Podcasts about irish saved civilization

Ringside interviews the incredible minds at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne during Symposia 2025. Guest  Rev. Dr. Jason Lane TOPICS: Benedict Option Democracy as the new religion Joyful Living: It's fun Formulated ideas by podcasts Technology is faster or Slower? Liturgy of rest   Thank you:  1517.org  thejaggedword.com Grace Lutheran Ventura St. James Lutheran, Chicago   Monthly Sponsors: James Houseman, Frankie Meadows, Blayne Watts, and Eddie Switek   YOU CAN BE A RINGSIDE SPONSOR:  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=TZBU7UQQAWEVN   Music: Joel Allen Hess - More on bandcamp Dead Horse One - “I love my man”   Other: The Fall of Rome, W.H. Auden After Virtue, by Alasdair MacIntyre How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss both the startling rise of cultural Christianity in the West, as well as the incurably churchy desires of our souls. While there is an upward trend in America for people to identify themselves as religiously unaffiliated, they don't actually seem to want to disaffiliate themselves from all things related to religion. In fact, there are many traditions and symbols associated with Christianity that they seem to long for. So what causes this spiritual hunger? Episode Links Dr. White recently blogged about this topic, which is part of what prompted today's conversation. We'd suggest reading “The Rise of Cultural Christianity” and “Surprising Mourners for the Decline of Christianity.” There was also an article written by Madeleine Davies for The New Statesman titled “The rise of cultural Christianity,” which you can find HERE. Dr. White also mentioned the surprising commentary made recently by famed atheist Richard Dawkins stating that he would consider himself to be a cultural Christian. You can watch the LBC video post of Richard Dawkins on X HERE, as well as read the article written by Walter Sánchez Silva titled “Famous Atheist Richard Dawkins Says He Considers Himself a ‘Cultural Christian'.” There was another article Dr. White referenced written by Derek Thompson - who considers himself to be an agnostic - in The Atlantic. You can read “The True Cost of the Churchgoing Bust” HERE. There were a few books that Dr. White noted related to today's conversation: The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order by Sam Huntington, Mr. Jones, Meet the Master: Sermons and Prayers of Peter Marshall by Catherine Marshall and How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill. There are a couple past podcasts that you may be interested in checking out related to today's conversation. One is CCP106: On Atheists and Agnostics and the other is CCP9: On Unchurched Christians. The first explores the rise in Americans saying “no” to organized religion and the second focuses on this desire that so many have to find church-like experiences in other settings. There is also an article written by Marc Ramirez in USA Today titled “As Millions Leave Organized Religion, Spiritual and Secular Communities Offer Refuge.” You can read that article HERE. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

My guest today is my real life friend, the incredible Jennifer Pepito. Jen is a mom to 7 and a grandma to 1.  She is a homeschooler and has been homeschooling for 26 years! Jen is the creator and founder of The Peaceful Press, an author several books, including her newest one, Habits for a Sacred Home -–9 Practices from History to Anchor and Restore Modern Families. I love many things about Jen, but her approach to motherhood has always inspired me so much. She engages in motherhood with so much intentionality and care and that is really the focus of her new book. Jen also highlights the importance and power we are given in our roles as mothers. Her new book is incredibly empowering and inspiring. I loved hearing more about the women Jen highlighted in her book and learning from their stories and I know you will too!  Some links from today's episode: Find Jennifer's website The Peaceful Press here Follow Jennifer on Instagram here Get Jennifer's book, Habits for a Sacred Home here Listen to Jennifer's podcast here Find out about the homeschooling community Wild and Free here Find the book The Benedict Option here Find the book How the Irish Saved Civilization here Find the book For the Children's Sake here Find Tish Oxenreider's Rule of Life course here  Some favorite quotes from today's episode: *As mothers, we are teaching our children to value the natural world. We are teaching our children how to read and how to value living books. Appreciation of art, reading real books, picking up after themselves, having dinner around the table and looking at each other in the eye--these are all classical and practical arts, lost arts, that we are saving as mothers.” Jennifer Pepito *We as moms are saving our culture with normal, everyday practices we engage in with our families.” Jennifer Pepito *“There is power in seemingly simple acts like eating dinner at the table with our family every night.” Greta Eskridge *”So much of what we do as mothers can seem hard in the moment, but when we can recognize how powerful it is and what heroes we are for doing it, it can give us a new perspective and make us feel more empowered by what we're doing.” Jennifer Pepito *”The real change starts at home and it starts with moms.” Chris McKenna *”We are stepping into the lives of our children and making generational impact.” Greta Eskridge  *”It's so important for moms to have a vision of what they could be like.” Jennifer Pepito *”The fight to which we have been called is not an easy fight. We are touching the very center of the devil's power and kingdom, and he hates us intensely and fights hard against us. We have no chance at all of winning in this fight unless we are disciplined soldiers, utterly out-and-out and uncompromising, and men and women of prayer.” Amy Carmichael *”If the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy.” Corrie ten Boom “I do not think anything worth having in the spiritual world is easily attained. There is no shortcut to holiness. But there can be a true, humble, loving choice of the soul, and that choice, becoming a habit, will lead it into peace.” Amy Carmichael 

Father Joseph Illo joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Reading (3:54) What is Spiritual Reading? Judy - Louis De Wohl wrote historical novels which are really great! (15:54) What type of books are good for the adoration chapel? Fr. Bill - I love reading! My favorite: 1. The Diary of St. Faustina, 2. A concise history of the Catholic Church (21:18) Break 1 (25:24) Lee - 'Escape from Evil and Darkness' by Fr. Robert Spritzers, they are great read, amazing the take he put in the gospels in themselves. Lynn - Alternative ways to read, listen to books that are read into a cartridge. Doug - Books by Thomas Cahill, the Hinges of History. My favorite: How the Irish Saved Civilization Julie - The Imitation of Christ by Thomas Compass and anything by St. Monica, for anyone who is looking to get children back to the faith, also books by Michael Gaitley. (37:05) Break 2 Stanly - 'In finu Jesu, when heart beats to heart, the journal of a priest at prayer' by a Benedictine monk in Ireland. It was recently release. Reading this book has turned my heart to almost daily to adoration and daily rosary. Carlos - The devil and the castle by Dan Burke... About prayer life and teaching of St Theresa of Avila Jack - Bringing 'The Imitation of Christ' to the chapel he and I by Gabrielle Bossis Charlie - The Human Soul by Abbot Vonier Maria - Author A.J. Cronin - The Keys of the Kingdom. Ted - Prince Ombra (47:13) Father's book of Must reads for Everyone! Resources: Louis De Wohl is a great author for historical fiction about saints Charles Dickens has a great understanding of the human nurture The Brothers Karamazov https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Karamazov-Fyodor-Dostoevsky/dp/0374528373 Michael O'brien has great novels which bring us closer to God Escape from Evil and Darkness by Fr. Robert Spritzers https://ignatius.com/escape-from-evils-darkness-eedp/ Thomas Cahill - How the Irish Saved Civilization https://www.amazon.com/How-Irish-Saved-Civilization-Irelands/dp/0385418493 Imitation of Christ for adoration is a great book. https://catholicbookpublishing.com/products/the-imitation-of-christ-burgundy-320-00 In sinu Jesu, when heart beats to heart, the journal of a priest at prayer helped a listener get into praying the rosary https://www.amazon.com/Sinu-Jesu-Speaks-Journal-Priest/dp/1621382192 The Devil in the Castle by Dan Burke https://sophiainstitute.com/product/the-devil-in-the-castle/ Edith Stein A Biography https://ignatius.com/edith-stein-esp/ Top 5 Books: Story of a Soul https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-story-of-a-soul-the-autobiography-of-st-therese-of-lisieux/ Saint Augustine's confessions https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-confessions-of-st-augustine-catholic-classics The little flowers of Saint Francis https://catholicbookpublishing.com/products/the-little-flowers-of-st-francis-of-assisi-tan Saint Francis de Sales introduction to the Devout life https://ascensionpress.com/products/introduction-to-the-devout-life Imitation of Christ https://catholicbookpublishing.com/products/the-imitation-of-christ-burgundy-320-00 Bonus Recommendations. Space Trilogy CS Louis The Lord of the Rings JRR Tolkien

Welcome to Season 4 of Down Under Theology, a podcast equipping and encouraging Australian Christians to get down and under the theology impacting the life and mission of the church.In this episode, we discuss the rise of Monasticism and the Rule of St Benedict. Monasticism has had a great impact on the church today, perhaps more than we realise. We examine the implications of monasticism on Christian living today, especially with regard to spiritual disciplines.Thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch with us at downundertheology@gmail.com.---Episode Hosts:Allister Lum Mow (@allisterlm)Cameron Clausing (@cam_clausing)Murray SmithProducer:Nick RabeEpisode Sponsor:Christ College, Sydney---S4 Episode 7 - Show NotesRecommended Resources - The Rule of Saint Benedict (Google it!)How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill (Amazon link)Life of St Antony by Athanasius (Online link)Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (4th edition) by Mark A. NollChrist College, SydneyPreparing leaders for God's church and its gospel-centred mission in the world.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Chicago Way w/John Kass (03/1/24): To celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick, 1st generation Southside Irishman & English teacher Pat Hickey joins the podcast to discuss his family’s history on the island, the great Irish habit of saving civilization from itself, and Two Gored Bulls of Ireland. Plus, Kass & Carlin take Steve Cochran to task […]

Well, Thomas Cahill was supposed to be on to talk about how The Irish Saved Civilization, but he was going to do it from Rome, may have made his case to the Pope, unfortunately the number given us was long-distance to his fax machine; fortunately, 2 delightful Irish women, one actually from Ireland, called in and filled in some of the gaps of what Cahill had to say about that day in 400 AD, after which everybody in the (then) current day, wished me a happy birthday.

To celebrate and explain St. Patrick's Day, today's episode features a brief biography of St. Patrick. Roman-British missionary St. Patrick lived from 385 to 461 and is famous for bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. Learn the full story and how Patrick's life shows the value of being classically educated. The quote from St. Patrick's Confessio is available from https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_latin#01The story about Irish monasteries preserving manuscripts from the ancient world is drawn from “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” available here: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/how-the-irish-saved-civilization-the-untold-story-of-irelands-heroic-role-from-the-fall-of-rome-to-the-rise-of-medieval-europe-by-thomas-cahill/247589/?resultid=14dc8acd-4e59-40b8-b2ef-02c8bb1116a9#edition=2381566&idiq=4442804

If we're going to restore what is lost in our world, first we may need to withdraw from the skirmish and go in search of it ourselves. We retreat in order to accomplish the retrieval, always with a mind to return to the world for the restorative work. In this episode, Mark and Cameron talk about the pros and cons of the way contemporary authors have explored “options” for this task from the ancient practice of monasticism.Mentioned in this episode:“A Wild Christianity,” by Paul Kingsnorth (First Things)How the Irish Saved Civilization, by Thomas Cahill

To celebrate and explain St. Patrick's Day, today's episode features a brief biography of St. Patrick. Roman-British missionary St. Patrick lived from 385 to 461 and is famous for bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. Learn the full story and how Patrick's life shows the value of being classically educated. The quote from St. Patrick's Confessio is available from https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_latin#01The story about Irish monasteries preserving manuscripts from the ancient world is drawn from “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” available here: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/how-the-irish-saved-civilization-the-untold-story-of-irelands-heroic-role-from-the-fall-of-rome-to-the-rise-of-medieval-europe-by-thomas-cahill/247589/?resultid=14dc8acd-4e59-40b8-b2ef-02c8bb1116a9#edition=2381566&idiq=4442804

Episode 12: The Secret of Kells (2009) (feat. Maiko Greenleaf)   Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Hannah converts to Christianity in this episode that takes us on a journey from Irish MythologyxBible crossover fics to a Golden Age of Saints and Scholars to Colonialism to a beautiful unique film about the blending of Irish religion and culture. We explore  a world of intricate art, faeries who deserve more screen time, and wide-eyed ginger scamps trying to save the Bible while their crossfit uncle tries to Build that Wall (for actually a good reason) Sorry not sorry to the Vikings.    Thank you listener and wood elf Maiko Greenleaf for joining us on this holiday adventure in the Emerald Isle. Follow her @maikogreenleaf for costuming fun!   Research for this episode: How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill The History Section of the Troy and Sterling Heights Public Library Irish-American Heritage    ====================================   Watch Us on YouTube!    Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:   @notmyfantasypod Instagram TikTok   Research & Writing by Cullen Callaghan.  This episode was edited by Cullen Callaghan.   Cover Art by William Callaghan. Intro Music "Not My Fantasy Quest" by Scott Little.

By Thomas Cahill 4 of 5

Infinite Loops Podcast Notes Key Takeaways Check out Infinite Loops Podcast Episode Page & Show NotesRead the full notes @ podcastnotes.orgBen Hunt is the creator and primary author of Epsilon Theory, and co-founder and CIO at Second Foundation Partners. Epsilon Theory is a newsletter that examines markets through the lenses of game theory and history. Over 100,000 professional investors and allocators across 180 countries read Epsilon Theory for its fresh perspective and novel insights into market dynamics. You can follow Ben on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EpsilonTheory and read Epsilon Theory here: https://www.epsilontheory.com/ Show Notes: Neurolinguistic hard reset Ben's days at Harvard Why Klaus Schwab is a raccoon Human beings are social animals How language impacts and limits us The cost of the Metaverse How the nudging state is rewiring us Does narrative follow price, or is it the inverse? Traders respond to stories everyday How technology can fight the nudging state. NOAH: An ark of stories on the blockchain Books Mentioned: The WEIRDest People in the World; by Joseph Henrich How the Irish Saved Civilization; by Thomas Cahill

Ben Hunt is the creator and primary author of Epsilon Theory, and co-founder and CIO at Second Foundation Partners. Epsilon Theory is a newsletter that examines markets through the lenses of game theory and history. Over 100,000 professional investors and allocators across 180 countries read Epsilon Theory for its fresh perspective and novel insights into market dynamics. You can follow Ben on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EpsilonTheory and read Epsilon Theory here: https://www.epsilontheory.com/ Show Notes: Neurolinguistic hard reset Ben's days at Harvard Why Klaus Schwab is a raccoon Human beings are social animals How language impacts and limits us The cost of the Metaverse How the nudging state is rewiring us Does narrative follow price, or is it the inverse? Traders respond to stories everyday How technology can fight the nudging state. NOAH: An ark of stories on the blockchain Books Mentioned: The WEIRDest People in the World; by Joseph Henrich How the Irish Saved Civilization; by Thomas Cahill

St. Patrick's Day is not just about parades, green rivers and pints of Guinness. In this episode, Brian teaches what he has learned from his studies of the life and times of Ireland's patron saint. He details the incredible influence St. Patrick has had around the world and shares the powerful life lessons we can all learn from him. YOU WILL LEARN:· Why your pain can reveal your purpose.· Why you must always be patient and prepare.· Why you have to be relentless.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” by Thomas Cahill https://www.amazon.com/How-Irish-Saved-Civilization-Irelands/dp/0385418493/ref=sr_1_1?crid=A5AI7FHQARRR&keywords=how+the+irish+saved+civilization&qid=1645979901&s=books&sprefix=how+the+irish+saved+%2Cstripbooks%2C202&sr=1-1 Trinity College Dublinwww.tcd.ie The Book of Kellshttps://www.tcd.ie/visitors/book-of-kells/ INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “St. Patrick transformed Ireland from what it was to what it would become.” – Brian Buffini “Out of your pain comes your purpose, for all of us in living the good life.” – Brian Buffini “Don't give up. Don't take your eyes off the prize. It's a good life, keep fighting.” – Brian Buffini “Here's to a long life and a merry one.” – St. Patrick “So drink your pints and sing your songs, go to your parades and dye your rivers green. But don't forget what St. Patrick's Day really means.” – Brian Buffini See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To celebrate and explain St. Patrick's Day, today's episode features a brief biography of St. Patrick. Roman-British missionary St. Patrick lived from 385 to 461 and is famous for bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. Learn the full story and how Patrick's life shows the value of being classically educated. The quote from St. Patrick's Confessio is available from https://www.confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_latin#01The story about Irish monasteries preserving manuscripts from the ancient world is drawn from “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” available here: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/how-the-irish-saved-civilization-the-untold-story-of-irelands-heroic-role-from-the-fall-of-rome-to-the-rise-of-medieval-europe-by-thomas-cahill/247589/?resultid=14dc8acd-4e59-40b8-b2ef-02c8bb1116a9#edition=2381566&idiq=4442804

Formed for MissionThomas Cahill wrote a series of books called, “The Hinges of History.” He calls these different points in human history this because they are places in the drama of human history where what happened­­––usually orchestrated by unlikely people in unlikely places––affected the history we know today. In other words, he could talk about, How the Irish Saved Civilization. Talk about unlikely! Patrick was an illiterate priest. At least, in his day he missed much training for the priesthood as he had been taken captive by the Celts, a totally pagan tribe in Ireland. And then this group, after they were converted by the gospel, literally went all over Europe reconnecting it with the gospel. Chapter 7 of Ezra is a hinge point in the history of God's people. Out of the seed bed of a pagan court, God raised up a “scribe,” who would literally shape Judaism in ways that reach all the way to the coming of Jesus. The story of his formation and mission are what we will talk about on Sunday. It is as unlikely as it is compelling. And the lesson learned here echoes down through history; and anywhere we see God's people take on a real Christian identity, you can be sure it has deep roots in a reformer, scribe, and priest named Ezra. Interested? I hope so! Join us Sunday at St. Patrick. I encourage you, come an hour or so before worship, drop off the chill'en in Sunday School, grab a cup of good coffee (God's most noble bean) and then come to our Inquirer's Class to learn more about St. Patrick. Or join Josh as he opens up more of this period of the Bible that we are in, known as the Post Exilic Period. Blessings, Jim

Formed for Mission Thomas Cahill wrote a series of books called, “The Hinges of History.” He calls these different points in human history this because they are places in the drama of human history where what happened­­––usually orchestrated by unlikely people in unlikely places––affected the history we know today. In other words, he could talk about, How the Irish Saved Civilization. Talk about unlikely! Patrick was an illiterate priest. At least, in his day he missed much training for the priesthood as he had been taken captive by the Celts, a totally pagan tribe in Ireland. And then this group, after they were converted by the gospel, literally went all over Europe reconnecting it with the gospel. Chapter 7 of Ezra is a hinge point in the history of God's people. Out of the seed bed of a pagan court, God raised up a “scribe,” who would literally shape Judaism in ways that reach all the way to the coming of Jesus. The story of his formation and mission are what we will talk about on Sunday. It is as unlikely as it is compelling. And the lesson learned here echoes down through history; and anywhere we see God's people take on a real Christian identity, you can be sure it has deep roots in a reformer, scribe, and priest named Ezra. Interested? I hope so! Join us Sunday at St. Patrick. I encourage you, come an hour or so before worship, drop off the chill'en in Sunday School, grab a cup of good coffee (God's most noble bean) and then come to our Inquirer's Class to learn more about St. Patrick. Or join Josh as he opens up more of this period of the Bible that we are in, known as the Post Exilic Period. Blessings, Jim

In Episode 15 of Season 2, Drew and Mick continue the exploration of themes from church history, looking at the mid-4th century through the European reformation. Connect with us at ideologypc@gmail.com Resources referenced: - How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill - The Lost History of Christianity by Philip Jenkins

Transcript: Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to the Kingdom Perspective. How should we respond to the cultural chaos we see all around? We should learn from earlier Christians, such as St. Patrick, and the churches that originated from him. When European civilization was overwhelmed by barbarian hordes, the recently converted Celtic tribes preserved, and then eventually reestablished, Christianity throughout the continent. In the words of Thomas Cahill, “the Irish…saved civilization” (see How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill). Most basically, they did this by starting and nurturing churches—essentially monastic-type communities that cared for every aspect of life. Jesus's Lordship redeems all of life, and they put this truth into practice. These Irish monasteries were different from the Roman ones. As one writer put it: “The…monasteries [in Roman Christianity] were organized to protest against and escape from the materialism of the Roman world and the corruption of the church; the Celtic monasteries organized to penetrate the pagan world and extend the church.” (see The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George Hunter). These Celtic Christian communities were not an escape from the “public square”, but a mission to it. Often these monasteries were set up at the gates of ancient cities, in order to minister the gospel to these cities. They were, in effect, a “new city” shining as a light within an existing city. For us, this means the redemptive community of the church must become all the more essential. How can we live together as a distinctively new society amid our existing society that is so full of fear and division? How can we love and care for one another, practically, in such a way that the watching world sees the truth of the gospel through our shared life in the church? All of these are very good question, and indeed… …something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” ~ 1 Peter 2:9-12 (ESV)

"Men reverently doffed their hats; women wept and knelt before the pictures, and some even crawled like penitents through the show." Jesus, Illustrated: Tissot’s New Testament" by Ken Johnson In this episode, Rachel is joined by Shane Jenkins, who was previously on our Risking Enchantment episode 'Time and T.S. Eliot: Modern and Eternal Poetry'. In this episode they discuss the life and work of painter James Tissot. Once famous for his paintings of materialistic extravagance, Tissot had a profound and dramatic conversion in the middle of his life, after which he dedicated his life to chronicling the whole of the life of Christ through painting. In the episode Shane and Rachel discuss the various elements of his work that particularly interested him, and also offer a counterpoint to his work in the work of Gustave Dore. Also discussed is the need for art to accompany the Bible's words, and the newly published Word on Fire Bible. We would like to take this time to thank you for listening to Risking Enchantment this year and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Music: Ashton Manor by Kevin MacLeod Hosts: Rachel Sherlock, Shane Jenkins Follow me on social media: @seekingwatson Follow the podcast on Instagram: @riskingenchantmentpodcast Find out more at www.rachelsherlock.com Sign up for our email list at www.rachelsherlock.com/podcast   Works Mentioned: Shane's blog article on Tissot and the link to his Slideshow of Tissot's paintings: 'James Tissot's "Life of Christ": The Complete Online Gallery and Introduction', In Praise of Follies by Shane Jenkins "The risqué artist who found God" The Catholic Herald by Laura Freeman "Jesus, Illustrated: Tissot’s New Testament" The New York Times by Ken Johnson The Blind Leading the Blind by Tissot Maltreatments in the House Caiaphus by Tissot Behold the Man, Ecce Homo by Tissot Let Him be Crucified by Tissot What Our Lord Saw from the Cross by Tissot The Annunciation by Tissot Jesus Ministered to by Angels by Tissot The Snow Queen by Vladyslav Yerko Jesus Carried up to a Pinnacle of the Temple by Tissot The Grotto of the Agony by Tissot Christ Retreats to the Mountain at Night by Tissot Inner Voices (Christ Comforting the Wanderers) by Tissot A Wild Ride Through the Night by Walter Moers '“From the Smallest Fragment”: The Archaeology of the Doré Bible' Nineteenth Century Art Worldwide by Sarah C. Schaefer Word on Fire Bible (Volume 1) The Gospel   What We're Enjoying at the Moment: Shane: How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill Rachel: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (audiobook read by Richard Armitage)

This month's special episode concerning inner, personal experiences in Celtic Spirituality is an interview with my aunt, Dr. Patricia Shea. She is Professor Emeritus of Education, and holds an MA in Religious Studies. Currently, she is a life coach, faciliator, and spiritual director. Patricia was also a Catholic nun in the Order of the School Sisters of Notre Dame for many years. At this stage of her life, however, she considers herself a Celtic Crone. What Patricia will be sharing in this interview is an integration of what she has learned from others within the area of Celtic Spirituality, combined with her own personal perspectives based upon her life experiences. This is not an academic discussion, but more a space for Patricia to share her own insights about her spiritual path, including her views about religion, and mysticism as well. We discuss what Celtic Spirituality is, the Celtic Wheel and how this is attuned to the Earth, the Winter Solstice, and even some opportunities a worldwide pandemic can offer to help us all explore deeper questions about life. Wishing you all a Happy Solstice!EPISODE REFERENCES - SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHYCahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization. 1995  Conway, D.J. & Lisa Hung. A Guide to the Celtic Dragon Tarot.  2011Freedman, Mara.  Kindling the Celtic Spirit, Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life throughout the Seasons. 2001. Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Through the Seasons: Freeman, Mara: 9780062516855: Amazon.com: Books~www.chalicecentre.net~Grail Alchemy, Initiation in the Celtic Mystery Tradition. 2014Greer, John Michael. The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth. 2006 The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth: Greer, John Michael, Carr-Gomm, Philip: 9781578633548: Amazon.com: BooksHamilton, Claire. The Celtic Book of Seasonal Mediations. 2003  ~Maiden, Mother, Crone; Voices of the Goddess. 2005MacEown, Frank. The Celtic Way of Seeing: Mediations on the Irish Spirit Wheel. 2007  ~The Spiral of Memory and Belonging, A Celtic Path of Soul and Kinship. 2004                                      Matthews, Caitlin. The Celtic Tradition. 1995  The Way of - The Celtic Tradition: Matthews, Caitlin: 9780007154333: Amazon.com: Books~The Celtic Spirit, Daily Meditations for the Turning Year. 1999~The Celtic Wisdom Tarot. 1999~Celtic Visions. 2013~Psychic Shield, The Personal Handbook of Psychic Protection. 2006~Singing the Soul Back Home, Shamanic Wisdom for Every Day. 2018Matthews, John. The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld.  2004.  ~Celtic Totem Animals: Meet your animal helpers on your own shamanic journey.  2002Matthews, John and Caitlin Matthews. Walkers Between the Worlds,  2003. Walkers Between the Worlds: The Western Mysteries from Shaman to Magus: Matthews, Caitlín, Matthews, John: 9780892810918: Amazon.com: BooksMomma White Cougar. The Sacred Wheel.  Published by publishmybookonkindle.comMonaghan, Patricia. The Goddess Path.  1999Newell, Phillip. Listening to the Heartbeat of God.: A Celtic Spirituality. 1997~A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul . 2012 A New Harmony: The Spirit, the Earth, and the Human Soul: Newell, J. Philip: 8589901111111: Amazon.com: Books~Celtic Prayers from Iona. 1997~Celtic Benediction: Morning and Night Prayer. 2000O’Donohue, John. Anam Cara, Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World. 1997 Anam Cara: A Book Of Celtic Wisdom: John O'Donohue: 9780060929435: Amazon.com: Books~Beauty, the Invisible Embrace. 2004~Eternal Echoes, Exploring Our Yearning to Belong. 1999~To Bless the Space Between Us, A Book of Blessings. 2008  ~Wisdom from the Celtic World. 9 CD’s from Sounds TrueTaylor, Joules. The Book of Celtic Symbols, Symbols, Stories & Blessings for Everyday Living.  2007  The Book of Celtic Symbols: Symbols, stories, and blessings for everyday living: Taylor, Joules: 9781782498247: Amazon.com: Books~Celtic Messages, Book and 52 cards for affirmation and divination.  2007  

Idaho Public Television host Marcia Franklin talks with Thomas Cahill, the former director of religious publishing at Doubleday and the author of The Hinges of History, a seven-volume series that examines the transitional moments in Western civilization. They discuss several of the volumes, including How the Irish Saved Civilization, The Gift of the Jews, Why the Greeks Matter and The World Before and After Jesus, as well as the commonalities we have with ancient civilizations. Don't forget to subscribe, and visit the Dialogue website for more conversations that matter!  Originally Aired: 12/29/2005 The interview is part of Dialogue’s series, "Conversations from the Sun Valley Writers' Conference," and was taped at the 2005 conference. Since 1995, the conference has been bringing together some of the world’s most well-known and illuminating authors to discuss literature and life. This was the first year Marcia Franklin interviewed speakers there.

We consider more of what the catechism says about the 1st commandment, remember Randy Storms, Hero You Never Heard Of and consider Thomas Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization.

“There’s nothing to suggest just because we are hit with this pause button that automatically things will come apart.” – Dr. Yun In the current climate, there is a lot of misinformation and uncertainty in the marketplace. In this episode, Brian interviews NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun to get an update on the ongoing effects of the Coronavirus on the economy and housing. Topics discussed include why home prices are remaining steady, how agents are navigating the process and completing transactions, why real estate provides a hedge against inflation and why the house is still a valuable asset in high demand.   READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT   YOU WILL LEARN: What the latest statistics and data reveal about home sales and consumer behaviors. If there will be a Spring homebuying season. Where the home market will finish the year.   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: NAR Flash Survey: Economic Pulse March 2020 Existing Home Sales Episode 201, This Too Shall Pass – an Interview with Dr. Lawrence Yun “The Complete Story of Civilization,” by Will Durant “How the Irish Saved Civilization,” by Thomas Cahill   INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “I think the first couple of weeks, there was a degree of shock factor.” – Dr. Yun “What I am seeing in recent weeks, the past couple of weeks, is that buyers are slowly coming back to the market. They're a little disappointed on the lack of inventory, but 70 percent of the workforce with secure employment they're looking at historically low mortgage rates and they're just looking for the right home that meets their needs.” – Dr. Yun “I think people would be surprised to see how much activity is actually going on in the market in real world terms.” – Brian Buffini “Trying to purchase a home and get the deal done is far safer than visiting grocery stores.” – Dr. Yun “When we survey potential buyers and potential sellers, they are indicating that they are not out of the market, but simply delaying the entry point. They just want an all-clear signal from the Governor before reentering the market.” – Dr. Yun “There’s no panic among home sellers.” – Dr. Yun “Buyers are acting normal; sellers are acting normal.” – Dr. Yun “There is still a great desire for people to buy, for people to sell and for people to own a home.” – Brian Buffini “I anticipate, for the year as a whole in 2020, the sales activity will be down about 10 percent to 15 percent.” – Dr. Yun “I think that home prices will not decline because of the inventory shortage that we have. There is no expectation by the buyers for any big discount.” – Dr. Yun “Going into 2021, we have all this pent-up demand. I think the sales will increase about 15 percent and the price is rising 3 to 5 percent.” – Dr. Yun “We have the political landscape, we have the media landscape and then we have some data.”  – Brian Buffini “If we end up 2020 and we’ve lost 10 to 15 percent that would be remarkable and it would be fantastic and very acceptable for a bump in a year.”  – Brian Buffini “For the current nationwide housing situation, we had a housing shortage before the pandemic and we have even acute shortage today because of not enough listings.” – Dr. Yun “This is an adversity. You go through the adversity but come out at the end, the other side, to say ‘I have more knowledge, I have more relationships built up’ and that would be a very good starting point for the upturn that I anticipate will be happening later in the year.”  – Dr. Yun “Positive attitude brings positive action.” – Dr. Yun   https://www.TheBrianBuffiniShow.com http://www.brianbuffini.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brian_buffini Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Theme Music:  “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave

Transcript: Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of the Kingdom Perspective. What must we, as the church, do in response to the coronavirus? We must learn from Christians that have gone before us, such as St. Patrick and the Celtic Christians that followed and originated from him. When European civilization was overwhelmed by the barbarian hordes, the recently converted Celtic Christians preserved, and then eventually reestablished Christianity throughout the continent. In the words of author Thomas Cahill “the Irish…saved civilization” (see How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill). Most basically, they did this by starting and nurturing gospel communities (i.e. churches). These churches were not what we tend to think of today as churches, but were essentially monastic-type communities that cared for every aspect of life. They believed that the lordship of Jesus redeems all of life, and they put this truth into practice. However, these “monastic communities” were significantly different from much of what developed in Roman Christianity. As one writer put it: “The…monasteries [in Roman Christianity] were organized to protest against and escape from the materialism of the Roman world and the corruption of the church; the Celtic monasteries organized to penetrate the pagan world and extend the church?” (see The Celtic Way of Evangelism by George Hunter) These Celtic communities were not an escape from “Main Street” or the “public square”, but a mission to “Main Street” and the “public square”. Often these monasteries were set up at the gates of the ancient cities, in order to minister the gospel to these cities. They were, in effect, a “new city” within an existing city—a new society “in but not of” the existing society. For us, this means the redemptive community of the church must become all the more critical. How can we be and live like a distinctively new society in the midst of our existing society that is full of fear? How can we love and care for one another, practically, especially in times of crisis, in such a way that the watching world sees the truth of the gospel on display in each of our communities, through each of our churches? Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective. We encourage you to continue to give regularly to support the work of the church. All the more in the face of growing needs in our community, we encourage you to give above and beyond your regular giving, by contributing to the church's Benevolence Fund. The Benevolence Fund is used in two main ways – 1) to help those with material needs within our church, and 2) to help those with need in the broader Upper Valley Community. For your convenience here are the links to giving online: Regular Giving to CRC The Benevolence Fund at CRC You may also give by mailing your gifts to Christ Redeemer Church, PO Box 5523, Hanover, NH 03755. To learn more about CRC's charitable work and financial giving policy, please visit us at: http://christredeemerchurch.org/home/resources/financial-contribution/

Episode 4: St. Patrick - Show Notes Brief Chronology (most dates are approximate): • 390s - Birth of Patrick • 397-398 - Augustine writes his Confessions • 400-410s - Patrick is kidnapped, sold into slavery in Ireland, and escapes after 6 years • 406 - Rhine River freezes and barbarians invade Gaul • 410 - Goths sack Rome • 431 - Mission of Palladius to Ireland (possibly followed by or related to Patrick's mission) • 449 - Vortigern invites Angles and Saxons to Britain as mercenaries (according to Bede) • 461 - Death of Patrick (traditionally March 17) (See the "Time Line" included as an appendix in St. Patrick of Ireland by Philip Freeman, which gives a more extensive chronology of the fall of Rome and events in Patrick's lifetime.) Summary: When Patrick was born in the late 4th century, his native land of southern Britain was still a Roman province, but the western Roman Empire was crumbling fast. No one actually knows where Patrick’s family estate or the nearby village Bennavem Taburniae that he mentions was, except that it must have been close to the sea in western Britain. In his Confessio, Patrick says his father was a deacon in the Church named Calpornius and that his grandfather Potitus was a priest. Patrick’s name (really Patricius) means “Patrician” - as in upper class, noble. (Freeman, Ch. 1) St. Patrick left behind two letters in Latin, but in everyday life he may have spoken a lost Celtic language similar to modern Welsh. His medieval biographer Muirchú records him saying a possibly Old British word, "Mudebroth!", perhaps meaning "By God's judgment!" once when he was irritated (see Freeman, Ch. 1). Like St. Augustine, Patrick was not one of those saints who got off to a great start. He alludes to a great sin from his teenage years that he is always very vague about and that comes back to cause controversy for him later. He admits that he does not take religion seriously in his youth. That changes when Patrick gets captured by Irish raiders near his home sometime in the early 400s. There were probably thousands of people (including many Christians) taken captive in this period of Roman decline and sold to work on farms in Ireland. (Freeman, Ch.2) After Patrick was enslaved, he was sold and put to work watching sheep, perhaps in northwestern Ireland, which was lonely and physically miserable work since it meant spending lots of time outside in the cold and rain. Cold and alone, Patrick started to rediscover his Christian faith, praying night and day. Finally, he hears a voice telling him it is time to escape. Trusting in God, he just walks away one day and heads for the faraway eastern coast. He sails with a crew of pagans to either Britain or (possibly) Gaul. In any case, the crew unexpectedly ends up someplace so bleak that he describes it as a “desert” and they almost starve to death. One sensational theory is that it might be Gaul in the year 407, when the barbarians flood the western empire. (Cahill p. 104). But it seems just as likely, if not more so, that they found themselves on an unfamiliar shoreline in Britain far from their intended port due to some accident (See Freeman, Ch. 3). The pagans challenge Patrick to make his God save them, so Patrick prays and a herd of pigs crosses their path. Eventually Patrick returned to his family in Britain, but as time passes he dreams that he is being called back to Ireland. He dreams that someone named Victoricus (a fellow captive?) comes with letters for him, one of which is inscribed "voice of the Irish." The letters cry out for him to return to Ireland. No one knows exactly when Patrick finds his way back to Ireland as a missionary. Traditionally the year is 432. The reason this date is given, according to Thomas O’Loughlin, is that it puts Patrick one year after the supposedly short-lived mission of a bishop named Palladius, who was sent to the Irish by Pope Celestine in 431. Phillip Freeman speculates that maybe Patrick trained as a priest in Gaul and there, because he knew the Irish language, was attached to Palladius's mission. Some also speculate that Patrick may have know St. Germanus of Auxerre, who travelled from Gaul to combat the Pelagian heresy in Britain. We just don’t know, but these theories do tie everything together nicely. St. Bede the Venerable (writing in the early 8th century) does not mention Patrick. Instead, he gives credit to Palladius for being the first bishop of Ireland (Bede, I.13). Miurchú (writing in the late 7th century) explains that Palladius was sent to evangelize Ireland but dies early without accomplishing much, with the result that Patrick is really the one who deserves to be remembered as converting Ireland. Both writers unfortunately have axes to grind. Bede may have wanted to emphasize the role of Rome and may have not really appreciated the contribution at the time of the humble Briton, Patrick. However, Muirchú also has an agenda in emphasizing Patrick since it helped build up the authority of Armagh's claim to be leading bishopric of Ireland. Patrick's own account, in his Confessio, is more vague. He does not describe how he evangelizes Ireland in detail, except to say that he was a bishop and baptizes thousands of people. It is likely he had a long and difficult ministry to the many Christian slaves spread across northern Ireland, along with a steady stream of converts. At some point some of his flock were kidnapped by a British ruler named Coroticus, prompting Patrick to condemn Coroticus in one of the letters that has been preserved. It is possible this letter caused a backlash against Patrick, prompting him to write the second letter, the Confessio. (See Freeman, Ch. 11 and 12). In that document he alludes to accusations against himself several times and the mysterious sin from his youth. History does not record how the disputes ended, but Muirchú tells us that according to legend when Coroticus would not listen to Patrick, God transformed Coroticus into a fox. According to one tradition, Patrick died in 461. He is remembered as bishop of Armagh. His feast day is March 17. Sources: • Patrick: The Man and His Works, ed. by Thomas O'Loughlin (Triangle, SPCK 1999) - Contains the "Confessio" and "Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus," along with extensive notes and bibliography. • "The Life of Patrick" by Muirchú, in Celtic Spirituality, ed. by Oliver Davies and Thomas O'Loughlin (Paulist Press, 1999) - Part of the Classics of Western Spirituality. It contains all of the key primary sources related to St. Patrick and many other sources related to the early centuries of Christianity in Ireland and Britain. • St. Patrick of Ireland by Philip Freeman (Simon & Schuster, 2001) - Highly recommended. • How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill (Nan A. Telese / Doubleday, 1995) • The Ecclesiastical History of the English People by Bede, trans. by Leo Sherley-Price (Penguin Putnam, 1990 revised edition) - Book I, Ch. 13 mentions Palladius briefly. The notes by D.H. Farmer explain that Bede bases his view on Prosper of Aquitaine. Children's Books • Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola (Holiday House, 1992) - This was our favorite children's book about St. Patrick. • Paddy and the Wolves by Steve Nagel and Jen Norton (Peanut Butter & Grace, 2017) - Imaginative recent book, but does not focus on the historical Patrick. • The Story of St. Patrick: Irish Myths & Legends in a Nutshell, Book 3 by Ann Caroll and Derry Dillon (Poolberg Press, 2016) - A little more accurate, but also a little darker. Maybe better for older kids. • The Wolf and the Shield: An Adventure with St. Patrick (Friends with the Saints) by Sherry Weaver Smith (Pauline Books and Media, 2016) *Note on the Children's Books: As noted in the episode, some of these books are not good introductions to the history, but they are still enjoyable. Film • St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland (Janson Media, 2008) - This documentary is available on Amazon Prime. It discusses Patrick's possible debate and dialogue with Druidism in ancient Ireland, as we mention in the episode. There was quite a bit more from this film that we did not get to that is also worth thinking about, such as Patrick's possible connection to the Croagh Patrick. Intro Music Credit: *Special Thank You to Paul Spring for allowing us to use his song "Itasca" from the album Borderline EP (2014)! Image Credit: * Detail from Irish manuscript from 2nd half of 8th century or 1st half of 9th century, depicting the evangelist Luke, from the British Library, Additional 40618 f. 21v Luke, available online at http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/ILLUMIN.ASP?Size=mid&IllID=1567

If it wasn't for America, the traditional music of Ireland might no longer exist. America saved Irish music. That's the premise behind my 2014 album I recorded with Jamie Haeuser, How America Saved Irish Music. I expected more of a backlash when I released the album title that was a parody of the book How the Irish Saved Civilization. I only got one nasty email. I started immersing myself in Irish music in 1999. I learned a lot about Irish culture and music over the years. The Irish were forced out of Ireland. Their music traveled around the globe. It integrated with other cultures. Eventually, it found its way home. When it did, it had changed. Blossomed and grew, yes. But changed as well We all know that the jigs and reels are the backbone of Irish tunes. But underneath it, I heard something fascinating. It was the similarities between Irish and American rhythm. The guitar was the clue. American guitarists changed music around the world. Listen to any guitarist playing Irish music and you will hear American rock-n-roll as its rhythmic backbone. Irish guitar is rock-n-roll guitar underneath a reel and a jig. This makes a little more sense when you think of Irish songs like "Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye". That's the Irish version of the American Civil War song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home". The Irish took a great American melody and gave it their own twist. In a sense, How America Saved Irish Music is nothing new. Jamie Haeuser and I fused American rhythm, jazz, and blues to Irish immigration songs to create our own exploration of the Irish musical diaspora. You'll hear the entire album this episode of the podcast, plus an interview with Jamie Haeuser. Welcome to the Pub Songs Podcast, the virtual Public House for Celts and geeks to share music and celebrate our differences. We're making the world a happier place through conversation, education, and kindness.  If you have comments and want to chat in the pub, email me. Use #PubSongs when talking about this show. Cead mile failte! PubSong.net. WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAY? 1:26 A Stor Mo Chroi 3:45 Star of the County Down 7:30 Gypsy Rover 10:50 Men of New Basin Canal 14:04 Bridget's Prayer 16:12 Ais Vis Lo Lop 19:04 Black Velvet Band 22:38 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 25:22 Streets of Laredo/Bard of Armagh 28:41 Whiskey, You're the Devil 31:08 Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot 34:11 Mrs. McGraw 37:20 Leaving of Liverpool 40:25 Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye 44:23 PUB CHAT I want your feedback. What are you doing today while listening to the Pub Songs Podcast? What do you remember most from one of my recent shows? Or from another show you've seen? Send a written comment along with any pictures to marc@marcgunn.com. Use the hashtag #pubsongs in the subject of your email. Or post a comment, along with your review, on Apple Podcasts. grizztopher80 posted a picture on Instagram: "Trying to enjoy the weather despite the pollen." How have I helped you?  How have I inspired you? 45:15 NEWS If you ever thought about playing the autoharp, I have an Autoharp Tutorial that is now on YouTube. 45:29 COMMENTARY: How America Saved Irish Music Marc Gunn plays autoharp and sings. Jamie Haeuser plays bodhran and sings. Violin and manolin by Sick. Katie Haeuser provides background vocals. The albums was recorded by T.J. Barends at Sir-Reel Studios. The Gunns & Drums logo and graphic design were by Charles Davis. Back cover photo by Katie Haeuser at the Irish Hunger Memorial in New York City. 53:26 A Stor Mo Chroi (Brian O'Higgins) 56:07 Star of the County Down (traditional) 1:00:40 Gypsy Rover (Leo Maguire) 1:06:15 Men of New Basin Canal (Jamie Haeuser and Marc Gunn) 1:09:22 INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE HAEUSER 1:29:00 Bridget's Prayer (Jamie Haeuser and Marc Gunn) 1:31:03 Ais Vis Lo Lop (traditional) 1:34:07 Black Velvet Band (traditional) 1:39:18 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler) 1:43:08 Streets of Laredo/Bard of Armagh (traditional) 1:47:23 Whiskey, You're the Devil (traditional) 1:50:46 Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot (traditional) 1:55:38 Mrs. McGraw (traditional) 1:58:40 Leaving of Liverpool (traditional) 2:02:51 Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye (traditional) 2:07:58 UPCOMING SHOWS Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at 11 am Celtfather Live Exclusive on Thurs, February 21. Tickets are $15 per person or free for Heroic Patrons. Brennan's Irish Pub on Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 PM. Cover charge. Join me at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama on March 17 with Kilted Kings for a St Patrick's Day celebration on the beach. The Pub Songs Podcast is listener-supported. Your generous pledge of as little as $1 or more per month allows me to create music and podcasts for your enjoyment. Special thanks to my new patrons: If you enjoy visiting the pub, please join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. You’ll get episodes before regular listeners, free albums, podcasts,  videos and lots more. Go to marcgunn.net to join the Gunn Runners today. 2:10:07 "The Parting Glass" by The Selkie Girls from Parting Glass If you enjoy the music in this show, support the artists. Buy their music and merch. Follow them on Spotify. Let them know how much you love what they are doing. And tell a friend. Pub Songs Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or to my website where you can join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon and support my music and this podcast. I’ll also email regular updates of new videos, podcasts, stories behind the songs, plus 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub!  www.pubsong.net.

Amanda and Jenn discuss cozy reads, morally complicated characters, small-town stories, and more in this week's episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, The Plotters by Un-su Kim, and At the Wolf’s Table by Rosella Postorino. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.   Feedback Maid by Stephanie Land (rec'd by Jessica from Insiders) Eat Yourself Calm by Gill Paul (rec'd by Morgan)   Questions 1. It’s almost my brother’s birthday. He’s finishing up the Dune series and he really likes the dynamic of a villain who has to do good in order to ultimately do evil. He’s looking for more books with this concept or vice versa (good guy doing bad to do good). I’m a former bookseller myself, but I’ve got nothing. He’s also a linguist, if that helps. I realize this is super specific, but I’m really hoping you guys can help me be the best sister for his birthday. Please no YA or romance. I’ve linked his goodreads so you can see what he normally reads. Thank you! -Emma   2. Hi! I’m looking for literary fiction audiobooks that are so engrossing they’ll help me forget, say, that I’m doing household chores or facing a stressful day at work. The books that have fit this bill for me in the past are: The Nix, The Changeling, The Miniaturist, Swing Time, The Circle, and Rebecca. Preferences: Under 12 hours No graphic sex scenes Light to no cursing Thank you for your podcast!! -Veronica   3. I really love small town stories and I have been searching for one to really grab my attention. I prefer something darker and more serious in tone. I love books like Beartown or J.K. Rowling's A Casual Vacancy where a close knit community gets unraveled by an event. I prefer books that don't focus on a single character, but rather explore relationships and different perspectives within a small community. I have Little Fires Everywhere on my TBR but I would love more recommendations for small town stories. -Marija   4. Hi, I've discovered that I have a curious but extremely distinct affinity for non-fiction books that cover broad history through a narrow lens. I feel like I'm struggling to describe exactly what type of books I mean, but when you hear some titles, you'll get it. Examples that I've loved in the past are Tom Standage's "History of the World in 6 glasses" and "An Edible History of Humanity"; "At Home" by Bill Bryson; "Consider the Fork" by Bee Wilson, and most works by Mary Roach and Simon Garfield. I love love love reading about history, but I've never been a huge fan of biography/autobiography or books that dive too deep into a single event. I guess I love the big picture/global view (most bang for my buck, maybe?), but with a fun and unique thread tying history together in a way I had never considered before. Looking forward to your suggestions! Thanks so much! -Kelly   5. Hi! I'm a big fan of your podcast and have had submitted questions before, your recommendations are always great. I am a middle school teacher and I have recently started a Dungeons and Dragons club at my school, and the response has been overwhelming. I expected 8-10 kids to sign up but I actually had over 30! As we begin to play D&D and other RPGs, I'd love to be able to have an "inspiration library" stocked with fantasy/adventure books. Obviously, I need titles from Tolkien, Terry Pratchett, and JK Rowling but I would love to include books with strong female and minority protagonists. I want my new club to be inclusive to everyone and my goal is to provide something for everyone. You always say to mention if you're under time constraints so while I hope the club lasts for a long while, I'd like to start compiling my library soon. Any recommendations you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks so much! -Matt 6. A peculiar request: I am especially fond of books where humans are aided by talking cats. Neil Gaiman's Coraline is a good example, as are many of the Tortall books by Tamora Pierce. I would love suggestions for other books with human-cat partnerships. Thank you! -Crazy Cat Lady   7. Cozy nothings? It could be the weather or just the year, but I've been enjoying "nothing of contention happens" books recently. My go to series for this is The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun which is set in a fictional small town and focuses primarily on the day to day life of people there (technically it's a cozy mystery, but the mystery is pretty minimal). Other examples would be Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Agatha Christie (before the murder kicks in) and the Mitford series. Contemporary or classical, adult lit series preferred, and bonus points if they're on audio. -Terry   Books Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James Insurrecto by Gina Apostol VE Schwab’s Shades of Magic series (A Darker Shade of Magic) The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson (tw: institutionalized homophobia, torture) The Wanderers by Meg Howrey Burial Rites by Hannah Kent Into the Water by Paula Hawkins The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill Pandemic by Sonia Shah Dactyl Hill Squad by Daniel José Older The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste Sabriel by Garth Nix 100 Books with Cats post Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris Flavia De Luce series by Alan Bradley (#1: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie) Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney (rec’d by Jeff)

Shawn Boonstra is the Speaker/Director for Voice of Prophecy and a beloved evangelist and friend of the LEAD Podcast. We are thrilled to have him on this week to talk about preaching to the secular mind and the relevance of the Advent Message.For more information about The LEAD Podcast and to subscribe to our email list, head to www.theleadpodcast.com. How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill (https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Saved-Civilization-Hinges-History-ebook/dp/B003I8VBF4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538351170&sr=8-1&keywords=Thomas+Cahill+Irish&dpID=51MwPASrdJL&preST=_SY445_QL70_&dpSrc=srch) Plutarch's Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans (https://www.amazon.com/Plutarchs-Lives-Noble-Greeks-Romans/dp/1717599206/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1538351221&sr=8-2&keywords=lives+of+noble+greeks+and+romans&dpID=51q4LX2bIVL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch) DiscoveryCenters.com Twitter: @ryan180becker, @leadsuE-mail: leadsupodcast@gmail.com Music: www.hooksounds.com

In this episode, Thin Places Podcast host, Mindie Burgoyne explores several questions concerning how we define “thin” places or mystical places. The basic definition she ascribes is, “thin places are places where the veil between this world and the eternal world is thin.” SEGMENT 1- Questions on thin places:   What are thin places – a place where the veil between this world and the otherworld is thin. Are places made thin by us or are they inherently thin? How do identify a thin place? What caused the ancients to choose certain places that still vibrate today? Why Ireland – why are there so many thin places there? In an effort to further explain the qualities of thin places, Mindie shares the story of The Journey of St. Gobnait and “places of resurrection” Links to posts about St. Gobnait and places of resurrection: St. Gobnait: Patron of Ballyvourney, County Cork Inis Oírr – Aran Islands Little Sister St. Gobnait’s Holy Well – Ballyvourney   SEGMENT 2 – GUEST INTERVIEW Ruth O’Hagan discusses the concept of thin places in Ireland Ruth is from County Clare. She works in family psychology and teaches in university masters and doctorate programs on the supervision and training of therapists and clinicians. Her background is deeply spiritual, and she comes from a long line of natural healers.   SEGMENT 3 – Mindie recommends   Two books: How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill In the House of Memory by Steve Rabey (out of print) Amazon, AbeBooks or Book Depository   SEGMENT 4 - CONCLUDE   Thank you for listening to the Thin Places Travel Podcast. If you have questions, thoughts, travel stories or sites you’d like us to feature on this podcast, you can find us on the web at thinplacespodcast.com. Just click the contact link. You can also find me on twitter at @travelhags and on Facebook at facebook.com/thinplaces. If you’d like more information on our tours, you can visit our website at thinplacestour.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, please give us quick rating and review on iTunes – under Thin Places Travel Podcast., and consider subscribing,   ADDITIONAL LINKS OF INTEREST   Inis Caeltra – Holy Island in County Clare http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/places/holy_island1.htm Holy Island Boat Trips https://www.holyisland.ie/ Clarevirtually Website on travel in East Clare http://clarevirtually.ie/ National Geographic Traveler – The Curse of Inis Caeltra http://www.natgeotraveller.co.uk/destinations/europe/ireland/ireland-the-curse-of-inis-cealtra/

Thomas Cahill argues in his best-selling book How the Irish Saved Civilization that Ireland played a critical role in Europe's evolution from the classical age of Rome to the medieval era. Is his narrative correct? Without Ireland, he argues, the transition could not have taken place. Not only did Irish monks and scribes maintain the very record of Western civilization -- copying manuscripts of Greek and Latin writers, both pagan and Christian, while libraries and learning on the continent were forever lost -- they brought their uniquely Irish world-view to the task. Let's discuss how Ireland gave more to the modern world than Guinness and Bono.   TO HELP OUT THE SHOW Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher

Saint Patrick is one of the most courageous missionaries of Christian history. Although revelers mark his day with debauchery and drunkenness, he pursued holiness and risked his life to preach to the Irish barbarians. He held out to the ancient Irish tribes a promise of protection from their gods and demons, if only they would Read more about Podcast 76: The Real St. Patrick (Sean Finnegan)[…]

“I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.” — Arthur Rubinstein Valentine’s Day is the holiday of love. In honor of the meaning of the day, Brian Buffini offers timeless tips to help you love the life you live. Many of us become so caught up in the daily grind that we lose perspective and don’t become engaged in our lives or the present. In this episode, Brian delves into the meanings of love and life and outlines three tips to help people gain perspective, re-engage with their lives and savor the present. You’ll learn how to maintain perspective in changing times and be present in your daily life. You work hard to create the life you want; this episode will inspire you to love and enjoy it.   Inspirational quotes from today’s interview: “Love the life you live and live the life you love.” — Bob Marley “In the recent years, I’ve come to love my life more than I ever have in my entire life.” — Brian Buffini “How to love your life is your own responsibility.” — Brian Buffini “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” — Wayne Dyer “Everywhere you go, be there.” — Brian Buffini “The greatest gift you can give another human being is your full attention.” — Brian Buffini “If it’s worthy of my time, it’s worthy of my total attention.” — Brian Buffini “You can’t change the past and you can’t control the future. All we have is the present.” — Brian Buffini “When people feel out of control, they get out of control.” — Brian Buffini “Today me will live in the moment, unless it’s unpleasant. In which case, me will eat a cookie.” — Cookie Monster “Focus on your quality of lifestyle.” — Brian Buffini “Drink life to every last drop.” — Brian Buffini “Life is as simple as we want to make it.” — Brian Buffini “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, that’s why we call it the present.” — Babatunde Olatunji   Mentioned in this episode: How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill The Power of Full Engagement by Tony Schwartz Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson The Precious Present by Spencer Johnson   Connect with Brian Buffini http://www.brianbuffini.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini Buffini Show Insiders: http://www.thebrianbuffinishow.com/insiders Love what you heard? Share it with your friends! http://bit.ly/BrianBuffiniShow Click here to buy our Podcast theme music, “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave. http://www.broguewave.com http://www.facebook.com/broguewave  

Saint Patrick. The Book of Kells. And transcending the division between Catholics & Protestants. This special episode of the ALT podcast was recorded live in Ireland & features two guests: Kathryn Scott & Niall McNally. Kathryn Scott is a well-known songwriter & recording artist who has penned some amazing worship songs, such as "We Still Believe", "Child of God" & "Hungry (Falling on My Knees)". She & her husband, Alan, co-pastor Causeway Coast Vineyard in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, which seeks to bring healing & unity to their community & country. Niall McNally is an ecumenically-minded Catholic who communicates the Story of God both through words & images. He's passionate about technological art-forms such as Environmental Projection & has a lot of wisdom to share in how to approach art, liturgy & technology. _______________________________ SHOW NOTES: "How the Irish Saved Civilization" by Thomas Cahill http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385418493/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385418493&linkCode=as2&tag=wors07-20&linkId=P2BNPDQ4PQN53PY2 Jamie George's sermon on Saint Patrick: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sacred-broken-who-was-st./id220069761?i=337756362&mt=2 The Book of Kells app for iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-book-of-kells/id572483284?mt=8 The Secret of Kells animated film: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-secret-of-kells/id390523341 Kathryn Scott: https://twitter.com/kathrynscott https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/kathryn-scott/id3088471 Niall McNally: https://twitter.com/niallmcnally http://CastIreland.com Celtic version of ALT Logo/Artwork by Sarah Hodges https://instagram.com/s_hodges Music: - “Siram” by Tony Anderson - A few selections from The Secret of Kells soundtrack. - “We Still Believe” & “Hungry” by Kathryn Scott - “Alleluia” by Eric Whitacre for visually enhanced show notes, go to illuminate.us/ALT-ep11-Ireland

