Venting Advent

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #393: The Advent Season is one of preparation for Christmas. Here Fr. Vazken discusses the season and Christmas as a living expression for today. First a look at how the stories evolved over time from Bethlehem to Rudolph from a one-liner about the Inn to a Technicolor movie with barmaids and patrons. The Winter Solstice and the January 6 / December 25 shift. Definitely a Christmas primer – filled with information and spirituality.
Cover Photo “Solstice at Sevan” by Fr. Vazken
Spirit of Christmas by Element Band
Ring Solstice Bells: www.JethroTull.com
Martin Luther King Jr. Christmas Eve Sermon (text) (audio)
Does God Have a Bicycle? by Ida Nalbandian
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

When a Cross is Not a Cross

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #392:  Can the symbol of Christianity mean any more or any less when elevated in a battle field or in our life. Fr. Vazken reflects on comments made by Red Cross reps and the challenges for Christianity and Armodoxy. Also: Joyless services – how alternative services can bring back some of the missing celebration. Ostrich mentality: Watch out, the cheetah gets the best part for her meal.
“Bluegrass Christmas” by Craig Duncan
Sample Alternative Services
American Red Cross
Western Diocese
Holiday Boutique – Towns Burr Gallery
Pomegranate & Eye Jewelry
Suzie’s Marmalade & Jams
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Abandoning the Cloud

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #391: Cloud storage and cloudy religion. Bringing the faith down to Earth where it was intended to be in a quest for peace. Fr. Vazken shares thoughts on infinity and immortality, dissected from terabytes to kilobytes to the soul that makes up the human animal. San Bernardino shooting, the Pope on fundamentalism, the Funeral Service of the Armenian Church, A reading of Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s “The Duckling”; gods from Mt. Olympus to Christianity.
Cover Photo: “Aragil on the West Side” by Fr. Vazken
Song: Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in D minor.
Pope on Fundamentalism
San Bernardino shooting
LA Times on Prayer after Shootings
Data Measurements
Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s “The Duckling”
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Pilgrims before Thanksgiving

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #390: In this Thanksgiving edition, pilgrims move throughout California in a spiritual quest – Central Valley & Northern Cal Churches are the sacred spots for this group – Tehlirian, Sassountzi & the Mt. Davidson cross. Aussie is remembered at a pre-Thanksgiving thanksgiving meal. Pope Francis comments on Christmas as a charade in the shadow of war and violence.
Song: “Amen Hayr Sourp” by Vazkenian Seminarians at Lake Sevan
7 Churches in 3 Days Pilgrimage
“I Love My Dog” by Cat Stevens
Pope Francis on Christmas charade
Next Step #337 interview with Rik Adriaans (Nov 20, 2014)
Cover photo “Pilgrims at the Cross” by Fr. Vazken
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

The Problem of Thanksgiving

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #389: In the midst of war, refugee crisis and terrorism, we’re told to pray. Here’s an Armodox approach to prayer that brings responsibility back home. Fr. Vazken expands on the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, and common misconceptions found in Hollywood and around the world. Also – about pilgrimage and the need to retreat and regroup.
Song: Franz Bdoyan “Qele Qele” Roots of Armenian Jazz
Photo: “Fallen at Ani” by Fr. Vazken Movsesian
St. Francis Prayer
Conan in Armenia
7/3 Pilgrimage
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Preservatives Added or Not

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #388: Keep the faith! Not to be confused with preserve the faith! Fruits, meats, vegetables, even photos are ways of preserving – even pickling – the dead. Fr. Vazken gives food for thought as we build monuments and museums to preserve and miss the opportunity to live. Also, in this episode – The power of the Eucharist, and the Delivery System of the Church.
“Armenian Patterns” by Karen Markaryan
Pope on the Eucharist
LA Times “Matagh” article
Armenian National Anthem
Leveraging Love
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Stinkin’ Badges & Some Nice Animals

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #387: Function over form: Going beyond the wrapper to look what’s inside. Here is an explanation of madagh in the Armodox tradition. Thanksgiving replaces sacrifice through Madagh. Candid talk about tragedy-response through the practice of giving, sacrifice and walking in the shoes of others. A Prelude to the Thanksgiving season, Advent and Christmas. Luke 14 – invitees to the banquet and the Matthew 25 judgement.
Khandi Yerk – Armenian Traditional Songs
Relief for Richard Pananian’s Family
Back Door Angel: www.JethroTull.com
Neil DeGrass Tyson on Late Show
LA Times Sensationalizes the news
Badges
Cover photo: Moush Garden by Fr. Vazken
Our feed has moved! Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email to continue receiving notifications when new episodes are published.
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Authority of Service

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #386: “The only authority is the authority of service, the only power is the power of the Cross” says Pope Francis to the Chaldean Synod. The usual is still unusual. A discussion on humility and the problems it presents in the world today. Readings from John 13, Philippians 2, and Nersess Shnorhali’s Aysor Anjar. In His Shoes and Armodoxy find a voice in the hurting world. Examples from the Last Supper and the Fool and his barns.
Nvair: “We Sing Armenian Church Songs”
Pope’s Address to Chaldean Synod
Conan on ArmComedy
Dr. Harry Hagopian, “What Christian’s can learn from Olive Tree”
“Aysor Anjar” translation thanks to Robert Boyajian and Hovhaness Khosdelian
Fr. Vazken on Halloween: NS#282  and Blog
Our feed has moved! Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email to continue receiving notifications when new episodes are published.
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Dreaming Science Fiction to Science Fact

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #385: Alpha Centauri never seemed so distant. Mind Boggling distances and numbers. Einstein and religiosity. Millennials today: Always being ON: Forget about the Youth “being the future” – yesterday was McFly’s day in the future – 10/21/2015 and the Future of the Church transcends time! Good News: the Equal Opportunity expression of Christ. Fr. Vazken connects the dots between them all.
Song: “Heavenly Sunday” by Gor Mkhitarian
Tabetha Boyajian discovery from afar
Sirach 43
Alpha Centauri
Back to the Future
Millennials – Time Magazine
“Stop Worrying about the Millennials” (Christianity Today)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Photo: Helix Nebula in Infrared
Our feed has moved! Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email to continue receiving notifications when new episodes are published.
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand! 

Texaco Had It

/0 Comments/in

Next Step #384: About Trust, Worry and Prayer. Connecting dots between the ancient and the contemporary. Psalm 25 – “Trusting the Lord.” Steve Harvey weighs in on prayer and Charlie Brown on worrying. Texaco & TWA models too… It all come together for this edition of the Next Step.
Song: “Im Horodig Yarus” by Armenian Public Radio
Bible References
Jesus on worrying
Psalm 25
Charlie Brown cartoon
Our feed has moved! Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email to continue receiving notifications when new episodes are published.
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!