Have lots of joy! Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

Dear Friends,

Hey there! I am still so pumped up about last night's big cookout. Wow! It was so cool to sit outside
on the front porch and talk and eat free food. Thanks to everyone who came by!

Tomorrow night (Thursday) we are eating at 6:30pm. State St. UMC is providing food, and Broadway UMC is
coming to lead us in worship (7:30pm). I am so excited! You know how on Sunday mornings the praise band
will only do three songs? I always feel like I'm just getting warmed up when all the music is over.
Well, for worship tomorrow night, we are spending a whole hour in worship! Louis has 13 songs lined up.
Yeah! So come and get lost in praising God. It will be awesome.

Reminder—If you are going on our Fall Retreat (October 19-21) to camp Loucon, you need to get a $25
deposit (total cost $50) to me this week!

NOW FOR SAMI'S RAMBLING ABOUT JESUS:

I think one of the most elusive qualities about life in today's culture is joy. So much of life in so
many different sectors is full of stress, striving, competition, and general anxiety. I see it when I
talk to students, professors, people in the work force, moms who stay at home, church folk, secular folk,
every kind of folk. Everyone seems stretched thin to breaking. And no one seems to have time for joy.
Or real community.

For me the two really go hand in hand. Perhaps that's why last night's cookout on our front porch was so
edifying. There was no agenda. There was no schedule. There was simply food and friendship being
offered to anyone who would take it. And in the laughter and simple community that was shared, my heart
felt light and joyful.

I love just being together without having to accomplish anything, simply appreciating the company of the
person(s) one is with. I often wonder if that is what Jesus experienced as He walked among the throngs
of people gathered to together to taste something of the Kingdom of God that He brought with Him. I
wonder if that is why the disciples stayed with Him morning, noon, and night, forsaking an old way of
life that no longer satisfied. It seems a Christ-like community transforms one's experience of the world
in profound ways. Life together, sharing the Holy Spirit, saturated with God's love, is satisfying in
the deepest ways. And the joy one lives with in that kind of community changes everything. It brings
with it the courage to step out as a new kind of being: a human being who for the sake of Joy runs with
perseverance the race of life, following the example of Christ and trusting in His Holy Spirit to keep
him or her following.

It's why hanging out at the Wesley Foundation is a spiritual exercise, even if we aren't doing
anything "religious." When we are together, and the Spirit of the living God permeates the spaces we
live in, we are transformed. And that transformation changes the world as we step out into it.

So I wish for you my friends joy and community. That you may have the courage to live boldly in a world
that does not understand either one. So that you may have the courage to be transformed and then to
transform every other place you go.

Hoping,

Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

Courageously Play!--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

Dear Friends,

Fall break is almost here! Yeah! I'm looking forward to time away with my family.
May each of you get some much needed rest and a chance to renew your energies.

We have some cool things coming up.

FALL RETREAT—This will be October 19-21. The cost is only $50. I need to know by
Thursday October 11th if you plan on attending. $25 is due then. If money is an
issue let me know. I want everyone who wants to go to be able to.

NEXT TUESDAY—we will have a cookout at the Wesley Foundation from 4:30pm till 6:30pm.
Mel Wilhelm, the youth minister from Covenant UMC in LaGrange, is coming up to visit
and bringing food. No program, no catch, just dinner. So come by and enjoy some good
times and good free food.

NEXT THURSDAY—Broadway UMC is providing music for us, for a really awesome time of
worship. This is a time to leave the worries of school, family, friends, etc. behind
as we focus totally on Jesus and praise Him. Of course we will eat first at 6:30pm.

Now For Sami's Ramblings About Jesus:

As we look forward to a Fall Break that begins soon, go forward into that lazy time of
rest and re-creation. It's okay to have fun. God designed you for joy. So take time
to revel in it during this break. Be courageous in resting, really resting.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is take a nap. Don't waste this precious
time doing "important" things. Allow yourself the luxury of loafing. Honestly, this
is part of our best spiritual practices. It is called Sabbath. If you are like me,
it is all too tempting to squander such times catching up. Instead of truly allowing
the body, mind, and spirit to rejuvinate and restore lost resources, we push ourselves
demanding more than we were made for. And then when circumstances and life culminate
in such a way that they absolutely do demand more of us, we have nothing left to give
because we gave our best away to the non-essentials, never giving the best of
ourselves time to be recharged and re-invigorated.

