31 December 2009 Issue - Christian Vegetarian Association Update Newsletters

1/14 TX Wellington Kutless Christian Rock Concert

1/15 IL Peoria FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/16 MI Detroit FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/16 TX Lubbock The Afters Christian Rock Concert

1/16 PA Mifflintown Seventh Day Slumber Christian Rock Concert

1/17 PA Sellersville Jars of Clay Christian Rock Concert

1/18 WI Madison FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/20 MN Duluth FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/21 WI LaCrosse FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/22 LA Monroe Red Christian Rock Concert

1/22 CA Anaheim Seventh Day Slumber Christian Rock Concert

1/23 IL Effingham Seventh Day Slumber Christian Rock Concert

1/23 MN Mankato FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/23 TX Longview Red Christian Rock Concert

1/24 IL Rockford FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/24 TX Abilene Red Christian Rock Concert

1/26 NE Grand Island FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/27 IA Cedar Rapids FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/27 CA Monterey Red Christian Rock Concert

1/29 NV Las Vegas Red Christian Rock Concert

1/29 IN Evansville FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/29 LA New Orleans Seventh Day Slumber Christian Rock Concert

1/20 LA Lake Charles Seventh Day Slumber Christian Rock Concert

1/30 IN Ft Wayne FlyLeaf Christian Rrock Concert

1/30-31 AZ Phoenix RAGE Music Festival 2010

2/1 KY Lexington FlyLeaf Christian Rock Concert

2/4-5 TN Nashville Fire Conference-Benny Hinn

2/4 MO Kansas City Kutless Christian Rock Concert

2/4 MO Kansas City Casting Crowns Christian Rock Concert

2/5 OK Tulsa Kutless Christian Rock Concert

2/6 TN Nashville Miracle Service-Benny Hinn

2/27 IL Belleville O.L.Snows Confirmation Rally & Retreat

1/28 PA Reading Winter Jam & Third Day Christian Rock Concert

1/29 OH Cleveland Winter Jam & Third Day Christian Rock Concert

1/29 NC Lenoir The Hoppers Gospel Concert

1/30 PA University Park Third Day Winter Jam 2010

1/31 VA Norfolk Third Day Winter Jam 2010

2/1 FL Palmetto The Hoppers Gospel Concert

2/4 OH Cincinnati Third Day Winter Jam 2010

2/5 OH Columbus Third Day Winter Jam 2010

2/6 NC Greensboro Third Day Winter Jam 2010

2/11 GA Augusta Third Day Winter Jam 2010

This reading includes the following: “For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things on earth.”

This passage is one of many which describe a vision in which wisdom and insight reveal what our faith teaches is the divine goal for creation – unity. Related passages include Isaiah 11:6-9, Matthew 6:10, and Revelation 21:4. The Genesis 1-3 creation story describes how humanity and the rest of creation “fell” from a perfect state of peace and harmony into a world in which everyone struggles to survive. In that struggle, there is suffering and death, which the Bible never describes as desirable. Instead, suffering and death are tragic consequences of living in an imperfect world. How we respond to the world’s imperfections is the essence of morality.

Countless times each day we are confronted by choices that can increase or decrease the amount of suffering and death in the world. Similar to other faiths, a central component of Christian faith and practice is leading more just and righteous lives. Indeed, the depth of our faith largely reflects whether or not we reject Christianity’s moral teachings. Therefore, The Christian Vegetarian Association’s mission is partly to encourage people to accept Christ by showing them that Christianity teaches boundless love, compassion, mercy, and peace. Another part is to bring the faith of Christ to Christians, many of whom have hearts hardened by amoral, secular standards of behavior or compassionless teachings from ministers.