Thought Process toward Peace

Next Step #275: Fr. Vazken takes the listeners on a thought process regarding war and peace. It's absurd to believe that violence against violence will breed peace, but it's equally as absurd to believe that love and goodness against acts of violence can even survive. Here are some thoughts and a Christian answer to the evil that destroys hope. Also in this episode, Abp. Rowan Williams' thoughts on "persecution" and "growing up." Afterthoughts to the Avon Cancer Walk.
Song: Nune's "Cka Kesi Nman" 
Links: Inside the Pomegranate
Blog: The Other South, America
Compass: Anti War Protest
Video - Cancer, the War and The Candle
Archbishop Rowan Williams on the Persecution
Engineered by Ken T. Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The Better Candle

Next Step #274: Lighting a candle is much better than cursing the darkness. Fr. Vazken looks at two darknesses - cancer (breast) and war (Syria) in this light. He follows the light from Jesus to us, and our responsibility to be beacons of peace and love. Rev. Martin Luther King's stand on Vietnam is used as inspiration for today.
Song: Peaceful World by Lara Derbedrosian
Compass - Anti War (#39)
Team In Her Shoes
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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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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The War is Over - Merry Christmas!

Next Step #184: News that the last of the American troops are pulling out of Iraq sets the pace for this Next Step. In the aftermath of war - an opportunity to seek lasting peace by eschewing politics and opting for a true spiritual understanding of life, humanity and the offer to love. Opting out of violence. A Merry Christmas to all! The conversion of Saul and a conversion at the Children's Memorial service. Advent "additions" in preparation for Theophany. 
Poverty hits Americans 1 in 2
John Belizekjian "What Child is This?"
Ani's Bubbles - "Are You Going to Help Me Now?" - An Armenian father & son during the earthquake.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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

Identity via Something Bigger than Self

Next Step #107: Remember when “Rolling Stone” was counter-culture and war was unpopular? Developing identity in a changing world – (see The Atlantic Magazine article). The World Cup, Wimbledon and the Lakers – lessons on bringing peace and love to Kyrgyzstan and Darfur and rejecting bad-religion. Thoughts from inside the funeral procession: continuing to build the Virtual Church.
Song: “Shalakho” by Datevik http://www.naregatsi.org/Datevik/
Ani’s Bubbles: May the Budgie of Happiness Sit on Your Head, http://scrubsmag.com/author/aniburr
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net

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

Hripsime & Gayane in Iran and Korea

Next Step #54: If words turn into wars then simple acts of understanding and respect can turn into peace. With saber-rattling in Korea and political unrest in Iran, fear takes away thoughts of peace. But if peace is the ultimate equilibrium point, how is it achieved? In my life? On earth? In this podcast Fr. Vazken takes a look at two pioneering women of the early church, St. Hripsime and St. Gayane. Unwilling to compromise their principles, they made a difference in the life and quality of that life for generations to come. The H&G story is the prelude to “Etchmiadzin” – the place where Christ descends. In this podcast Fr. Vazken also challenges the listener to place respect as a condition and foundation to love through the “in his shoes” philosophy. News items: Iran, Korea, Holocaust Museum, KFI and Armenian bashing. It's all here.
Bubbles from Ani: the Philosophy of Peanuts
Music: Katmandu by Cat Stevens