Unlimited and Indefinable Nature of God

Next Step #131: Along the road to Christmas, we journey to the outer areas of the universe on an Advent journey. What is the unlimited and indefinable nature of God? No need to check your brain-in at the door: The Kingdom of Heaven is within and without you! John Lennon – 30 years after his death – how do we reconcile all the injustice in the world? Is it true, “All you need is love?” As a child of God, find one unifying message – erotic, filial and agape – the message of Love in your life. How do you stay warm from the cold? Listener Harry Hagopian shares a message for World Vision and to all! http://www.premier.org.uk/worldvision;
Advent projects and more: http://inhisshoes.org
Song: "Amen Hayr Sourp" by Vazkenian Seminarians at Lake Sevan;
Ani's Bubbles: "Short but Important Lesson";
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Changing Perception at Advent

Next Step #130: What changes? God? The Universe? Us? God - then, today and tomorrow - can we ever understand? The Armodoxy answer might surprise you.  Advent thoughts in preparation to Christmas – the shift in view and perception; Astronomers discover the universe is 3X bigger than previously thought while the fool discover too much too late (Luke 12). And the truth about lithium-ion batteries. It’s all in this podcast.
Song: "Sardarabad" by V. Khanamirian/Armenian State Dance Ensemble
Ani's Bubbles: "The Bishop's Gift";
Blog worth reading: http://banakan.blogspot.com/
Advent programs and gift giving: http://inhisshoes.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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

Clarity to See Responsibility

Next Step #78: A look at Jesus' answer to Evil in the Gospel of Luke 13 as an instruction to shift emphasis from others to ourselves and accept responsibility for our lives. Advent Sunday #2 - is a step closer to introducing meaning to the Christmas season and the value of finding a lasting “Peace on Earth.” It’s got to be more than a Christmas card greeting! Celebs that make it into the cast: Tiger Woods, the Salahis, Fred Claus and much mush (sic) more.
Song of the Day: About Light by Gor Mkhitarian
Bubbles by Ani: A Modern Thanksgiving Prayer
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net
Sponsored by Pomegranateandeye.etsy.com

Giving Thanks for Blessings

Next Step #77: The Thanksgiving and Advent edition of the Next Step. As we wrap up our third season, a time to reflect on the meaning of thanksgiving, while looking at the meaning and purpose of Advent. It's about getting ready, it's about facing the message of Love at Christmas.
Song of the Day - "Blessings" by Gor Mkhitarian
Ani's Bubbles: A Thanksgiving Prayer
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net
Sponsored by PredatorCycling.com

Let’s Give the Footnote a Chance

Next Step #75: Interview with Fr. Daniel Findikyan (part 1 of 2) – Dean of the St. Nersess Seminary (www.stnersess.edu). Fr. Daniel explains why the Armenian Church is “more than a footnote” in Christendom and World history. What does the Armenian Church have to offer the rest of the world? Here is a candid talk about the centrality of Christianity to Armenian Identity. Also on this cast, Fr. Vazken reflects on Veterans day and the need for a new metaphor, one for peace. A preview of the Advent calendar is coming.
Song: Donavan's "Universal Soldier"
Ani's Bubble - Love and Time
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for ePostle.net
Sponsored by www.PredatorCycling.com

All Things New

The New Year’s Eve Edition of The Next Step takes a look at virtual reality as composed by the demise of a household product. Can we hit a rewind button to find out? The Advent season comes to an end with the arrival of Theophany - just in time for the new year! Listen how Christ makes all things new, through His Love! Peace is just waiting to happen as Fr. Vazken weaves the listener through the first week of the New Year.

The Ox, House, and Wife on Advent

On the Great Banquet, or WWJWFHB = (What would Jesus want for his Birthday?) The answer is given in scripture and in this podcast! What were the Jesus "parents" like? We got a glimpse of them in Montrose, of all places. And what a headache they COULD have had, instead did they take the Advent prescription? Only Mary's pharmacist knows for sure? This is one of a series of podcasts following the Advent journey to Christmas. At the end of the road is the prize: A new view of Christmas - not in a stable in Bethlehem, but as the only true representation of Christ's revelation.
Music: Gor Mkhitarian plays the Lord's Prayer - a new rendition of Jesus' words. Join in for all the excitement of this Holiday cast.

Shaking Christmas Vampires

You’ll find this episode filled with “Happy Holiday” cheer, and here’s a hint: it’s not because Fr. Vazken wants to be politically correct! Christmas is coming and with the season of Advent, you’re invited to look within and at how the Christ child is being born around you and then within.

Also, in this episode we look at Vampires and the undead. As crowds line up to watch “Twilight” and emotions heat up, we compare it with the undead in the church, namely the saints, both those with a capital and a small ‘S’. The last segment of the podcast is dedicated to the 20^th Anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia (December 7, 1988) and the formation of Armenian electronic multimedia through sain.org and the foundation for In His Shoes Ministries.

Featured song: “About Light” by Gor Mkhitarian

Thanksgiving Meal: Icon of the Holy Eucharist

Well he promised and now he delivered! Fr. Vazken presents herein the holistic religion: Armenian Orthodoxy. And the Thanksgiving meal serves as the icon for this holistic expression. This is one of Fr. Vazken's fundamental teaching points and a must-listen for the neophyte as well as the veteran. This also sets the tone for the season of Advent - the 50 day period leading to Christmas. And Fr. Vazken extends another promise -follow the journey of Advent with us and Christmas will never have the same meaning. You'll understand it not as event in First Century Bethlehem, but as the essential event leading to the ultimate expressions of love. In this episode of the Next Step, you'll learn of the incredible similarities between grandma's house (over the river and through the woods) and God's everlasting table.

New music from Gor Mkhitarian titled, “Snow” from the upcoming Spirit album as well as a track from Mariam Matossian’s In the Light album titled “Oosdi Gookas”. The Christmas concert is less than a month away. Tickets available from ItsMySeat.com