So bravely go into this time of Break, and Break away from the temptation to turn it
into just another long weekend. Instead, be a good steward of the self God has given
you and rest. You just might be surprised just how much more you get done when you
get back!

Hoping,

Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

An Angel Helped Me Carry Something to DUC--Wesley Weekly E-Letter (Methodist Student Center)

Dear Friends,

Hope you are enjoying this nice change in weather. It actually looks and kind of feels like fall! Here
is a quick run-down of the stuff we have going on:

Tomorrow night we eat at 6:30pm. Of course it's free. And then we will make prayer labyrinths. If you
enjoy making art, you will love this. It is a really creative way to pray. We will also talk about
prayer as a journey and where our journeys are taking us this year. It should be fun.

Also this Sunday Bishop James King will be in Bowling Green at Christ United Methodist Church. At 6pm
there will be a time of singing where different churches will share music from around the Bowling Green
area. We will also be singing and sharing a slide show of what God is doing at the Wesley Foundation.
It is one of the ways we will celebrate our 50 years of ministry at WKU. Be sure and join us!

Now for Sami's Ramblings About Jesus:

Yesterday I was visited by an angel. God sent a young man to help me out in a situation where I was too
proud to ask for help. I was walking from the Wesley Foundation to DUC, taking our Pack & Play to a
friend who has a baby a few months younger than Isaiah. I figured I could just carry it and walk, since
parking is so difficult. Of course the hill was much steeper than I anticipated, and the Pack & Play
weighed more than I thought and was hard to hold on to! Sweat was dripping off of me by the time I
reached Cherry Hall.

As I was going in to Cherry a young man stopped to hold the door for me, and seeing my struggle he asked
if I could use some help. I said no. He said since he was already late for class, he might as well go
ahead and help me. I told him I didn't want to keep him from class. Again he offered.

There was something in his offer that was like manna from heaven. I finally accepted the help he was
ready to give. I'm so glad I did. My load was heavy.

I think this is how Jesus is with us. We walk through life carrying loads of heavy stuff: high
expectations, doubts, fears, frustrations, hurts, habits, broken relationships, disappointments, anger,
worry, etc. At every turn Jesus is standing there asking us, "Can I carry that for you?" His promise is
that He takes the weight of our sin and worry and gives us His heart instead. What a cool trade! It is
a transformation that brings freedom, energy, and aliveness. We begin to care about things He cares
about, yet having the power we need, His power, to actually do something that makes a real difference in
the concerns on our hearts.

I was truly humbled to have to accept help the other day. But the blessing that young man gave me was
immeasurable. So Kenny, wherever you are, thank you for showing me Jesus. I hope you come to Wesley
sometime so everyone can see what my angel looks like.

Hoping,

Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

God Found Me--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

Dear Friends,

It's been a beautiful day. I tend to forget when the weather is so hot and dry for so long that
eventually it will change. And so it was nice to be outside on this day when there was a crisp-
ness in the air and a break from the sweltering heat. It's another reminder that time does move
along, and so do our lives.

Now for Sami's Ramblings About Jesus:

I have just finished reading a book. It has challenged and inspired me in ways I never dreamed
when I picked it up one afternoon from the stacks of religion books in the public library. On that
crazy afternoon when I was so desperate for a quiet, contemplative space to pray, I retreated to
the library for some solitude. Only, I found when I got there that there was a buzz and busyness
present that precluded any real solitude. After fumbling around for some inspiration, I checked a
couple of books out and headed home, disappointed that my "day with God" was not what I had hoped
it would have been.

It is amazing how God shows up anyway. Over the course of three weeks I have been slowly,
deliberately, prayerfully reading this book. And it has delighted and surprised me the way I have
sensed the presence of Christ raise off the pages to speak to my heart. I thought I had to do a
bunch of religious searching to find God. Instead, God found me.

I love the surprising ways that the gospel breaks in to my predictable life to say, "Hey you!
Here's some good news!" I love that I cannot manufacture it, but instead can only humbly receive
it. I love that the only response that merits anything is mystified gratitude. I love that at the
end of the day, I am no judge of how God will show up next.

It seems like God has been showing up more and more in unpredictable, yet "good news" ways. It is
so good to be reminded that we are not in this life alone. We have each other, and we have God who
loves us desperately and is passionate about teaching us to love one another.

So dear friends, and I mean every one of you, let us live into this semester with wonder in our
souls. Be assured that we are never lost from God's good news. It can show up at any moment in
surprising and unexpected ways. Let us also be humbly aware that the next blessing sent to inspire
and encourage us may come from the unlikeliest of places. We must be prepared at any moment to
encounter the Living Lord in everything and EVERY one around us. We never know when something of
the eternal will tap on the exterior of our hearts asking to be let in. I just know I want to be
ready and receptive when it does. Do you?

Hoping,

Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

I'm Experiencing Conversion

Dear friends,

It’s that time of year again to begin those weekly meanderings of events and ramblings. Here’s a cheer for the weekly e-letter: YAY!

Tomorrow night is our first worship service of the semester. The theme is “Word of God Speak.” Faith United Methodist Church is coming to provide the music. FREE food is at 6:30pm. Our service will begin around 7:30pm. Come and consider what Word God is giving to you. Call us at 842-2880 if you need a ride.

Saturday we are celebrating 50 Years of ministry on the Hill! Join us at 1pm at the Wesley Foundation for a magnificent time of worship and commemorating God’s work through our campus ministry at Western. Almost all of our former campus ministers are returning to share in the occasion. Rev. Ken Southgate, campus minister of EKU’s Wesley Foundation will be giving the keynote address. Come and see which alumni have changed the most!

Tuesday we will be grilling for the masses on DUC South Lawn from 5pm-8pm. Come and grab a quick burger or dog on your way to class. Free food is a sign of God’s love. We will be giving away free T-shirts while they last.

Now for Sami’s Ramblings About Jesus:

I just read the following words:

“Conversion isn’t, after all, a moment: It’s a process, and it keeps happening, with cycles of acceptance and resistance, epiphany and doubt” (Take This Bread, pg. 97).

The truth of these words settles into the deepest part of me. Wow. I have just seen the thing that has been stirring in my soul these last few weeks written on a page in a book. And I have to stop and really consider what this conversion is that has been taking place inside.

Oddly enough, it is a conversion of hope, a letting go of the anxious to grasp more fully the Transcendent. It is like this Holy Mystery keeps inviting me to reach beyond my self to participate in the life that is alive around me. And I find that I am so hungry to see God in the life all around me, to be fully immersed in what God is doing. I am hungry to be a part of something bigger than myself. However, to live into this desire of my heart, I really have to let go of the things that usually reside there: things like self-doubt and self-sufficiency; worrying and restlessness; business and a compulsion to control. None of these things come from a place of hope. Instead they are born of fear.

Scripture says that perfect love casts out fear. So ultimately conversion to hopefulness is to delve deeply into love, falling in love with all that God loves. It is finding the courage to drink deeply of God’s love for a broken world, and allowing that love to mend everything within and around us.

I guess this is my prayer for this new year, that those deepest yearnings of my heart will find their way to reality as God’s grace works itself out in my life. I want to invite you to join me in this journey of hope. Amid the papers and the projects, the tyranny of deadlines and due dates, to allow Hope to reign in your hearts. The God who loves us, calls us by name, and sends us forth to share His love is so much bigger than the things that keep us up at night. And in working out His agenda for our lives, all the other details fall into place.

Hoping,

Sami

Congratulations on surviving Finals--Wesley Foundation E-Letter

Weekly E-letter:

 

Dear Friends,

 

Hope you have all survived finals week.  As a way of celebrating the end of the semester, we are taking a road trip to the Spaghetti Factory in Nashville tomorrow night.  Just meet at the Wesley Foundation at 5pm if you would like to join us.  We'll carpool there!

 

Now For Sami's Ramblings About Jesus:

 

Many of you have finished for the semester.  Some of you have an exam or two left.  The fact is that the semester is drawing to a close.  Can you believe it's here?  Hard to imagine since it seems like yesterday we were just beginning.  Just yesterday it seems I was walking up the hill with a big belly full of  baby, yet today Isaiah Wesley is six months old.  Wow.  Time flies when you're having fun.  Or that's what they say. . . .

