Dreaming Beyond a Speech and into Syria

Next Step #273: 50 years after Rev. Dr. Martin Luther Kings Jr's "I have a Dream Speech," Fr. Vazken shares some thoughts and offers a challenge to dream of peace - bringing about peace without the use of violence. With the imminent threat of war in Syria, a candid look at our faith - do we really believe that we can overcome evil with love? Do we believe there are non-violent alternatives to threats of death and annihilation? Also a discussion of chickens and headless existence (in the context of the Armenian Church and Armodoxy)
Song: "Dream Song" by Joan Baez
The Speech
Transcript: http://www.inhisshoes.org/documents/MLK_dream.pdf
Harry Hagopian Podcast MENA: http://www.premier.org.uk/mena
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Salty Blessings Abound

Next Step #272: St. Mary's Assumption Feast was truly a 3M-er: Memorable, Mystical and Magical. Fr. Vazken reflects on the feast which included the blessing of the harvest. Linda Zadoian, owner of Madame Kubah (and of Compass fame) joins a candid discussion about blessings and goodness. A small bowl of rice and flavorful conversation add to a mix about faith. Also in the episode: Myth Busting - the truth about grapeblessing service beyond the Northern Hemisphere.
Song: Krisdos ee Mech - New release of Gomidas Badarak by the Western Diocese
Sermon on Assumption
Madame Kubah: http://www.madame-kubah.com/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Chezok Factor: Put Your Name on It

Next Step #260:  Personalized Coke and hate speech on Facebook - protests and financial withholding bring about change in the market, and why not the Church? Foster families and children - an epidemic in the works. Datev Outreach and the "Godparent" oath of faith, hope and love.
Song: "Spirit in the Dark" Aretha Franklin with Get Well wishes
Anush's Pomegrante Seeds: Lessons From Vegas
Reference Articles:
Companies Pull Facebook Ads Over Violent Content
Personalized Coca-Colas, But Not If Your Name Is Mohammed Or Maria
Campaigners Force Facebook Into Hate Speech
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Goal Oriented Imperfection

Next Step #245: Using symbols and myths to explain the mysteries in life gets a bit confusing when Armenian churches light some bonfires in the back yard. Mid Winter. Purification, Presentation, Valentine's and Adam & Eve all come together for today's show. The Pope's resignation begs the question of running the Perfect Body of Christ with imperfect people. Stripping away the imperfections and finding the bulls-eye in the middle of our faith. "There's something beautiful in the Armenian Church but..." was the general consensus last week, and this week there's more. The Curtain in the Armenian Church - and how we have become the curtain -the reason for separation from paradise. In New Mexico - figuring out the Catholic Church and in Paradise figuring out Adam & Eve's identity. It's about time the Armenian alphabet adds a "th" and "w" sound. All in this week's edition.
Anush's Pomegranate Seed: "Amazing Love"
Song: Schubert - Grammy Award Winning artist Kim Kashkashian
Kim Kashkashian Grammy Award
More on  Life, Love & Sayat Nova - Next Step #35
10 Worst Popes of All Time
Lenten Journey - www.armodoxy.blogspot.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Strip Away to Faith

Next Step #234: Did you survive Black Friday & Cyber Monday? Now engage in the art of belly-dancing - it's a strip -tease to uncover faith. The New Israel is not a place, so seek your mind on God's Kingdom first. Issues of identity and belonging in a pluralistic society are discussed. How to read the Bible: avoid the literal and find God. MLK Retreat and a vending machine that dispenses caviar and snails - all in the mix in this Next Step.
Pomegranate Seeds by Anush: The Nest: Half Empty or Half Full?
Song: Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia - "The sea of life always tosses me about"
Harry Hagopian blogs:
GAZA: http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire
MENA: http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/mena28
Compass #33 - Belonging Dilemma and the Kingdom
Caviar vending machines in Burbank
Jethro Tull 40th Anniversary TAAB
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Olympic Size Divorce

Next Step #217: Olympic size problems are in the 100th of seconds. Winners and losers are defined by milliseconds. We're not as tolerant when it comes to divorce - "hard-heartedness" prevents us from opting for faith, hope and love. Following up on the "Divorce Comma" from last week's lectionary reading - Matthew 19. Armodoxy answering the questions we ask. Armodoxy as a logical approach to daily dilemmas.
Sermon: The Divorce Comma
Song: Ov Siroon Siroon, Adiss & Vatche
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Evangelizing Apples, Life and Death

Next Step 215: Armodoxy in evolution - Celebrating the Priest as the Celebrant of Life. The wisdom of vartabed/kahana structure. Hovhaness Tomanian's battle against backwardness. Transfigured trilogy - Faith, Hope and Love. Developing evangelists based on the Apple mystique. Passings: Andy Griffith, Ernest Borgnine and Fr. Peter Gilquist.
Song: "Gadag Bar" Vanoush Khanamirian 
Coming Home
Rethinking Armenian Protestantism
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Go Ask Alice

Next Step #211: A 35 year old debt is paid back, across generations and across continents with the passing of two gracious ladies Alice & Freda.
Song: Yerginkn Ambel E by Artur Sedrakian
Compass: "Tit for Tat"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The Crystal Within

Next Step #197:  An interview with Linda Maxwell, co-founder of We Care for Youth and from Bliss Unlimited. Linda has spent her life inspiring and motivating people, primarily young people, in a path of responsibility and action, all motivated by her deep seated belief and faith in the good. Listen in on this conversation about meaning and purpose, as Linda discusses her recent retreat in India as well as her life and her work. This is a coffee-break within a coffee-break.
Part 1 of this Conversation - Next Step #168 
Song: "Distant Lands" by Armen Chakmakian
We Care for Youth: http://www.wecareforyouth.org/
Bliss Unlimited
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Resonating to Turn Condemnation to Salvation

Next Step #159: The power that resides in each of us, is also part and fabric of the universe, it resides outside of us. Belief and faith means going beyond the ordinary and the expected. Armodoxy is the path that challenges us to find harmony within ourselves and without – seeking the impossible and resonating with the harmonics that otherwise don’t exist. Tapping into the Jesus principle of Resurrection. “Praying Solves all of my Problems.” – Pope Kirollos.  The “loaded” prayer of Christ. Only Christ can change the ugliness of condemnation and death to the beauty of salvation and life.  Using examples from his recent experiences with health issues, Fr. Vazken talks about the power to overcome evil, cancer, and darkness in the Armodox tradition. Armodoxy’s raison d'etre and Etchmiadzin as mission.
Music: Bazzini's "La Ronde des Lutins'; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vengerov-Virtuosi-Antonio-Bazzini/dp/B00005K3Q0
Opening: Arax “Vaspouragan” http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/arax2
Lucine Zakarian “Xorhurt Xorin”
Ani's Bubbles: Keep Hope Alive (Believing in Magic)
Support 18 year old Gegham: https://www.facebook.com/gennext
Theme Song by Varoujan Movsesian
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Doubts From The Desert Floor

Next Step #152: From the desert floor broadcasting the message of Armodoxy. Part 1 of an exploration and unraveling of the Armenian Orthodox faith – what is the message under the institution. Will & Kate, Osama’s capture start a discussion of ethics and morals that will continue. Thomas doubted but also got an answer. This is a special edition which starts off a series of Questions in Faith.
Music: “Have a Little Heart” by Melineh Kurdian
Ani’s Bubbles: Sense of a Goose
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Moving from Faith to Belief in the New Year

Next Step #134: Can we learn from big business? How about a clearance sale for the soul? Clear your inventory of everything that’s not necessary to make room for the new models – including a move from faith to belief. Explore a recap of different sorts, as Fr. Vazken talks about walking in the shoes of others during this Christmas season as a prelude to the command to love.  Moving from Faith to Belief and make love the victor in your life. Fr. Kourken at year 1 of passing. Insanity the Pelosi Way – why it’s time to stop the insanity and start the power within. More on lithium batteries. Finally, a vision for LIGHT in the New Year!
Want More? Sign up for the MLK Retreat sponsored by In His Shoes at www.InHisShoes.org
Song: "Tag Haroutian, Nor Tzaghig” by Armenian Duduk Quartet
Ani's Bubbles: "Boxcar Derby Prayer"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Firm, Grounded and Established in Love

Next Step #127: On Veterans Day (and the last of the binaries) - reflections on war and tears shed for a special soldier. The godfather marries off his goddaughter – lessons from scripture, from God and being “firm in faith, grounded in hope and established in love.” Godparents listen up – you’re not there to protect, but to push your child toward the ultimate Sacrament of Life. A podcast of a personal nature as Fr. Vazken heads off to niece Amanda’s wedding, here’s a special meditation for life’s transitional moments.  Additionally – taking a holistic approach to the Holy Badarak.
Song: “Harsaniki Par”by Shiraz: http://www.shirazyerk.com
Ani's Bubbles: "The Pencil"
Veteran’s Tears
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Secrets for Avoiding the Void

