Scraping off Barnacles for the New Year

Next Step #238: Information deliverance shift: videos, art, free-flow, spooky elements, to the written version - the documentation and articulation of the Message. Little Vartan's question - can you get to heaven without dying? The Psalm - "Lord if you open my lips, I will sing Your praise" or thunderbolts from up on high? Watching "Les Miserables" on the Christmas Day. Revelation of homosexuality and the Church by a senior Armenian clergyman. Scraping off the barnacles reveals a Ship - and finding the VESSEL beneath - it'll take you on a ride to beyond!
Janine's blog: http://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/
Compass #20 with Archbishop Vatche 
Sun Sash - www.sunsash.blogspot.com
Song: Auld Lang Syne by Kenny G
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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Solstice Bells Ring For the Light

Next Step #237: "The Christmas/Solstice Special" Finding the courage to celebrate Christmas after the Sandy Hook (Newtown) Shooting. Ringing the Bells of Etchmiadzin - the new Bethlehem: Fr. Vazken celebrates the Solstice and life after the end of the Mayan Calendar. Obama's mention of Jesus comes after the silence of the clergy. A Christian response to evil and the challenge to walk In His Shoes as Christ did. The date of Christmas that is beyond the Jan 6/Dec 25 debate - in an answer given by St. Gregory the Illuminator.
Links to topics in today's show:
In His Shoes.org
Karekin I on Etchmiadzin & Bethlehem
Fr. Vazken's Sermon on Shooting
10 Girls Killed in Afghanistan
President Obama at Sandy Hook Interfaith Service
Today is the Solstice
Jethro Tull Christmas Album
SunSash.blogspot.com
Song: The Light by Gor Mkhitarian
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

The Dreaming Church

Next Step #236: When the Church refuses to let you dream, it's missing the Call of Christ - the ultimate dreamer. Reject the stifling Church: A series of events in Fr. Vazken's life push him to this interesting development of ideas about dreams and reality.  A shake up to realize the Mission of the Church, the Function of the Priest and the Purpose in life is in dreaming and allowing God's blessings. In this episode - Blood pressure goes DOWN in church and UP in church meetings. The gift of the Drummer Boy, Epostle.net is backed up.  Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band +45, Ravi Shankar's passing. OK, we got it: The third king is Melcon!
Links:
Always With Me Newsletter subscribe: feedback@epostle.net
Sunsash #74 - Accomplishments
Church Attendance & Blood Pressure
"Little Drummer Boy" by Joan Baez
Jethro Tull Christmas Album
12/12/12 to 7/7/7 - Forgiveness: http://7x77.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

From Kings to Humanity

Next Step #235: The story of King Apkar in the context of Christ and life today. The WRITINGS of Jesus - to Apkar and the "wish list." Tradition, Scripture and Church. The escalation of violence in Syria and who will mourn the children of war? The Children's Memorial Service. A rock is thrown from Armenia to Turkey and a message comes back. The Annual Christmas Wish List: unlike any other! Ken is back and Suzie's not on strike!
Anush's Pomegranate "Glad Tidings"
Song: Gharabekian & Mondelci - Armenian Chant
Children's Memorial Service
Sun Sash on Humanity
King Apkar Story
On Sts. Thaddeus & Bartholomew
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

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
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

Thanksgiving Thoughts from Bob to Bob

Next Step #233: On a day remembered for the Kennedy Assassination, JFK sets the tone with thoughts on Thanksgiving. But there are more thoughts - from Bob, a homeless man on the streets of LA. Fr. Vazken explores beyond the traditions and connects with the models of thanksgiving old and new. Pilgrims to Black Friday ego-feasts, laced with Saturation Point Theology - as expressed by Christ in the parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12). A plea from John Lennon to look for peace instead of the extra TV, coupled with a plea to make God real everyday - not in a Telethon Way. This is the Thanksgiving edition of the Next Step!
"Lessons from Bob" by Anush Avejic
Song: Flora Martirosian - "Dzovastghik" 
President Kennedy's 1961 Thanksgiving Proclamation
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! 

Reconciling with the senseless and the unnatural

Next Step #232: An emotional unwinding of ideas at the death of a little girl. Fr. Vazken explores this tragedy from a pastoral standpoint, bringing together Armenian Orthodox themes - Discovery of the Cross and the raising of the sleeping child (Luke 8).  The vastness of the universe and a solar eclipse point to a unique ministry to the childless - a calling NOBODY wants. Wars, genocide, health, this time the page won't turn. Other topics: The success of the Jehovah's Witness. Participating vs. observing - and selling the product. The Supermarket model of Orthodoxy and the need to specialize to survive in the global marketplace of religion. And the child who selected a (Coptic) Pope. 
Song: Paul McCartney's "Calico Skies" 
Selecting the Coptic Pope
Dr. Harry Hagopian on the new Pope
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio!