Just For Fun

Recently I was reading some interesting rock history on a variety of bands that have come from Ireland. Being Irish, with 2 parents born and raised in Ireland...I am proud and amazed at how many great music artists have come from this island nation. What's most interesting is Ireland's historical embrace of artists, poets, and writers...along with a deep spiritual root that goes back to the late 470's when St. Patrick arrived on the scene. St. Patty was brilliant at weaving biblical themes into the arts and spiritual traditions of the not-yet-believing Irish. He was so successful at it, he is credited with 'Christianizing' the nation. That impact has emanated around the world...much of it through Irish art, poetry, music and writers. Ireland's deep Christian roots and embrace of the arts in all forms has led to some amazing musical artists, many of which have a uniquely spiritual foundation in their musical offerings. Not all of them do, of course. Some themes are your typical love songs, party songs, songs of various emotions, common to the human condition...that part isn't unusual. But the spiritual themes of hope, love, peace and healing... especially in the context of God as its source...that is uniquely prevalent. That's kinda cool. At ECHO we too embrace the arts, of all kinds, knowing that they can be great expressions of the soul and can deeply touch people in very relevant ways. Note some of these famous (and perhaps not so famous, at least in the USA) Irish bands. Think on some of their songs, their themes, the spirit in their music... How many times has God spoken to you through a 4 minute song?

Top Irish Bands
-U2
-Snow Patrol
-Van Morrison (his band was originally called "Them")
-The Cranberries
-Sinead O'Connor
-Thin Lizzy
-The Boomtown Rats (led by Bob Geldof of Live Aid fame)
-The Pogues
-The Undertones (led by Feargal Sharky)
-Rory Gallagher (a legend in slide-blues-rock guitar)
-Enya

To name a few!

Who is or was your favorite?

Who had the most impact on you?

What songs "spoke to you"?

May the ECHO of the songs that touched us, be a reminder of how our lives can ECHO God's love as well. Pass it on...

be God's!
Brian O
Lead Pastor dude, ECHO