 

Speaking of time flying, I was reminiscing about high school this morning as I was getting ready for the day.  In particular I was remembering one of the most influential teachers I ever had.  Her name was Mrs. Bauersachs; many of us just called her Mrs. B.  I have yet to see another like her in public education.  She lived her faith in such a profound way that it spilled all over her students.  I guess what I remember most is that I loved her classes (she taught English and writing).  She went out of her way to make students feel at ease.  Before our exams she always tried to "do a little dance" beforehand, usually telling a joke to relieve our anxieties and help us lighten up.  I always appreciated that she genuinely tried to make us laugh.  Not many teachers did that—most of my other teachers were too wrapped up in teaching their curriculum to see that laughter mattered.  Perhaps the thing that imprinted itself on my person more than anything else is the day that Mrs. B said, "Do whatever you want to in life, just love." I found in her statement a profound encouragement to live the life one longs for, rather than falling into someone else's dreams, but also an imperative that really is imperative.  She taught us that love is important business. 

 

And it wasn't just her words that emphasized the importance of love, her life demonstrated it too.  Mrs. B. was in charge of organizing the spring talent show.  Going against school tradition she allowed some students in a rock band to enter.  These were the kind of students that everyone else had all given up on.  But she believed in them and allowed them the same kinds of opportunities as the more "acceptable" kids.  Unfortunately, the young men broke the dress code and performed in sleeveless t-shirts that were cut completely up the sides.  Their band was disqualified.   I had her class afterward.  I'll never forget the scene that unfolded when there was a knock at her classroom door during that period.  In stepped the same student whom she had taken a chance on and had broken the rules.  With as much sincerity as I've ever seen in a teenage young man, he simply said, "I'm sorry."  And with tears in her eyes she forgave him. 

 

Don't ever think that love isn't costly.  That was her last year at my high school.  I guess love was too radical for the administration to handle, because they fired her.  And I know she left heartbroken, because when she packed up her room at the end of the year, I tried to help her.  She didn't much want help.  My last memories of her leave an ache in my heart. 

 

But heartache is not her legacy; love is.  My time with her cemented something in me that longs to live Love.  No matter the cost.  For those of you who have received these e-mails for a while, you probably recognized a theme a long time ago.  Every message I feel God gives me to give revolves around, centers around, finds its beginning and ending and being in Love, God's Love.  My heart is to do for everyone who will listen what Mrs. Bauersachs did for me:  bestow love on each person as a beautiful child of a Living and Good God.  God loves you.  Every fiber of my being tells me so.

 

So go forth into this new season, this summer break.  Do whatever you want to—just love.  Live in Love.  And know how powerfully Love calls your name.  And wherever you are Mrs. Bauersachs, thank you.

 

Blessings,

 

Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

You're almost there! Wesley Foundation E-letter

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe that classes are officially over. It has been one crazy year. When I think of all
that has happened in my own life over the last nine months I am staggered by the many changes that have
taken place. There were so many times when I thougt, "Can I really make it through?" And here I am on
the other side of such silly thoughts. Maybe you are on the other side of your own silly thoughts.
Anyway, praise God we made it! Now if we can just survive finals!

Here are some activities to help the last days along:

Tonight is the last movie on the lawn. We'll set up the grill on DUC South Lawn about 6pm. We'll give
away free burgers and dogs as long as they last. After that we'll watch "Facing the Giants" on the
Academic Complex. Should be fun. If it rains we'll take the party back to the Wesley Foundation.

Next week's awesome adventures:

Ladies Tea Party--at my house Tuesday at 5:30pm. I'm pulling out the good china girls!

Guys Cookout--at my house Thursday at 5:30pm. These are the special ranch and A-1 burgers, hand
pattied.

Roadtrip to Nashville--Friday we'll celebrate the end of the semester by riding down to the Spaghetti
Factory downtown Nashville.

Join us for some good times!!

Now for Sami's Ramblings About Jesus:

Last night I got the privilege of speaking to a group of high school students about the things that
matter most. I asked them about the things they cared about the most, as well as their biggest
challenges. Their responses were so thoughtful and honest. The biggest issues centered on trust and the
difficulty of living up to expectations. As you read this, you are probably thinking something
like, "Some things never change." In the midst of taking a deep look into the core of who we are, we
then listened to the deep wisdom of Scripture. I say listened because several of the students read the
passage aloud, and all of us listened for those places where the word of God really seemed to speak to
those deep places in our hearts. The passage we looked at came from Proverbs 3: "Trust in the Lord with
all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall
make your paths straight." Good words to live by.

