Butt Forkin

Careful how you say that! What's all this talk about forks and butts? As they say in da hood, "Lemme break it down fuh ya." These past two evenings, my wife and I had the immense pleasure, no, honor of serving in fellowship by helping pull and shred pork for a Bar-B-Que fund raiser. We stood elbow to elbow with small group members and yanked on gristle, passed some fatback, chucked bone, and pulled meat from some of the tastiest pork butts this side of Twelve Mile Creek. People on the Adkins Diet were not invited, it was an All Protein night.

As I stood there, shredding pork like Edward Scissorhands on a paper doll, I was truly moved and inspired by my friends Terry and Lori, the producers of these audacious Boston Butts (all 600 pounds worth). Terry and Lori opened their home, and grilling trailer, to a group from Southbrook Church who are raising money for youth missions. Terry and Lori used to go to Southbrook, as did my family, and we still have connections there through friendships. But just because they don't go there doesn't mean they abandoned their passion for helping youth missions. This couple has a history of working with youth groups on mission trips and are passionate about it when the topic comes up. Serving others and missions, from what I see, are their Spiritual Gifts and I am blessed to witness these gifts in action.

Each of us has been wired, by God, with Spiritual Gifts and He intends for us to use that gift in serving others. Check out parts of Romans 12:6-7, "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well." and "If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well." We are called to use our gifts in a way that glorifies our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have to admit, there are many days where I miss opportunities to use the gifts He has given me. I get caught up in "the day" or "the moment". But, when I take time to reflect on what God has done for me and how He has blessed my socks off, I am overcome with a desire to use the gifts to lift others up to Him.

These past two evenings, I see how Terry and Lori served Christ by using their gifts. Their service is a blessing to me. They are my Heroes of the Week. Besides, how can you not be inspired by Terry and his ability to rub a butt? It's a Bar-B-Que thang, you may not understand.

Terry - a.k.a. Dr. Grillenstein, The Master of Grilling Disaster, and God's Servant