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A Place at the Table (Library Edition): 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor
In a culture built on consumption--especially of food--it is easy to forget the poor that Jesus cared so much about. Following the pattern of his successful Advent Conspiracy, Chris Seay invites readers on a journey of self-examination, discipline, and renewed focus on Jesus that will change their lives forever.
He challenges readers to eat like the poor for forty days in solidarity with a much-neglected group of people, and to donate the money they save on groceries to a charity or project that serves the poor in concrete ways. But he doesn't expect them to go it alone. A Place at the Table includes a short chapter for each of those forty days with Scripture, reflections, prayers, encouragement, and tips for engaging the whole family in the process. The six-session DVD, shot in such locations as the Holy Land, Haiti, and Ecuador, will help small groups and entire churches go on a passionate journey of radical faith, personal action, solidarity with the poor, and extravagant grace.
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First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 8, 2012
Chris Seay presents an interesting and insightful take on fasting in his newest book, A Place at the Table.
I started this book about 1/3 of the way through the Lenten Season after visiting friends at Chris' church in downtown Houston, Ecclesia. I heard it mentioned many times, but reading it was almost out of the question because I already had four books open. However, when the conversations began to revolve more and more around it, I forced myself to squeeze it in.
Honestly, "squeeze" is not a great word to describe how I am reflecting on this book. The flow Chris communicates with on stage and in person transfers effortlessly onto paper. I felt as though he was there, reading it to me.
Since I had started late, I knew I would have to put some extra time away to finish it before Easter arrived. However, I breezed through the entire first section, and before I knew it I was ahead of the reading schedule.
One of my favorite lines comes from the end of the book. He writes, "The success of this fast is not based on how well we kept the rules during the fast, how much weight we lost, or how much time we spent in prayer. The real success of this fast comes in the ways out lives have been changed." That's what I find so interesting about A Place at the Table; Chris seems not to care about the mechanical results of the fast, but instead he urges us to focus on what we can change inside through our daily time with God.
Chris also includes 40 stories of people throughout the world and ways to pray for them or get involved in aiding their situations or the people around them. I found these to add a sense of realism to the book. It caused me to focus less on myself and more on others, while, at the same time, directing me back to my relationship with God.
"Bravo, Chris!" are the only words I can use to sum up this great book.
I started this book about 1/3 of the way through the Lenten Season after visiting friends at Chris' church in downtown Houston, Ecclesia. I heard it mentioned many times, but reading it was almost out of the question because I already had four books open. However, when the conversations began to revolve more and more around it, I forced myself to squeeze it in.
Honestly, "squeeze" is not a great word to describe how I am reflecting on this book. The flow Chris communicates with on stage and in person transfers effortlessly onto paper. I felt as though he was there, reading it to me.
Since I had started late, I knew I would have to put some extra time away to finish it before Easter arrived. However, I breezed through the entire first section, and before I knew it I was ahead of the reading schedule.
One of my favorite lines comes from the end of the book. He writes, "The success of this fast is not based on how well we kept the rules during the fast, how much weight we lost, or how much time we spent in prayer. The real success of this fast comes in the ways out lives have been changed." That's what I find so interesting about A Place at the Table; Chris seems not to care about the mechanical results of the fast, but instead he urges us to focus on what we can change inside through our daily time with God.
Chris also includes 40 stories of people throughout the world and ways to pray for them or get involved in aiding their situations or the people around them. I found these to add a sense of realism to the book. It caused me to focus less on myself and more on others, while, at the same time, directing me back to my relationship with God.
"Bravo, Chris!" are the only words I can use to sum up this great book.
December 3, 2018
A good idea wrapped in a problematic framework.
Seay's book is a project designed for believing Christians who fast as part of their spiritual disciplines. The 40-day fast is tied to daily meditations on hunger, social justice, and sin using the metaphor of God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. As a metaphor, it's very good, even if you don't believe: in our modern world of excess, to what are we in bondage? And what, in particular, could we give up? If you read the Bible as literature and want to perform a solidarity act, this might work for you, too.
I say "might," though, because the one big problem with this particular book is the notion of who is hungry. Hunger and need in America are never addressed: the focus is on mission trips. The group in which the author is active, is certainly to be commended for bringing clean water to communities around the world, hopefully by invitation. But Flint, MI still doesn't have clean drinking water, and it seems illogical and absurd to take a mission trip when there are plenty of children right here at home who deserve both clean water and God's love. It's not a question of caring; it's possible to care about more than one group of people at the same time. But why are we always in such a hurry to help overseas, and so often reluctant to address issues here at home?
All that being said, I personally found this book helpful, even though I'm not Christian (or, at least, most Christians would say I am not). And I was happy to grapple with its troubling framework, because it's a growth experience for me to do so. If this is not on your path, however, you can walk on by. An optional purchase for most, but recommended for communities with large Baptist/Ecclesia church populations.
Seay's book is a project designed for believing Christians who fast as part of their spiritual disciplines. The 40-day fast is tied to daily meditations on hunger, social justice, and sin using the metaphor of God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt. As a metaphor, it's very good, even if you don't believe: in our modern world of excess, to what are we in bondage? And what, in particular, could we give up? If you read the Bible as literature and want to perform a solidarity act, this might work for you, too.
I say "might," though, because the one big problem with this particular book is the notion of who is hungry. Hunger and need in America are never addressed: the focus is on mission trips. The group in which the author is active, is certainly to be commended for bringing clean water to communities around the world, hopefully by invitation. But Flint, MI still doesn't have clean drinking water, and it seems illogical and absurd to take a mission trip when there are plenty of children right here at home who deserve both clean water and God's love. It's not a question of caring; it's possible to care about more than one group of people at the same time. But why are we always in such a hurry to help overseas, and so often reluctant to address issues here at home?
All that being said, I personally found this book helpful, even though I'm not Christian (or, at least, most Christians would say I am not). And I was happy to grapple with its troubling framework, because it's a growth experience for me to do so. If this is not on your path, however, you can walk on by. An optional purchase for most, but recommended for communities with large Baptist/Ecclesia church populations.
April 2, 2018
I got this book in 2012 when it came out and it has languished among my (way too many) pending books since then. I used it as part of my midday prayer time during Lent and found it helpful. Each day has reflection on scripture—usually the Exodus stories or the Passion (and NT reflections on it), followed by prayer and a story about someone living in poverty somwhere in the world (thus fulfilling the subtitle ‘40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor’). There were also reflections for the Sundays of Lent (not part of the fasting). It was a helpful way of putting my ‘First world problems’ in perspective.
August 11, 2017
awesome read !!!!!
After learning how to live like the poor I have a better understanding of sharing out of my abundant resources; even though I felt before I didn't have abundance. Great wake up call
After learning how to live like the poor I have a better understanding of sharing out of my abundant resources; even though I felt before I didn't have abundance. Great wake up call
April 21, 2022
Lenten study book. Not as engaging as one would hope. It did encourage me in my lenten fasting from meat. I had fish once weekly and did fall off the plan on St Patrick's Day to eat a Rueben sandwich. This was a weakness and a disappointment-the sandwich wasn't very good either.
June 1, 2017
Perfect book for Lent. He suggests we eat only what our sponsored child eats during that time and use the book as a devotional. Hmmmm?
April 5, 2020
A very thoughtful devotional type book for those fasting for spiritual growth and expanded empathy for the poor.
February 22, 2015
Sometimes my library system is a wee bit lame. They didn't have this book on any of their numerous shelves so I had to get it through the InterLibrary program which means my check out time on it is limited.
Not fully realizing that when the subtitle says 40 days it literally means 40 days of short readings. SIGH. So I read it all straight through because I can't have the book for 40 days. Oh well. I still pulled out some valuable nuggets of thought. And because I have been a believer for the majority of my life a lot of the core thoughts were familiar so I don't feel like I am missing much by not reading it in 40 days. I can practice the solidarity fast without the book. It's a great fast to participate in for Lent if that is something *you* observe.
Seay takes us through the wilderness that the Israelites traveled through for 40 years during this 40 days of awareness. The Exodus passage is a popular one to use for suffering comparisons, etc. I will say that because I have been around the block more times than I can keep count of, the Exodus passage feels a bit overused to me. I get it, 40 years is easy to translate into 40 days or 40 weeks or whatever but I'd love to see an observance use a different portion of scripture! Except for Passover. That makes complete sense. But that's a minor complaint in light of the focus Seay is inviting us to have alongside of him. This 40 days of solidarity is perhaps best summed up by one of Seay's own commentaries on Jesus' message to the people in Acts. "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." (page 19) We are invited by Jesus to sort out our much in order to provide for those who don't have enough.
This is a great observance to participate in for awareness. Less awareness of ourselves and more awareness of others. More awareness of how self-absorbed we really are so that we can be challenged by Christ. He must become greater and I must become less (John 3:30), 40 days of aligning ourselves in at least one way with those who have less is one way to embrace Christ becoming greater in our lives.
Not fully realizing that when the subtitle says 40 days it literally means 40 days of short readings. SIGH. So I read it all straight through because I can't have the book for 40 days. Oh well. I still pulled out some valuable nuggets of thought. And because I have been a believer for the majority of my life a lot of the core thoughts were familiar so I don't feel like I am missing much by not reading it in 40 days. I can practice the solidarity fast without the book. It's a great fast to participate in for Lent if that is something *you* observe.
Seay takes us through the wilderness that the Israelites traveled through for 40 years during this 40 days of awareness. The Exodus passage is a popular one to use for suffering comparisons, etc. I will say that because I have been around the block more times than I can keep count of, the Exodus passage feels a bit overused to me. I get it, 40 years is easy to translate into 40 days or 40 weeks or whatever but I'd love to see an observance use a different portion of scripture! Except for Passover. That makes complete sense. But that's a minor complaint in light of the focus Seay is inviting us to have alongside of him. This 40 days of solidarity is perhaps best summed up by one of Seay's own commentaries on Jesus' message to the people in Acts. "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." (page 19) We are invited by Jesus to sort out our much in order to provide for those who don't have enough.
This is a great observance to participate in for awareness. Less awareness of ourselves and more awareness of others. More awareness of how self-absorbed we really are so that we can be challenged by Christ. He must become greater and I must become less (John 3:30), 40 days of aligning ourselves in at least one way with those who have less is one way to embrace Christ becoming greater in our lives.
January 25, 2016
I had the most amazing time completing these book and its forty day fast. I learned immeasurable things about myself, my world and my God.
The author suggests you pick a country and eat the food of its people. I did it a little differently. I did a different country every week. I ate the common food of the poorest people from Uganda, China, Russia, the Middle East, Nicaragua, and North America. I decided that I wanted to learn a phrase in the language of each region as well. I now know how to say, "I am a happy Christian" in Lugandan, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. I heavily documented my journey on Instagram and finished every post with: "For #Lent this year...I'm giving up #firstworldproblems". Some very interesting things lined up with my Lent study. World End Slavery Day happened, the Internet nearly broke trying to figure out what color the dress was, and the World Vision 6K for water on Workd Water day. I even had a special Sunday feast day where I invited members of my church and family to bring a meal and feast with me, after which I gave a little spill about everything I had learned. It was the most amazing 40 days.
If Chris Seay's goal was to open eyes, inspire hearts, and point to Jesus, then this books supersedes anything he could've hoped for. If you're feeling a like you need something to get your heart beating for other people and for God again...this is what you need!!!
