Barking at Caravans

Next Step #231: Extending the concept of "undanik" to "under heaven" in understanding the family of God (Storm Sandy and walking In His Shoes). Fr. Vazken explains that Matthew 12:46-50 is not a lesson in biology as rude as it may seem. Extending Christian values and Church to Genocides and wars in Darfur and Syria as well as the death in our own backyards via In His Shoes. The Obama Victory: The silly-willy Armenian politics that bark at the caravan. "As for me," says Fr. Vazken, "I was there with Obama - no brag, just fact." Youth and the Church - the problem beyond Armenian Church. More on the crimes of the priest who was defrocked. Grandpa & FDR Democrats/Grandma' baklava for James Roosevelt - it was her thanks for the last station of the caravan.
Sermon: "Politics, God & the Kingdom"  
Song: "Caravan" by Armen Chamakian 
Obama's Acceptance Speech
Sun Sash: http://sunsash.blogspot.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

Carnal Ethics

Next Step #207: Beginning steps in sexual and reproductive ethics, in light of Obama's evolutionary revelation. Expressions of gay lifestyle and tolerance through the Armodox lens. Another lens points to the Eclipse of the Sun. Reflections on the Pentecost feast and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
Song: "Amen. Hayr Sourp" by Vazkenian Seminarians
Ani's Bubbles: How much do you make? 
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Chapter Books to the Rescue

Next Step #205: Obama evolves on homosexual marriages while others evolve on the genocide recognition. Gay and Lesbian Marriages and the Armodoxy Response; "Chapter" books have the answer. More on Mary Madelyn's status update from the Holy Sepulcher. Armodoxy surfaces.
Song: "Sevani Tzugnors Baru" - 1970 Personal Recording
Ani's Bubbles: Touchstone
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Post Easter Victory for Victims

Next Step #151: Easter celebrations are over, Genocide commemorations have stopped, but the real work of In His Shoes continues in highlighting Resurrection over Crucifixion. Recap and commentary on the Fast for Darfur. Defining the Church as the Sacred Body of Christ, and the overwhelming power of national aspirations. And in the world… Prince William gets married, Obama proves he’s a citizen and Superman denounces his US Citizenship.
Music by Steve Hampar
Ani's Bubble - Angel Made Quilt.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Solstice Celebration: Light, Love and Life

Next Step #80: Winter Solstice Edition - Celebrating Love, Light and Life - The Birth of the Son and the Birth of the Sun are looked at through the lens of Armenian Orthodoxy. Children’s memorial: never letting these precious lives be forgotten, in real and concrete expressions. Shall we stop dreaming and imagining PEACE, now that Obama has given an excuse for violence? A look at Christmas shopping: WWJWFHB? And how an 8 year old changed his Christmas from getting to giving (to the homeless). This is a podcast in a series of Advent messages with a very fresh and unique flavor.
Linked info at:
Forgiveness: www.7x77.org;
Nataline Sarkisyan: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/;
Vahagn Setian: http://vahagnfoundation.org/;
Compassionate Friends: www.compassionatefriends.org;
In His Shoes: www.InHisShoes.org
Ani's Bubble – A Child Explains God
Song: Gor Mkhitarian's "About Light"
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for www.epostle.net
Sponsored by www.Pomegranateandeye.etsy.com

Reconciling with Absurdity

Next Step #79: Reconciling peace and war, love and evil, God and humanity – it’s the Next Step in the Advent journey. A look at Obama receiving the Nobel Peace prize while sending troops to Afghanistan; a murder in Glendale and a Genocide in Sudan – is peace possible without violence? Without war? And what about Bab Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People of 2009? This Next Step tries to reconcile it all. And what about Jesus’ Wish List for Christmas? If he’s the real “Birthday Boy” – how about a gift for him? A look at the great banquet in Luke 14.
Ani’s Bubbles: What then, Senor?
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net
Sponsored by Pomegranateandeye.etsy.com

Dreaming Fathers for Peace

Next Step #55: Fathers Dreaming of Peace – A look at Fatherhood through St. Joseph’s lens. In this podcast, Fr. Vazken explores parenting by looking at an individual’s relationship with God – in our ability to dream of the impossible and allow others to do the same. What happens when Jon leaves Kate? And what about the eight? You’ll find this podcast with a formula for real peace, whether in your life or in our world. Darfuri children make a phone call to President Obama – are you listening Mr. Obama?
Music: Our Father from the Focused Vision CD. And preview of a new theme song? (You’ll have to listen for this one.)
Ani with her Bubbles and much more.

