Thursady 14th February...Valentines Day.
 

Two years ago today, I was teaching in a school in Ghana and I remember one student asking me what Valentines Day was about. I simply explained that Valentines Day is a good day for sharing....I didn´t want to complicate his mind with Western interpretations (indeed in Japan, you must not only give to your partner but to give gifts to all your male friends as well...WHY DON´T I LIVE THERE?!). So I thought this would be a good day to start the Glory blog, my random thoughts on my supernatural lifestyle (try trekking around with me round the world and at work - I see some pretty amazing things!)  - on it you will hopefully find something that will stir your faith at least once a week. You might even get the odd R.E/History lesson too! Expect a new one on a regular basis. I am actually writing this first blog to you having been on the mountain with Jesus (literally!) - An hour ago I was on top of Christ the Redeemer mountain in Rio de Janeiro.

I was speaking to a couple in Peru on Sunday (I do get about) and they said it was an absolutely ridiculous statement that the Christ the Redeemer in Brazil is one of the seven New wonders of the world (along with Machu Picchu, the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, Angkor Wat, Chizchen Itza and Petra). Now, after seeing Machu Picchu on Sunday, they have got a point that the bricks and mortar of an art-deco statue (Apparently 90% of the votes originate isn´t much to the naked eye but the message to me is so clear.
 
Even to the people of Rio De Janeiro, the redeeming Christ guards their city. But the LIVING Christ is the one that guards my heart. He is the one who fences me off from the world, who makes my cup of blessing run over, who causes me to have success in my life, at school, when I go around the world. By choosing to let the redeeming Christ stand over your life, you make a decision that means that you are protected. The Bible says that "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty - Psalm 91". I am abiding under the shadow of the redeeming Christ this week and am conscious that on this Valentines Day, this same Jesus who won my heart when I was 12 and wins it every day I wake up is with me always and I know that there is no greater satisfaction than to have Him watching over me, living in me and working through me.
 
This week, please pray for my place of work that God will move in awesome power and touch the lives of the young people I come into contact with everyday - Thanks
 
Stay cool,
David