Ireland has long been known as the ‘Land of Saints and Scholars’ with a reputation for sending God’s messengers around the world to proclaim the ‘Good News’. In 563, St. Columba travelled from Ireland. His journey was a missionary journey. It has been beautifully and vividly described by T. Radcliffe Barnett (1868-1946) – ‘that navy of heaven which brought more wealth of Christ than ... all the greatest ships of war’. In recent times it has become known for the ‘Bad News’ of violence, sectarianism and bigotry. What message is coming out from Ireland to the rest of today's world? There are conflicting messages coming out from Ireland. There is good news. The wealth of Christ is being carried out to the nations of the world. There is bad news. The world hears about the troubles in Northern Ireland and wonders, ‘Will it ever end?’ The Church enjoys a glorious privilege. God has shown us His kindness by allowing us to spread the Good News of the immeasurable wealth of Christ (Eph
Notes on God's Word