The Emerald Isle
Being that it's St. Paddy's Day, here are five reasons to thank God for the Irish:
5) Saint Patrick
Originally from England, Saint Patrick, was enslaved as a teenager and taken to Ireland. After being freed, he returned to the Emerals Isle and became one of the greatest missionaries in history, and it's fitting that we celebrate his life and the nation of Ireland today. His legend has grown over time, but it is most certainly true that he shared the gospel with thousands of people—a famous object lesson is the nature of the trinity as revealed in the clover—three leaves, yet one stem.
Image: BBC
4) You're welcome, Norway
The good news that Patrick taught was brought to the northlands when Viking raiders took slaves of Irish believers. Although they didn't willingly go, these missionaries shared their faith with their owners and even converted them. Generations later, descendants of these Vikings returned to the UK to thank them for their grace and faith.
The Book of Kells
3) They Saved Saved Civilization
Irish monastic scribes maintained the record of civilization by preserved ancient greek and latin documents after the fall of Rome, when libraries throughout Europe were lost. You can check out Thomas Cahill's book on Amazon
2) Guinness as a Healthful Beverage
Brewer Arthur Guinness helped heal his alcohol-tortured generation by brewing his namesake nutritious beer. Inspired by John Wesley, Guinness used his profits to found the first Irish Sunday schools. He gave to the poor, and passed his values on to his kids who bettered the lives of their employees, and created an entire prosperous community around their enterprise. Stephen Mansfield's The Search for God and Guinness tells the whole amazing story
1) U2
Need I say more?