Irish Celtic music from Gan Fidel, Joe Derrane, Jesse Ferguson, Fiddlin' in th' Parlor, Bow Triplets, NUA, O'hanleigh, BOWI, Ciara Considine, The Irish Balladeers, Castlebay, Maidens IV, Sons of Malarkey, Brendan Monaghan, Brian Thomas. www.celticmusicpodcast.com If you enjoy this show, then subscribe to our Celtic Music Magazine. This is our free newsletter and your guide to the latest Celtic music and podcast news. Remember to support the artists who support this podcast: buy their CDs, download their MP3s, see their shows, and drop them an email to let them know you heard them on the Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. Remember too, when you buy through our affiliates at CD Baby, Amazon, or iTunes, you support the artists AND the podcast.   Today's show is brought to you by Celtic Invasion Vacations Experience travel like you've never done before on Marc Gunn's Celtic Invasion Vacation. You will enjoy a small, friendly group that is one-third the size of most tour groups. Smile, laugh, and sing-along as you enjoy exotic sites around the world, and make lots of wonderful, new memories. Join me in June 2015, when we explore County Donegal and the Giant's Causeway. This exciting adventure will take us to one of the most unvisited parts of Ireland where glorious secret treaures await. Subscribe to the mailing and join the invasion at celticinvasion.com   Notes: - Your guide to the Best indie Celtic music online - Thanks to the Patrons of the Podcast over on Patreon. You too can Support the podcast! A special thanks to David who offered a huge selection of great pirate songs and sea shanties for this week's episode. - September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Did you that one man in seven will be diagnosed with Prostate cancer in their lifetime? Nearly 2/3 of diagnoised cases are of many older than 65. Kilted to Kick Cancer is a non-profit organization diesgned to raise awareness about prostate cancer. The organization encourages men to don their kilts in September as a way to spark conversation about prostate cancer and encourage men to get checked. You can find out more about it http://kiltedtokickcancer.org/ - Remember to post a Celtic link every Thursday with the hashtag #CelticThursday - Books mentioned in the show: How the Irish Saved Civilization, Celtic Music: A Complete Guide, Celtic Music: The Essential Listening Companion, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Celtic Music by Fiona Ritchie - I WANT YOUR FEEDBACK: Post a comment on our Facebook fan page or call 678-CELT-POD to leave a voicemail message. That's 678-235-8763. Or just record an MP3 and send it to celticpodcast@gmail.com   This Week in Celtic Music 0:38"September Reels" by Gan Fidelfrom Gan Fidel 5:55"Paddy Reynolds' Dream/Russel's Mountain" by Joe Derranefrom Grove Lane 9:52"The Butcher Boy" by Jesse Fergusonfrom The Butcher Boy 14:31"Starry Night in Shetland" by Fiddlin' in th' Parlorfrom Slow Aire 18:21"The Blacksmith" by Bow Tripletsfrom Secret Signs 22:57Celtic Music News 24:27"Ecklunds" by NUAfrom Bold 26:37"Mike Muldowney" by O'hanleighfrom Of Irish Crossings Told 30:23"Swallowtail Set" by BOWIfrom Captain Hopper's Mutiny 33:42"Is Ar Eirinn etc" by Ciara Considinefrom Beyond the Waves 38:00Feedback 40:41"Cushy McCoy" by The Irish Balladeersfrom The Molly Maguires 42:44"The Spring of Shillelagh/The Acorn" by Castlebayfrom Tapestry II - Garden of Green 46:50"T Cup O'Scotch" by Maidens IVfrom Live Out Loud 50:00"Jack Stewart" by Sons of Malarkeyfrom Sons of Malarkey 54:00"Flicker of Hope" by Brendan Monaghanfrom Flicker of Hope 58:27"From the Highest Hill" by Brian Thomasfrom Prairie Rain The Irish & Celtic Music Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn, The Celtfather. If you enjoyed the music you heard, support the artists in this show. Buy their music. Then tell your friends to visit www.celticmusicpodcast.com

Bill Moyers interviews best-selling historian Thomas Cahill in a far ranging interview that takes viewers from the Coliseum in Rome to death row in Texas and examines what our attitudes toward cruelty can tell us about who we are as Americans. "However difficult it may be the only way you are going to gain closure is to let go of your hatred" says Cahill, who is best known for his The Hinges of History series of books, which includes the widely read How the Irish Saved Civilization. Cahill says his books ask how we became the people we are: "It's human cruelty that is evil. We're not willing to acknowledge that this is inside of us. It's there," he says. "I'm really interested in what's good about us."

Bill Moyers interviews best-selling historian Thomas Cahill in a far ranging interview that takes viewers from the Coliseum in Rome to death row in Texas and examines what our attitudes toward cruelty can tell us about who we are as Americans. "However difficult it may be the only way you are going to gain closure is to let go of your hatred" says Cahill, who is best known for his The Hinges of History series of books, which includes the widely read How the Irish Saved Civilization. Cahill says his books ask how we became the people we are: "It's human cruelty that is evil. We're not willing to acknowledge that this is inside of us. It's there," he says. "I'm really interested inwhat's good about us."