Next Step #115: What's the secret for making a church "work"? Could you bring it down to a word or two? Education? Faith? Commitment? Sincerity? Also in this podcast: Watching the Asteroids, Contributing to Confidence, Reclaiming childhood ideology. 
Song: “Going Up the Country by Canned Heat”;
Ani's Bubbles: “Obstacles in our Path”;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Etchmiadzin is a Dream

Next Step #105: Skip the Geography lesson. Don’t stress the History lesson. The Feast of Etchmiadzin is about making dreams come true. What is your vision for life? Here's a step-by-step approach to making dreams come true by dreaming faith, hope and love. Rising from the pit of life, or is that the Diocese partying on Ascension day? Letters from listeners expose hints at Armodoxy and In His Shoes.  Celebrating 2 years and running – join the celebration, you’re invited!
Music: "Etchmiadzin" by Seminarians of Vazkenian Seminary at Lake Sevan;
Ani's Bubbles: "Somebody to Love";
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Post Easter Focus Adjustment

Next Step #96: A Post-Easter walk around the Armenian Church locally, and the Christian Church globally. Making the Good News of the Empty Tomb a way of life. Correcting our outlook with a focus on the intention of what Easter and our faith is all about. More possibilities of a virtual church as In His Shoes goes to the Southern Hemisphere.
Song: Bingyol by Zulal;
Ani's Bubbles "Island Rescue";
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net;
Sponsored by Professor Nicholas and Janine Economides.

Easter - Beginnings for Faith, Hope and Love

Next Step #95: Holy Week Edition, looking at our Lenten Journey, culminating with the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Tribute to Jesus Christ Superstar at age 40 - how the questions are just as important as the answers. Abp. Tiran's admonition to not discount reason. The Jehovah’s Witness target the Armenian community in Los Angeles. Here arises our challenge to REACT to the EMPTY TOMB by making Easter a celebration of Faith, Hope and Love alive in our lives every day. No April Fools jokes today!
Music: "Der Voghormya" - Focused Vision;
Ani's Bubbles - Nothing can separate us from God.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Cheerleading with the Evangelists

Next Step #86: Cheerleading may offer hope, but the church and the Christian have the added challenge of adding faith and love to the mixture. Haiti, Conan and Leno, Obama’s State of the Union, are all in this one, as they lead the discussion to the bigger question of evangelization. Fr. Vazken traces the history of proclaiming the Good News, from Apostolic speeches to the printed Bible to New Media. Even some comments from “The Tech Guy” Leo Laporte and a drive-by by Agent 86, Max Smart.
Music: “Today is the Feast of Nativity” by the Junior Choir of the Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Church;
Ani’s Bubbles – The Carpenter’s Glasses;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net

Christmas Eve: Finding Hope in the Manger

Next Step #81: The Christmas Eve Edition - Looking and finding hope in the manger. Why “In His Shoes” is a way of life and how “respect” is the predecessor of love. The Christ child is a revelation of faith, hope and love – concisely placed in the manger for us all. Why January 6? Why December 25? And then finding Christ beyond the manger. Reflections of the newly deceased Fr. Kourken Mouradian – from Khorvirab to Glendale.
Song: "Christmas Song" by Jethro Tull
Silent Night by Sarah McLachlan from Wintersong Album
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Sponsored by Pomegranateandeye.etsy.com

Simons of our Crosses

Next Step #68: Part 3 of 3 on the Holy Cross - Looking for help in carrying our crosses and realizing we are the only ones who can climb them in the end. Fr. Vazken uses the story of Jesus' Crucifixion to guide this meditation about help – Simon - in our sufferings - and finding purpose in a life style that makes us each, Simons of Cyrene. Also: A follow up to an exorcism, becoming a story of faith. A bit about end time theology with a look to the future podcasts as well.
Bubbles - Ani does cow imitations in "That's not my problem"
Song of the Day: "Saturday and Sunday" by the students of the Vazgenian Seminary at Lake Sevan.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan.
Sponsored by Pomegranate & Eye. Mention The Next Step podcast and receive a 15% discount - which will be donated to our ministry.