Virginia Beach to visit my daughter and attend church with her on Sunday. On Saturday, we went to the Chrysler Museum of Art and I was able to see a painting by one of my favorite Artists – Thomas Cole – the painting was “The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds”. Click on label text in the link for information about the painting. Here is a pic from my phone:
Tuesday Question
On Tuesday, we posted a question on Exile Community (it’s where we post all our polls and questions). See the results below.
Thursday Reflection
On Thursday, I about the Wilderness Experience.
Saturday Song of the Week
On Saturday, Karen Egyud posted the song of the week – Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech/Hilllsong Music. Karen shares the story of the song but here is another thought about it – Darlene Zschech has shared that she wrote it during a season when life felt overwhelming. Bills were piling up, family responsibilities weighed heavily on her, and there never seemed to be enough money. While faithfully serving in her church, she found herself exhausted and discouraged.
One day she sat down at an out-of-tune piano in a room scattered with children’s toys. She opened her Bible to the Psalms and simply began to pray. Out of that ordinary, messy moment, she started to sing. In about twenty minutes, the heart of the song was born—not from a mountaintop experience, but from a place of desperation and dependence on God.
There is something deeply encouraging about that.
We often think worship requires the right setting, the right emotions, or a life that feels put together. But this story reminds us that worship doesn’t have to be perfect. It isn’t reserved for the moments when everything is going well. Some of the most authentic worship we offer comes when we feel weary, uncertain, or overwhelmed.
God doesn’t ask us to bring polished performances. He simply invites us to bring ourselves—our fears, our questions, our burdens, and our praise.
Throughout Scripture, we see that God consistently meets people in the middle of their circumstances, not after those circumstances have been resolved. He meets us in our living rooms, at our kitchen tables, in hospital rooms, in lonely places, and in seasons when we don’t know how things will work out.
Maybe that’s where you find yourself today.
If so, let this song be a reminder that your worship still matters. You don’t have to wait until life feels easier or your faith feels stronger. God is present in this moment, and He welcomes your honest heart.
Sometimes the most beautiful songs of worship are born in the middle of life’s most difficult seasons.
Sunday Story
On Sunday, Mike Mast and I shared the story of how we met and talked about the significance of meaningful relationships. Looking back, I’m grateful for the friendships that have shaped my life, encouraged my faith, and reminded me that we were never meant to walk alone.
But relationships aren’t always easy.
I’ve failed people I care about. I’ve been selfish, impatient, and absent at times when I should have been present. I’ve also experienced the pain of being hurt, misunderstood, and disappointed by others. If we’re honest, that’s the risk we all take when we choose to love. Every meaningful relationship has the potential to bring incredible joy—but also deep pain.
Sometimes those wounds come from friends. Sometimes they come from family. And for many of us, they even come from the church.
What’s been surprising in my own journey is realizing that following Jesus doesn’t eliminate pain either. There have been seasons where I’ve wrestled with unanswered prayers, confusing circumstances, and moments when God seemed silent. Faith doesn’t exempt us from hardship; it gives us someone to hold onto in the middle of it.
Yet through every disappointment, every broken relationship, every season of questioning, I keep coming back to one truth:
God is faithful.
Scripture never promises a life free from relational pain, but it does promise that God will never leave us or forsake us.
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We may be in exile, but we are not alone.
More to come next week including an exciting announcement.
Rich Pennington,
Founder, Exile