This week's episode is titled, “Patrick”Last week's episode was a brief review of Christianity's arrival in Britain. We saw how the Anglo-Saxons pressed in from the east coast where they'd been confined by what remained of the Roman army. But when the Roman's pulled out in 410, the Saxons quickly moved in to take their place, confining the Romano-British Christians to the western region of the Island. It was from that shrinking enclave of faith that a spark of faith leapt the Irish Sea to land in the dry tinder of Celtic Ireland. That spark's name was Patrick.While there's much legend surrounding Patrick's life, there's scant hard historical evidence for the details of his story.  We have little idea when or where he was born, where he lived & worked, when & where he died, & other important specifics. What we do have are incidental clues & his own records, vague as they are.The record of Christianity in Ireland prior to Patrick is sketchy. A bishop named Palladius was appointed by Pope Celestine to the island, but he didn't stay long. He left the same year Patrick arrived.Patrick was born into an affluent & religious home. His father was a deacon; his grandfather a priest. The family was likely of the Romano-British nobility & owned minor lands along the shores of western Britain. Several locations claim to be Patrick's ancestral home.  At the age of 16, he was captured by Irish slavers who regularly raided Britain's coast. He was taken back to Ireland & sold into captivity.Patrick recounts little of his 6 yrs as a slave except to say he was a shepherd or swine-herd who spent long periods tending his charges. Being a slave, he endured long periods of hunger, thirst & isolation. This trial moved him to seek God in earnest. The faith of his parents became his own.Years later, in writing what is known as his Confessio, Patrick said he believed his slavery was discipline for spiritual apathy. Not only did he attribute his own slavery as the chastening of the Lord, he said thousands of fellow Britons also suffered for the same reason.  He came to see the discipline as God's grace because it led him to God. He wrote -More and more, the love of God and the fear of Him grew in me, and my faith was increased and my spirit enlivened. So much that I prayed up to a hundred times in the day, and almost as often at night. I even remained in the wood and on the mountain to pray. And—come hail, rain, or snow—I was up before dawn to pray, and I sensed no evil nor spiritual laziness within.At 22, Patrick said he heard a supernatural Voice calling him to fast in preparation for returning home.  Not long after, the Voice spoke again: ‘Behold! Your ship is prepared.' The problem was, Patrick was 200 miles from the sea. Confident he followed the direction of God, he struck out for the coast.  When he arrived & informed the captain he was supposed to board, the captain recognized him as a runaway slave and refused. Patrick realized now his situation was precarious and looked for a place to hide. Seeing a nearby hut he began to make his way there when one of the crew shouted at him to hurry up and board. It seems the crew was short-handed & thought to use Patrick as extra a novice seaman, paying for his fare by the hard work of a lowly deck-hand.The ship set sail & 3 days later landed. Where is a bit of a mystery as Patrick is vague at this point. The best guess was northern Gaul. He says once they landed the crew wandered in a kind of wilderness for nearly a month. We do know that between 407 & 410, the Goths & Vandals ran amok across this region. Things grew desperate and the captain began to berate Patrick, mocking his trust in an all-powerful, all-loving God. Where was all that power and love now that they were in danger of starving to death? Patrick wasn't intimidated by the challenge. As we'll see, this kind of opportunity called forth from Patrick an even more determined faith. He told the captain, “Nothing is impossible for God. Turn to Him and He will send us food for our journey.” In desperation the crew obeyed. And as they prayed, a herd of pigs suddenly appeared. The sailors feasted & thanked Patrick, but they balked at embracing his faith in God.There's a break in Patrick's account at this point so we're not sure what happened next. A couple years pass and he's back home in Britain with his family. They pleaded with him to stay but he'd learned enough of the will of God to know not to make such promises. A short time later he heard the call back to Ireland. He says he had a visionary dream in which an Irishman invited him back to the land of his slavery. Patrick writes in the Confesso -His name was Victoricius, and he carried countless letters, one of which he handed over to me. I read aloud where it began: ‘The Voice of the Irish'. And as I began to read these words, I seemed to hear the voice of the same men who lived beside the forest of Foclut, which lies near the Western sea where the sun sets. They seemed to shout aloud to me as with one and the same voice: ‘Holy boy, we beg you, come back and walk once more among us.' I was utterly pierced to my heart's core so that I could read no more.Realizing God was calling him back to the Green Isle, Patrick began to prepare. He understood the call to evangelize the Irish but didn't think himself properly equipped to do so. He sought training in the form of theological study & official ordination. Since both his father & grandfather had followed this course it seemed proper for him as well.  There's some confusion at this point on where Patrick went to get his education. One biographer sends him to Rome while others say he went to northern Gaul to study under Bishop Germanus.How long Patrick spent in training is unknown but he was eventually ordained as a deacon. One notable event from this time that would later be important to his life was his confession of a youthful sin to a close friend. It was something Patrick had done about a year before the Irish raiders captured him. It troubled him ever after and moved him to confess to a friend there in Gaul. The friend told him he thought it not that important an issue to fret over and that it would not prohibit him from being used by God. The friend even assured Patrick he would one day be made a bishop. Though the sin is left unspecified to us, it would later come back to haunt him.How Patrick evangelized Ireland is an important case study because it opens to us the mind of Christian missionaries during this period. It may also help us understand the troubling religious syncretism that infected the medieval church.The native Celtic religion of Ireland when Patrick returned was dominated by a pagan priesthood called the Druids.  What we know of this Celtic religion is sketchy at best. Julius Caesar is one of our main sources from his encounters with them in his conquests of Gaul and Britain. The Romans loathed and at times feared the Druids. This was due to their near complete control over their people, a control enforced by abject terror. That terror may very well have been put in place by their being empowered by demonic spirits. Human sacrifice was a regular feature of the druidic system and they were attributed with the power to work the miraculous, often in cruel fashion.As I mentioned, there was some limited Christian presence on Ireland prior to Patrick's arrival but the church had made little headway against the domination by the Druids. Patrick's 6 year foray as a slave prepared him to know what he faced in the way of religious opposition when he returned. His plan was to confront the Druid's on their own turf. He understood the only way to make headway among the people was by freeing them from their fear of the Druids. To do that, he'd need to look to the power of God to trump any demonstrations of demonic power the Druids conjured up.This is where the stories of Patrick's life become difficult to discern the truth of. His medieval biographers take this kernel of truth and spin elaborate yarns about his confrontations with the Druids. Most of those stories are probably fictional, while a few may be based on real events. The larger lesson for us to glean is Patrick's method of evangelism.The idea had grown among theologians that pagan religions weren't so much anti-Christian as they were pre-Christian.  Drawing from the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:20, they believed that “Since the creation of the world God's invisible attributes were clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” Paul himself applied this in Athens when spoke to the philosophers on Mar's Hill. Paul was disturbed by the many idols he encountered in Athens, yet used them to evangelize the Athenians. He said, ‘I see how ultra-religious you are in every way. I even found an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god'. What you worship as unknown, I'm here to make known to you.” In Ecclesiastes, Solomon said God has written eternity on people's hearts. Patrick & those who followed after looked for how to bring the Truth of Christ to the lost by using whatever elements of their native faith they could, converting it to the Truth of Christ.Patrick and his contemporaries in no way approved of paganism or considered it an acceptable variant of the Gospel. They believed there were supernatural beings behind the idols & ideals of paganism; demons who kept people in spiritual bondage. They believed miracles and magic did occur. After all, Pharaoh's magicians used supernatural power. But à & here's the key to Patrick's methodology à the God of Moses was more powerful, & used His power to bring good while demonic power served only to promote ruin.So when Patrick arrived in Ireland and proclaimed the Gospel, the druids came out in opposition. Their hegemony over the Irish was imperiled. They thought nothing of moving swiftly to kill him. They were the law and could do what they wished. But: They found it harder than they thought. None of their plans or plots worked. It was as if a supernatural wall protected Patrick. He wrote of this time, “Daily I expect murder, fraud, or captivity. But I fear none of these things because of the promises of heaven. I have cast myself into the hands of God Almighty who rules everywhere.”While trusting himself to the protection of God, he also took practical measures to gain allies among the Irish by building amiable relationships with them. These allies kept him informed of the various plots against him.While Patrick does not himself record any specific confrontations with the druids, that's the subject of many of his biographers. A turning point in Patrick's mission came when an Irish chieftain named ‘Laoghaire' came to faith. This chieftain had a group of powerful druids who advised him but who were unable to defeat Patrick in demonstrations of supernatural power.  When a couple of those Druids fell ill, Laoghaire was convinced of the superiority of Patrick's God and message and professed faith in Christ. As was common to that culture, with his conversion, the people of His clan also came to faith. Their alliance with other clans opened the door for Patrick to bring the Gospel to them as well and soon the entire region had converted.This then was Patrick's method of evangelism as he made his way across Ireland. He confronted the Druids head on, showing the superiority of God's power, breaking their monopoly on the minds of the Irish first, then going after their hearts with the Grace of God in the Gospel of Christ.Another turning point was the conversion of some of the Druids themselves.Patrick was driven to bring the Gospel to Ireland because Hibernia, as Ireland was called, was considered the end of the World & Jesus had said the Gospel would be preached to the ends of the world, then the end would come.  Patrick thought he was hastening Christ's return. In his writings, he repeatedly mentions he was in ‘the last days', and quoted Matthew 24:14. He wrote, “It has been fulfilled. Behold! We are witnesses to the fact that the Gospel has been preached out to beyond where anyone lives.'Patrick wasn't alone in this belief. Christians never gave up the idea Christ would return when all the nations heard about him; they just discovered more nations. About exactly a thousand years after Patrick, Columbus went to America not merely in a quest for fame and riches, but to hasten the 2nd Coming.  His Book of Prophesies shows how he thought his discovery fitted into biblical predictions of the end times.While the legend of Patrick's use of a shamrock to explain the Trinity is interesting, there's no historical evidence of it. It wouldn't have been necessary because in the Celtic religion, the concept of a divine trinity was already in place. There's also no evidence to support the story of Patrick driving all the snakes out of Ireland.We've quoted the first of the two documents Patrick left us, his Confessio. The other was a letter he wrote to a British chieftain named Coroticus. Coroticus claimed to be a Christian but sent his soldiers on raids to Ireland. They'd taken many of Patrick's converts as slaves. In one case, just a day after being baptizing, dozens of Patrick's converts were brutally attacked by Coroticus' raiders. Though they were still dressed in their baptismal garments, many were killed, the rest hauled off as slaves.  Patrick was outraged and wrote an open letter to Coroticus which he circulated to many others. It excommunicated both Coroticus and his soldiers, barring them from Christian fellowship and Communion until they did penance and restored what they'd stolen.Not long after Patrick was named bishop of the Irish church, that friend to whom he confessed his youthful sin, betrayed him. Though the man had earlier said what Patrick had done was no great error, he decided to brand it so by making it public and bringing shame on Patrick. Though we never do discover the nature of the thing, it was a scandal to church officials. Some called for Patrick's immediate ouster as bishop. Misfortune is a magnet of ill-news and soon others were adding to the accusations against him.  One man claimed Patrick had gone to Ireland merely to get rich, an odd charge when we considered the poverty that marked his life and the unlikely prospect before he went of the success of that ambition.The charges were serious enough to require a church synod. They commissioned an investigation. A group went to Ireland to question Patrick. Though he never testified at the synod back in Britain, the turn-coat friend who'd betrayed him thought better of his betrayal and ended up defending him. The Confessio was Patrick's reply to the charges against him.While the official outcome of the synod is unknown, that Patrick was never censured or deposed as bishop suggests the charges were refuted.Patrick was less concerned with planting churches as he was in making converts and was tireless in his journeys back & forth across the island. Following the pattern of the time, he considered the ascetic life of the monastery as the purest form of the Faith and encouraged his converts to be monks and nuns. This led to the building of dozens of monasteries and nunneries in Ireland. The rural nature of the island also encourage this form of the Church. Without major urban centers, large churches overseen by bishops were rare. So Irish Christianity was centered in communal monastic life.Patrick died of natural causes on March 17th, 493.  Today, he's one of the most famous figures from the 5th C.  Like so many others of the past who accomplished great things, we'd probably not even know of him were it not for the dynamic missions outreach that came from Ireland. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland was British. And the Faith he transplanted across the Irish Sea eventually came back to Britain.Many have noted how the Irish have a habit of leaving Ireland. The missionary monks were no exception. There were churches in Britain before Patrick's day. His father and grandfather were church leaders. But the Anglo-Saxons had confined Christian Britain to a small sliver of the west. A century after Patrick, an Irish monk named Columba founded a monastery on the island of Iona, off the coast of Scotland. Though a small base, Iona was nevertheless responsible for a mighty wave of missionary outreach to Scotland & Britain.With this vibrant base in Ireland & Britain, Celtic monks went to the Continent.  They established bases of outreach in Germany, Switzerland & Italy. These in turn became centers of evangelization and scholarship. These Celtic monasteries maintained a fierce independence from Rome, though they held the same faith. The Roman popes tried to assert authority over them but for the most part Celtic Christianity resisted such control.It was in these monasteries that much of the ancient wisdom of the Greeks & Romans was stored, laboriously copied, & assiduously studied, waiting for the day when it would re-emerge in what's known as the Renaissance.In his book How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill says this of Patrick -The Irish gave Patrick more than a home—they gave him a role, a meaning to his life. For only this former slave had the right instincts to impart to the Irish a New Story, one that made new sense of all their old stories and brought them a peace they had never known before.