A Look Back at Year One

Next Step #53: Wrapping up the first year of the Next Step Podcast, Fr. Vazken gives a moving account of a young cancer victim and the “Last Temptation of Christ.” What are the real questions that need to be asked? A look back on the year – from Darfur, to Obama, to new spiritual music, to messages of hope – Year ONE of the Next Step is only a step to year TWO coming up.
Guest William Archila reads from “The Art of Exile”
Music – John Bilezikjian rendition of Malanguena from the Neo Classical Oud album.

“Circular Breathing”

Next Step #50: Can the discipline of inhaling while exhaling have applications outside of music? The Armenian duduk and the Scottish bagpipe meet each other on common ground. But when Obama goes to Notre Dame, or the Pope goes to Jerusalem, can there be “common ground?” It’s all about the drone that keeps a monotone unchanging intonation throughout a song, a hymn, a chant or the sound of the universe. Today’s message ends with the story of Jesus’ Ascension. While Matthew 28 records the last words of Jesus on Earth, just before Ascending, the call to preach is better defined by His first words, as recorded in Mark 1.
Music: Gor Mkhitarian’s “Yeraz” (Dream)
Ani’s Bubles: “Stone Soup”

Small Steps Lead to Big Dreams

Barack Obama is President! A dream comes true. Mines explode in Karabagh ending the dreams of others. Fr. Vazken returns from the Obama campaign trail in Las Vegas and talks about the enduring power of dreams. Jesus tell us, "I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24 Through this sacrifice it produces much, transforming into something greater. What are the sacrifices made by people in our past? Why did the good die young? “Abraham, Martin and John,” by Dion is featured in this podcast. Also, a special interview with Gala Danivola, Program Coordinator in Nagorno Karabagh for The HALO Trust, an organization dedicated to removing landmines and other unexploded ammunitions from former conflict zones, talks about their work.

Beneath the Halloween Mask of Life

Boo! This podcast in not designed to scare you, only to make you think. Here's an opportunity to examine the masks we all wear in life. Fr. Vazken carefully removes the layers that guard and protect us and beneath are no monsters but a pure heart given by God. A unique exposé on the Obama/McCain campaigns in light of the faith vote. Armenian Orthodoxy extends to this discussion of Halloween, masks, and fear.

Mindless Obsessions vs. Serious Issues

It’s a mashup this week, but not of the digital web application variety! Religion, Politics (yes, we’re in that season), Destiny or Not, and Responsibility are all a part of this episode. And of course this is a podcast on Orthodoxy, so find out how it’s timeless; transcending time and space. The totality of the experience is much greater than its parts. It’s an open invitation to plug in to this experience.

Obama's Deeds, McCain's Words, Christ's Teachings

Next Step #11 - Politics, Religion, Faith and State - is it all a mix or what? Just over a week ago the two presidential candidates, Obama and McCain, entered into a conversation on faith and politics with Rick Warren of Saddleback Church. In particular, Warren asks each of the men about their faith and what it means to them. McCain says it means that he is “saved and forgiven”. Obama’s response also includes an “obligation to embrace not just words but deeds.” Fr. Vazken makes this question the focus of this episode. Get ready for the Orthodox worldview on faith, salvation, and forgiveness!
The songs in this episode include Spirit in the Dark performed by the Blind Boys of Alabama, and a rendition of Mogats Shogen by the Armenian a cappella group Zulal.