Jury Duty

I got a summons for Jury Duty a few weeks ago. Today was my lucky day. It started out innocently enough, me running late, looking for a parking spot, rushing in to find out I get to wait about 15 minutes until everyone arrives (I'm glad church isn't the only place that happens). So I'm sitting there trying to figure out how to get out of this. Then the official gets up, shows a couple videos about our justice system, which I guess were supposed to inspire us, and we get a 30 minute break so they can pick who they want to question further.
I could feel something strange happening as I sat there, and as I waited to find out if I had been chosen. I could feel this urge within me almost hoping I would be selected. Hoping I could be the person who could decide if this stranger in court was guilty or innocent. Where does that come from? Is this a natural desire we have? To want the power to condemn a person, or to set them free? What does this say about me, that I have this desire inside of me to 'play God' for an afternoon? I could feel myself fighting this urge, probably sinful and at least a bit narcissistic, to make myself another man's judge.
Ultimately, I was not chosen to serve on a jury. Maybe because of my occupation, maybe because they didn't like my shirt. Either way, I'm thankful for that. Ultimately, none of us has the right to judge anybody else. I don't really know that I want that right or responsibility. That is a 'privelege'(?) only God has the right to do. And I know I am thankful that He has better knowledge of us than a roomful of strangers.

Reflections on a job well done, part 1 (family)

My pastor is retiring this year. We held his celebration service this past weekend. He is really the only pastor I have ever had in my Christian life. After 37 years at our church, he is moving on to a small mountain church in North Carolina near his new home.
One thing that stood out to me was the fact that his kids were all here, and they all stood with him on the stage Sunday showing their love and support. That may sound like no big deal, but when I think of the responsibilities God has given me, I think first of my family. No matter how successful a ministry I may be involved in, or how great people may think I am (anybody?), if my wife doesn't know that I love her, if my kids don't grow up to know and love God and love their families, then I have failed in my #1 responsibility. I know no family is perfect, we all go through our rough patches, but I know my prayer is that in 20, 30, 40 years, whatever I may have, I want to know that I have been faithful in leading my family to know and love God. That is one area I know I want to follow my pastor's example.
Right now some of the ways I am working on this are by praying with and for my family daily, doing something to show my incredible wife each day how much I love her, and doing something meaningful (even if it's for a short time) with my kids every day.