Barns of Memory, Paths of Grace
Another Installment in “The Art of Worship” Series—Pairing Visual Art with Words and Music
There are places where memory lingers long enough to become a kind of sacrament—outward signs of an invisible reality. A rusted roof, a leaning fence post, a path disappearing into dusk—these are not just scenes from the countryside, but signs. In these two painted meditations, I returned to the barns of the old South—whether hidden in cedar shadows or standing firm in golden fields.
I suspect the old barn I cherished so dearly, where I grew up, is long gone. Even then, it was approaching a hundred years old. Yet within its weathered walls lived many memories—milking cows, tending sheep and goats, hauling hay each day to feed the livestock, and brushing down the old horse. It was the heart of my 4-H work as a boy and often served as a place for quiet meditation. Old barns inevitably succumb to the law of entropy, as we all must. Yet they are not forgotten. They are preserved, just as we are.
View the paintings on ArtPal:
These quiet structures speak of something enduring. They hint at the lives that built them, the prayers said within, and the providence that upheld them through wind and time. Jeremiah’s call is not merely to stop at the crossroads but to look, ask, and walk the good way—to find rest not in answers but in His presence.
About This Series – The Art of Worship
In The Art of Worship, I seek to unite sacred art, music, and the Word of God to rekindle our sense of awe and enhance our journey with Christ. Each entry features a blend of original visual art and music, grounded in Scripture and inspired by the serene beauty of worship, memory, and mission. I hope these creations will draw you closer to the One who is the true Author of all beauty, the One for whom all things are created, and to whom the stars sing throughout the cosmos.
Musical Pairing: “Down the Road” – Michael A. Milton
(From the album Follow Your Call, 2011)
Let the music walk with you for a while. Let the brushstrokes guide your gaze. These are not just barns. They are waypoints on the pathway through our lives.
“And here is the key to a house far away
Where I used to live as a child
They tore down the building when I moved away
And left the key unreconciled
And down in the canyon the smoke starts to rise
It rides on the wind ’til it reaches your eyes
When faced with the past the strongest man cries
Cries.”
— “Souvenirs,” Words and Music © 1974 by Dan Fogelberg (1951-2007)
Bibliography for The Will of God
Over the years of ministry, I have gathered bibliographies on various aspects of Christian life. While these are not exhaustive by any means, they include select readings that have aided me in ministering to others. They are available for you should you wish to use them in your own studies.