Amazing how such ancient words spoke so powerfully to the present realities of this very young
generation. In the tension of this last week of school, it speaks to us as well. This is a time when it
is so easy to try to manipulate one's life into a neat package, and say to the world, "This is who I
am!" But like all tests in life, some finals are harder than others to conquer. At the end of next week
some students will be doing a victory dance; some will be wearily traveling home feeling like they've
been beaten down. And so the words of comfort come: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean
not on your own understanding." Comfort! What comfort?!

The comfort of letting God be God, the comfort of entrusting ourselves to hands more capable than our
own, the comfort of the relief that comes when we admit that we don't know it all. The truth is we don't
need to know it all. We just need to surrender it all into the sturdy, yet gentle, tender, yet wise,
hands of God.

I spoke with a young man last night who was so full of Jesus, suffused with a passion that lit up his
eyes and his heart. He was there to help with the youth. He shared with me the story of how he left the
University he was enrolled in to return home and attend the local community college. Most young people
would be devastated by such a move. But this young man's eyes shown as he told me how God had
orchestrated this move in his life, and in so doing had opened up possibilities for him that were his
true heart's desire, including a new relationship that brought him much joy and a closeness to his
mentors that buoyed him up. He was involved in a powerful ministry to youth that he loved. If he had
trusted in his own wisdom he would have been lost and miserable. By trusting God at a difficult
intersection in his life, he was found and blessed. The world just can't offer that.

So in these final days when anxieties run so high, remember who is really in charge, who is really Master
of the universe. No, it's not he-man. It's God. Who loves you and calls you by name. Trust me, there
is great safety and joy in answering. Until next time. . . .

Blessings,

Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

Hope--Weekly E-letter Wesley Foundation

Dear Friends,

I just got back from eating Baskin Robbins ice cream with a friend. There is nothing like Jamoca Almond
Fudge ice cream to make the day better, and I was having a pretty good one to begin with. I hope each of
you has something like that in your life that brings you simple joy. Sometimes it is just good to step
away from the craziness and simply enjoy life. It somehow makes the craziness less crazy.

Anyway, tonight is our special PICTURES OF GOD worship experience. Bring your picture with you and we'll
scan it in! Food at 6:30pm, our service starts at 7:30pm. SMILEY & THE HOT MINUTE will be sharing
praise and worship music. Should be lots of fun.

Next week we will watch a "Facing the Giants" on the lawn. Watch for more info later on.

Now for Sami's Ramblings About Jesus:

Yesterday I wrote my e-letter and lost it in cyberspace when I hit send. Today I am writing it first in
a Word document. It seems I always have to live and learn the hard way. Pray for me; I need it bad! 

It's been a rough couple of weeks on campus. My heart has been so heavy for most of it over the
shootings at Virginia Tech and then the death of the young man in Keen Hall. Yet at the same time the
presence of God has been so profound. I've seen Him move in ways that have amazed me. While I have
wrestled with what to say in the midst of tragedy, I keep coming back to the presence of Hope which
persists no matter what.

We stood together on the lawn last week lighting candles to honor those who had lost their lives as well
of those who were hurting. The light spread from one person to another. Nobody cared who they received
the light from. Divisions seemed to melt away from the gathered crowd as we kept passing the constant
flame from one candle to another. That's how I think of Hope. We share God's heart with one another,
passing His blessing around from one person to another, feeling in our own hearts the Love of God that
beats there, and communicating it to others in simple gestures, like light bearing. We are His light
bearers.

We also bring light by bearing the cares and burdens of others; we care about what they care about, we
feel their heartache with them. Somehow it makes the day better. We join our hearts with theirs and
simply stay with them in their need, being a face of love for them to gaze upon, or even gazing upon them
with love when their pain is so great they cannot even raise their eyes. We care and we offer the space
of our hearts to carry those who hurt to the heart of God. If we can't make it better we take the hurt
to the One who can. While I don't know what to say in the face of unspeakable anguish, this is what I
wish to be, and what I try to offer in the place of words.