The author suggests you pick a country and eat the food of its people. I did it a little differently. I did a different country every week. I ate the common food of the poorest people from Uganda, China, Russia, the Middle East, Nicaragua, and North America. I decided that I wanted to learn a phrase in the language of each region as well. I now know how to say, "I am a happy Christian" in Lugandan, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. I heavily documented my journey on Instagram and finished every post with: "For #Lent this year...I'm giving up #firstworldproblems". Some very interesting things lined up with my Lent study. World End Slavery Day happened, the Internet nearly broke trying to figure out what color the dress was, and the World Vision 6K for water on Workd Water day. I even had a special Sunday feast day where I invited members of my church and family to bring a meal and feast with me, after which I gave a little spill about everything I had learned. It was the most amazing 40 days.
If Chris Seay's goal was to open eyes, inspire hearts, and point to Jesus, then this books supersedes anything he could've hoped for. If you're feeling a like you need something to get your heart beating for other people and for God again...this is what you need!!!
April 4, 2013
I finished the book and the forty-day fast on Easter Sunday, as the author suggested. What a journey! It is hard to rate the book without rating my experience as I (mostly) kept my vow to show solidarity with the poor by eating only foods that my sponsored child in Colombia, South America, would eat; cutting out sodas, most desserts and really cutting back on eating out. It's embarrassing to even admit what I as a middle class north American think of as 'sacrifice.' The daily devotionals focusing on the Old Testament exodus and the New Testament walk with Jesus were very thought-provoking, and the vignettes of specific poor people around the world led to a whole different focus. There was also a daily prayer, and as the days passed I was amazed at the similarity between my experience and the author's...when we take the time to just stop and think about things the Lord will always lead our thoughts in the same direction--towards Him.
Reading this book and entering into the fast was a profound experience, and I am looking forward to suggesting a group reading/fasting experience for the next Lenten season. This review is probably more than y'all wanted to know about my experience, but like I said, a book like this can't just be reviewed for its grammar and syntax, but more importantly for its effect on the reader.
Reading this book and entering into the fast was a profound experience, and I am looking forward to suggesting a group reading/fasting experience for the next Lenten season. This review is probably more than y'all wanted to know about my experience, but like I said, a book like this can't just be reviewed for its grammar and syntax, but more importantly for its effect on the reader.
March 4, 2013
While this is written for Lent specifically, it can certainly be used as a daily devotion-type reading throughout the year. Chris Seay is a contemporary pastor who clearly has strong international missionary leanings. Each short passage focuses on the book of Exodus followed by a current story of a child in an underdeveloped country. Thoughtful and thought-provoking.
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May 20, 2012Didn't finish the whole devotional portion, but thought provoking. liked how he emphasized the importance of feasting and fasting. talked about how fasting should benefit others. a good reminder to let the blessings we receive overflow to bless others.
May 10, 2013
I read this with my Sunday School class over Lent. It's a wonderful study for the season, and it really makes you think about your relationship with food and how so many people in the world are hungry. Not a book easily forgotten.
November 23, 2013
A very good book. In a culture so obsessed with consumption especially food, we need to remember the poor who have little to eat. This book is a 40 day journey of self examination and renewed focus on what Jesus says about the hungry.
January 12, 2013
Great devotional book for the Lenten season. Especially if you want to fast.
November 24, 2012
A great devotional to lead your heart in contemplation of the global poor.
April 27, 2013
The author had nice notions but the book felt all over the place. I didn't end up reading it daily because I wasn't that excited to read it.
May 6, 2013
Good for discussion and awareness with friends and family. A companion to the other books along the journey to be more like Christ!
March 18, 2014
Re-reading in preparation of (and for) Lent this year. Interesting book that made me think.
October 1, 2015
This was a good book. Simple, but a great reminder about how much we consume. Also gave me an increased awareness of specific needs in this world & to focus prayer on His precious creation.
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April 21, 2012Real easy read- one to be read and re-read..quickly
May 13, 2012
Read this for Lent, very very good.
April 19, 2014
I read this book during Lent with my youth Sunday school class and another group.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews