A Place at the Table

Anyone escaping the rut of normal through fasting will appreciate Chris's spiritual depth along with his transparency about being human. [This book] is a journey of surrender to God that will usher us from rut dwelling to transformed living.

Okay, if I could buy everyone in the diocese a book for Lent it would be this one from Baker Books. The author, an American Baptist, brings together a practical challenge to fast appropriately for our circumstances, giving us a link to the situations of the others who do not have our access to resources, an invitation to grow in faith and discipleship. The book begins with four helpful preparatory chapters and the biblical material is woven into daily reflections that also include a prayer and a short piece about the situation of someone in the two thirds world. Seay focuses on the biblical texts of the book of Exodus as well as the passion narrative itself. A DVD is available for group work. I am excited to take part in the journey, to meet God and learn again the unforced rhythms of grace.

Many books interest, entertain or inform me but few connect with my heart within the first few pages. A Place at the Table did precisely that by reminding me, graciously yet powerfully, that our Western industrialised lifestyle of rampant consumerism is completely out of step with biblical values. Most of us need to re-examine with urgency our relationship with the rest of creation. Chris Seay provides the framework for us to do that with 40 days of reflections, grounded in the experience of the Exodus. Recognising that everyone in the West is addicted to something, Seay suggests that our study and prayer should be accompanied by fasting. The content of that he leaves to us, for only we know what it is that consumes us, negating our humanity and driving us far from God. Many others have explored the relationship between faith and lifestyle but Seay’s approach is highly accessible. Much of this reflects his use of The Voice, a paraphrased version of the Bible that has much to commend it. The structure of the book helps too with each day’s reading accompanied by a prayer and information from one of the poorer countries on earth. A DVD is also available to facilitate group study and there is more information on the author’s own web site An ideal book for Lent, but can you afford to wait that long? A Place at the Table has shot to the top 20 books on my shelves. I urge you to engage with it.