I guess I keep coming back to that simple truth that God holds us. We are held in love, just sometimes
we don't know it. In the aftermath of all that has happened, my heart aches most for those who are
lonely and feel they must suffer alone. Like the young man who took his own life. I just wish I would
have known him. I just wish he had known there was a place on campus where he would have found
friendship and acceptance. A place where he would have been loved.

I want to say to you who are reading this and feel lonely, like there is no place where you really
belong, like your life doesn't matter and nobody cares, we are your place. We care. Your life does
matter. It matters to God and it matters to us. I promise you welcome. You will find rest for your
soul.

For some of us it is a major step of faith to trust. If you need to trust that someone cares, trust us.
Give us a chance to shower you with God's love. We will honor the step of faith you take.

Know you are not alone. Know that you are loved.

Blessings,

Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

Candlelight Vigil Tonight

Dear Friends,

A campus wide candlelight vigil is being held tonight at 10pm at the Guthrie Tower. This is an
opportunity for us to stand in solidarity with those at Virginia Tech who are experiencing the tragedy of
yesterday's shooting spree on that campus. Please join us for this time of reflection, prayer, and
lifting up those who are hurting.

Blessings,
Sami

Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880

Dear Friends,

Hope you are staying dry on this rainy day! At least it is starting to warm up. It snowed here for the Easter weekend. Nothing like hunting eggs in a snow storm! Wow. Tomorrow night we will be hosting a movie night on South Lawn. Come and join us for dinner at the Wesley Foundation at 6:30pm and then trot down the hill to enjoy "Cars" on the side of the Academic Complex (about 7:30pm). In case of rain we will just watch at it at the Foundation. Otherwise bring a blanket and crash (ha, ha) on the lawn.
Now For Sami's Ramblings About Jesus: Last night I got the rare privilege of watching TV with my wonderful husband Tim. Boston Legal was on. It always makes me think. The episode revolved around the theme of love and how to experience love we must make ourselves vulnerable to others. In order to love we must accept the risk that vulnerability brings, but in rejecting risk we also condemn ourselves to loneliness. We reject the one thing we were made for. The choice to love and be loved always brings risk. But it is riskier still to not love at all.

I laid in bed last night thinking of love, God, and Easter. It is incredible and wonderful to me to think about God, maker and ruler of the universe, risking everything to love us. Isn't that what the incarnation is all about? Jesus, the one who is "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15-16), became flesh and walked among us as a man, a human man, a flesh and blood person who wept and laughed and cried and everything we do as humans. It is so easy to think, "surely the Divine Being would not become something as vulnerable as human?" And yet He did. And then it is so easy to think, "surely God as human wouldn't be subject to the kinds of inconveniences and discomforts that most humans endure." And yet He says of himself, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). And then it is so easy to think, "but surely the Most High God would not permit Himself to suffer and experience the deepest of human misery." And yet Jesus's life as a man ends on a cross. Wow.

What complete and utter vulnerability. God in Jesus risked everything to love us, and experienced real loss in the process. It is a shocking God we follow as people of faith. Which one of us when faced with that kind of loss up front would risk loving to begin with? And yet Jesus does.

What I love is that death does not have the last word. A few years back the song "Arise My Love" was released. It tells the story of Easter morning from God's perspective. In the early morning hours God's light breaks forth and calls Jesus back to life. God's love risks complete vulnerability, is vulnerable even to death, and then rises forth to new resurrected life that is forever beyond the grasp of death. It is like the sweet words of Solomon: "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame." (Song of Songs 8:6)

I love that love has the last word. That love lives, even in the midst of the worst life brings; love lives. In all my years of being alive, being a pastor, being a campus minister I have only seen one real need in people's lives: the need to experience real love. And Jesus is the love that lasts and has the last word. It is the real word we all need to hear. It never matters how deep the wounds are that I have seen (and felt). The hunger is always to experience love. And His love is so longing to fill us up. He even went to the cross to give it. I'm just so glad it didn't stay there. So how about some resurrection love? Jesus loves you. He meets you where you are (no matter where that is) and moves you where He is. . . . To new life. It's why we do what we do. We just want you to know you are loved.

Blessings, Sami 


Rev. Sami Wilson
Campus Minister/Director

WKU Wesley Foundation
1355 College St.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 842-2880