May 2013
This is the third time I have written an introduction to this website. (You can read the other two below.) Quite a bit has happened in the nearly five years since the start of WheretheWind.com. Getting married is the biggest. Writing two books is big too. Sustaining devotiONEighty for three seasons deserves an honorable mention. Through it all, I have used this website to help sustain my relationship with God and to connect with other followers of Jesus Christ. As I contemplate entering a sixth year of writing this site, I know that I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the good things that God has in store for me, for us, and for this creation.
I hope you will continue this journey with me and look for where the wind of the Holy Spirit is blowing in your life. Ask yourself these two questions. Where do you find God’s presence in each of your days? And where is God calling you to be God’s presence in this world? God has never stopped creating, and each one of us has the joyous opportunity to join God’s creative activity. This creativity mixes imagination, wonder, and compassion with devotion, discipline, and elbow grease. When we respond to God’s creativity with our own, the outcome brings more love and more freedom than there was before. Think how blessed we are to be a part of it!
Thank you for reading WheretheWind.com. May God show you where your unique gifts can bring healing to this broken, yet beautiful world.
August 2011
I wrote the original introduction (below) over two years ago, a week before I was ordained to the priesthood. Since then, I have continued encountering God in my life, and I have failed to notice God. I have served God’s people at church, and I have failed to serve God’s people. I have written about my life with God, and I have failed to write about that life. Through it all, God continues to whisper and enfold me into God’s presence.
About a year ago and a half ago, I received a call out of the blue from an editor at Abingdon Press in Nashville. It turns out that several movements of the Holy Spirit collided and brought the video Bible studies I filmed in mid-2009 across the desk of an executive at the publisher, who (I later discovered) has the exact same sense of humor as I do. This was fortuitous because she thought I was much funnier than I actually am.
To make a long story less long, Abingdon offered me a book contract, and during the summer of 2010, I wrote a book called Digital Disciple: Real Christianity in the Virtual World. (You might have been wondering why I posted next to nothing on the blog during the summer of 2010. Now you know why!) The book came out in May 2011. I am quite excited that it is published, quite exhausted after having written it, and quite thankful to God, to my wife (for putting up with me while I was writing), and to all of the folks at Abingdon who are absolutely wonderful blessings. If you’d like to order a copy of Digital Disciple, click the title, which will send you to Cokesbury’s website to place your order. I hope you enjoy the book, and I hope it may enrich your walk with Jesus Christ, as writing it enriched mine.
Thank you for visiting WheretheWind.com. May God bless you to be a blessing in the world.
June 2008
My name is Adam Thomas, and I began this blog to share my reflections on God’s movement in my life and in the life of our world. As one of the first Millennials to be ordained to the Episcopal priesthood, I hope my emerging perspectives on God, Christianity, the Bible, and the mission of God’s people will add a new voice to the ongoing conversation.
I borrowed the title of the blog from the U2 song, “Kite.” The chorus of this song always sends me to the third chapter of the Gospel According to John. The Pharisee Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night, and they engage in conversation. As they talk, Jesus removes Nicodemus’s certainty of the things he’s always known and ignites in him a new curiosity. By the end of the Gospel, Nicodemus has stepped into the light of a new life, and he finds himself at the foot of the cross.
The conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus shows me that I do not have to have everything figured out to believe in the God made flesh in Jesus Christ. The conversation also reminds me that even the most ardent and unshakeable Christian must still have the heart of a seeker. I am neither the most ardent nor the most unshakeable Christian I know, nor do I always have a seeker’s heart. But I do believe that the wind of the Spirit blows where it chooses and that God continues to infuse creation with light and beauty. And I believe that Christ calls all of us to embrace the abundant life he offers and live it for the glory of God and for the care of God’s creation.
Dear Adam+
This is a great website and I look forward to many postings by WTW. Thanks for mentioning SIM and providing a link to our website.
Cheers and God bless!
Jerry+
I look forward to interacting with you here, I saw you on Anglimergent.
Terry p/BSG
Had an encounter today similar to the one you had at the fair. I’ll call you soon. Painting is soon to be on its way.
