King of Kings

So, it's 2009 now. Is that strange to anyone else? I remember being a little girl and hearing people talk about how "one day" it was going to be the year 2000-something. I remember thinking how unrealistic of a year it sounded...Two thousand? It sounds way to space age-y. And now, here we are - nearly a decade into living in the space age of the 00's. Or whatever you call this decade. I'm still not used it it, apparently.

I attended one of the two local baptist churches in my area of Nottingham today. This church is probably my favorite of our local churches to attend on a Sunday morning. The people are very nice, and they remind me of the church I attended when I was at Florida Christian College (probably because they meet on a school campus!). Anyhow, we sang a song today that I've only ever heard here in England, though perhaps you have heard it - "King of Kings, Majesty." You can watch a big church in London sing it (with worship leader, Tim Hughes, whom I met over the summer at Soul Survivor): King of Kings, Majesty

While we were singing this song today, the royal images in the song hit me hard. I've always sang songs and heard Scripture that talks about God being our King. However, it became like new today in my mind. Here I am...living in a country that once WAS a monarchy. They even have a Queen right now! When I was in Florida, I had lots of people asking me about the Queen, and what the English people think of her. From what I can tell, and from what I've heard from my English friends is that they love the Queen. She's a strong woman that they admire. On her birthday (which isn't actually her birthday, but rather one date that they celebrate the current monarch's birthday) they all tune in to watch a silly parade with the Queen sitting by with a tight smile on her face, as she waves in approval. But still...no matter how much they may love that woman, she is still only a figurehead. The monarchist system has long ago stepped aside in favor of the wonderful world of democracy.

Thinking back to the complete power the Kings of England once had in this land, and the many that took advantage of the hard working people in the country...I wonder if they did with The King of Kings what they did to their earthly Kings. Stripped of their power, and turned into nothing more than something fun to watch. Maybe even celebrate his birthday in a silly way as everyone watches on TV. Many of the teens we speak with in schools have this idea in their head that if there is a God, then He must be this all-powerful beast that lords his power over the little people, crushing them on his way to greatness. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I can only imagine how difficult it must be for someone who had an abusive father to understand when people compare God to being a heavenly father. It only makes sense for it to be just as difficult to understand Him being a King worthy to be served with joy and peace. Just a thought.

My new photos are up from my holiday to Prague, Sweden, and around Germany! Click here if you want to see them! I had an amazing time. I feel very blessed to be able to live an adventure in Europe for however long God has for me here.

As always, thanks for reading :) May God bless you in 2009!