MAY YOUR TROUBLES BE LESS AND YOUR BLESSINGS BE MORE AND NOTHING BUT HAPPINESS COME THROUGH YOUR DOOR! A typical Irish Blessing – especially for today as I prepare to leave for Belfast, Northern Ireland We will visit a few of the churches that Patrick started - there are over 300 on the island of Ireland. Just thot you might like to know more about this wonderful man of God. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Was there really a saint, named Patrick of Ireland? YES! But he is not who most people know him to be! Several things he was not: 1) He was not Irish; 2) He was not Catholic; 3) He did not rid Ireland of snakes; 4) He was not ordained by any church or man; 5) St Patrick’s Day is more of an American Tradition than one of Ireland. It was considered a “minor religious holiday” in Ireland, but Irish immigrants began as early as the American Revolution to hold celebrations of their “patron saint,” in honor of their heritage. (In the 1970s Ireland began to celebrate as USA was doing.) There are – after all – more than 56.7 million Americans – 11.9% of the total population – who reportedly claim Irish ancestry. (2008 Census Report.) Because I have been so blessed to have made several trips to the Emerald Isle, and I’ve been to some of the churches that Patrick established, even sat on his tombstone; I can confirm there really was a man named Patrick, who lived and ministered in Ireland during the early 5th Century. He left a true legacy of his love for Jesus Christ across both of the nations – Northern Ireland and Ireland. Born in England circa 390 A.D., to an affluent family, Patrick was taken by pirates at the age of 16 and enslaved on what was then a very pagan island, where he was made to tend sheep. “During his six years of captivity, he became deeply devoted to Christianity through constant prayer. In a vision, he saw the children of Pagan Ireland reaching out their hands to him. With this, he grew increasingly determined to free the Irish from Druidism by converting them to Christianity.” After six years in slavery, Patrick had a dream of escaping and returning to England, and soon he was reunited with his family in England around 412 A.D. But he never lost sight of his vision to convert Ireland, and he returned preaching, writing, establishing churches and signs, wonders and miracles followed him wherever he traveled. He is credited with founding 700 churches, the first of which is generally considered Saul Church in Northern Ireland, just outside Belfast. In less than 30-years, this missionary saw the greater part of Ireland came to faith in Christ. There are reports that more than 30 who were resurrected from the dead by Patrick’s ministry: “For the blind and the lame, the deaf and the dumb, the palsied, the lunatic, the leprous, the epileptic, all who labored under any disease, did he in the Name of the Holy Trinity restore unto the power of their limbs and unto entire health; and in these good deeds was he daily practiced…” ........... “Saint” Patrick’s Life was an outrageously exciting life, like the men and women of faith in Hebrews 11. In a place where “Christianity” was hated, at a time that he could have been killed for his faith, he knew the call of God in his life, and was given “Keys” that opened Kingdom doors to see a nation converted to Christ! So, I ask you again, “Was Patrick a saint?” He knew the call of God in his life, and without turning back, stepped into a supernatural life, to complete the assignment he was given! What a challenge! What an opportunity we have been given today! “Here am I, Lord, send me!” (Isaiah.6:8) See the complete article at outrageousgrace.org/st-patrick-2/ (click on the picture)
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 04:51:17 +0000
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