Love,
Melinda
Adam, great work with the website. Very impressive and in a short period of time. We are thankful to God that your journey passed through Martinsburg. Keep smiling.
John
Not only can you deliver as an orator, but in the written word as well. This is really enjoyable reading. I come away with a sense of learning more about…myself, the bible, perceptions…or perhaps it is because I sometimes (sheepishly) admit to opening a new tab and browsing the dictionary for an uncertain word–actually makes it that much more enjoyable.
Keep it up,
Brad
I myself am just entering the “local discernment” process for ordination in The Episcopal Church. Hopefully we will deal with each other in great ways.
Adam:
I thought you might appreciate the following link, which is about an older organist and a young curate who have different ideas about music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc80G6Yzu04
I enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with your father last week.
Bob
i got a message from your dad on myspace and he sent me to your blog website. i was so intriqued that i read for 30 mins. you have grown up to be such a smart and handsome guy. i wish the best for you. i am guessing your dad helped to inspire you to become a priest. he is a great one that really helped me to grow in my christian life. i am proud of you and so looking forward to your future blogs.
Hi Adam,
I found this via your (great) post on Episcopal Cafe, and was really struck by the tag-line “one of the first Millennials to be ordained priest.” I guess I am too–I’m Canada, in the diocese of Montreal. There’s a few of our generation around here, ordained and in seminary.
Anyhow, it’s great to find a fellow traveler.
Pax.
Your writings in the Christian Century and in the Theolog this month are profound and imaginative. Thanks, and I’ll look forward to looking in now and again. Peace
Discovered you in Christian Century’s “Living the Word” for Lent I and checked you out. I like what I see . . . refreshing . . . profound! Please notify me of new posts via email.
Thanks so much.
Rich (Retired ELCA)
We enjoyed seeing our visit this morning and look forward to a service soon. We appreciate all the time you spent with us and are very encouraged by your energy and plans for youth. Thank you again.
Miss you around Trinity, but we know you’re keeping them in good shape in MA. Congratulations on your coming marriage. Ruby keeps up the pre-service music at 7:30 with her hymn renditions.
Greetings Adam,
I just found your blog and it is awesome! I am 28 years old and in the discernment process for ordination as a priest. It is great to know that there are other people of our generation who are answering God’s call to service as Priest.
Fr. Adam,
I found this via your (great) post on Episcopal Cafe! Your writing is captivating. I am a layperson several hours southwest of Sewanee. Almost 15 years ago, I went through
the United Methodist process because *I* thought it was quicker; wanted to accomplish a couple of things for my parents. My father suddenly became ill with cancer. Their
committee told me “No” to a deferment; which I had gotten from the seminary(I realize such a decision is not reflective of all such committees) and my pastor and his wife felt it necessary to take me to lunch to inform me of what I could and could not do as a layperson … Well, duh, I never considered myself anything but a layperson. So I fled back to the welcoming arms of The Episcopal Church. To make a long story short, seven years later I moved, got married and became an active layperson in a rural parish. I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
Peace
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Hi, Adam.
I just finished Digital Disciple. It was my commuting book this past week (I try to work through various books while I ride the train to and from the city).
I appreciated your sincerity and your humor and your theological reflection.
May God continue to bless you and grow you ever deeper in faith, hope, and love.
Peace
Dan Randall
Hi reverend. My name is Ivan. I’m a 16 year old gay catholic boy.
I’m really interested in joing the episcopal church. Since I was a little boy the priesthood always seemed appealing to me. Because of me sexual orientation I know the catholic church is not where I belong. I hope to join the episcopal church and go into seminary. Your page has been helpfully.
God bless
Ivan,
Know that you will be in my prayers as you discern your calling. There are some great Episcopal Churches in the Bay Area. I commend them to you. Here’s a link that shows all of them. Many Blessings,
Adam
Hey Adam, Hope the post generates some traffic for you and readership of your book. I really enjoyed it, just sorry it took me so long to get around to it! Thanks for all your great work and I look forward to continuing to hear from you. – Jason
From a fellow Sewanee alum and religion and philosophy major I have to say YSR!!! Love your blog!