Chris Seay > Quotes

“Greed is a snarling monster with a set of razor-sharp teeth on both sides of its head. It devours not only those from whom it takes, but also those who eagerly receive its plunder.”
― Chris Seay, The Tao of Enron: Spiritual Lessons from a Fortune 500 Fallout

“We need to take time to connect with the poor, resist our unceasing cravings, and pray. But we also need to gather with friends and family, share in God's good provision, eat delicious food, tell stories that encourage us all, and celebrate the risen Lord.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“Often in our emotional, spiritual, and financial economy, the problem is that we adopt a view of scarcity rather than abundance. We fear we will not have enough money, insight, or even love to share with others.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“I pray, I dream that we become a people who are known not because we have a huge steeple or beautiful stained glass or interesting buildings but because we are so hospitable, so celebratory, that we are constantly inviting others in and sharing Jesus.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“...words possess power, whether they are names given to children, curses spoken to enemies, blessings offered to our loved ones, or even haphazard advice extended in the hurried moments before departure.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“If you didn't cry in season four's episode 'The Constant,' something is wrong with you; you were either distracted or, worse, it is possible you have no soul.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“So much lies in our communications with one another--even the most fleeting and careless of insults can wound us, so you can imagine that if you feel a physical response to a passing curse from a stranger on the highway, pronouncements of failure and worthlessness from a parent or loved one will strike sharply deep within you.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“In a world filled with greed and fear, good food connects us to the earth and our Creator.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“Much of television programming--mind-numbing talk shows, soap operas, and reality TV--should come with a disclaimer: 'Warning: Watching the following program is likely to stunt one's emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“But the LOST narrative is uniquely intertwined with the Judeo-Christian story, and the beauty of Christianity is found in its unyielding proclamation that no one is beyond redemption--not even a torturer, murderer, or con man.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“So thank you to the writers and creators of LOST for giving us an alternative to an hour of Geraldo Rivera that will actually lead us to think and pick up an essay written by a wig-wearing man form the 1600s. Who would have guessed all this could come from a story of a cadre of beautiful people stranded on an island?”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“We need to follow the example set for us by the people of God in Acts, who shared all that they had--a striking portrait of the church getting on her feet and discovering her unique identity. One of the church's shining features was her focus on sharing with anyone who had a need. It was as if Jesus had told them, 'I will provide everything that you need; the only obstacle is that some of you will have too much and others will not have enough. I'm counting on you to sort it out.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“As we obsess over the newest technology and the latest fashions, we find the majority of our income is spent on what we love most--ourselves--while the world is hurting.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“All of us have an earthly father whose image we carry buried deep inside, an image that manifests itself in ways unrecognizable to us but nevertheless professes the touch of another human being.”
― Chris Seay, The Gospel According to Lost

“Nothing is so inconsistent with the life of any Christian as overindulgence. —The Rule of Benedict”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: A 40-Day Journey of Grace

“In the midst of despair, that's where God invades and works most.”
― Chris Seay

“As Christians who are called to love the least of these, we need to realize that poverty is not a problem, it is our problem. When we contemplate what is happening globally, we might likely agree that a large percentage of our income should be diverted immediately to care for those in greatest need. We could easily determine that 50 percent or more of our annual income should be given away.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“...the restlessness we feel can either be the defeat that keeps us in the wilderness or the birthing pangs that bring forth something new within us.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“I pray we are attuned to the ways the kingdom is breaking into our lives as we seek the justice of heaven here on earth.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“Establish rituals. Develop your own unique rituals. In my home, we collect all of the photos friends send to us as Christmas cards in a special prayer box, and every night we take out one photo and pray for that family.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: A 40-Day Journey of Grace

“The world will not be changed when we ascend to power. God's kingdom will not be furthered because an evangelical Christian resides in the White House or the highest court in the land. God changes the world through humility and service. it is a subversive tactic, yet highly effective.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“The extra weight I carry with me is a spiritual issue, and it is never more painfully obvious than when I visit brothers and sisters living in extreme poverty. I have felt the gentle and loving rebuke of the Holy Spirit as I held an underweight child. I have too much, and she does not have enough. It is a painful realization, not only because it exposes my selfishness but also because it is clear to me that my sin is evident to everyone present. Sharing is at the heart of true Christianity.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor

“Would you try an experiment with me today? On a single sheet of paper, will you write words of thanks? As you become aware of your blessings today, write them down. Some blessings are large and some might seem small. God has given you 86,400 seconds today—use as many of them as possible to say thanks.”
― Chris Seay, A Place at the Table: A 40-Day Journey of Grace