Baby Dreams with Calculated Risks

Next Step #326 – September 4, 2014

A baby is born and a new opportunity for hope. The wonders of the creation are explained in a mix of hopes and dreams made real. Fr. Vazken discloses method for getting a Pearl out of Armenia – an upcoming trip by the end of the month. Calculated risks are important means of doing what you need to do. On the eve of the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, this episode is about hope for goodness and health.
Song: Raffi’s “Every Child” (for Arek)
100 Year Journey
Avon Breast Cancer Walk
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Baby Arek’s Foot

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Overload Thinking

Next Step #325 – August 28, 2014

Borrowing from Curly’s “I’m trying to think but nothing happens,” Fr. Vazken talks about the information-overload and the power of the Holy Badarak (Divine Liturgy) in meditation and making it happen. The names of St. Mary. Labor day – a very special one for a niece in labor! Encore presentation of Ani Bubbles.
Song: “Garoun” by Lav Eli – www.gormusic.com
Assumption of St. Mary Sermon
Archives of Next Step at www.epostle.net
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Religion in the Warplace

Next Step #324 – August 21, 2014

An Armodox approach to war, violence and religion with the overwhelming news of ISIS, war and genocide, destruction, killings… turning-off scenes of obscene violence of war and destruction is a luxury that many are exercising. Time to take a serious look at what you believe about religion and God in the face of such obscenity. When God is created in man’s image the violence erupts… case in point, look at the Old Testament. Saudi Arabian cleric proclaims the #1 enemy of Islam…. you’ll be surprised who’s been putting up the wall and what we can learn. Fr. Vazken takes the ALS Ice Water Challenge – and a lady named Rose.
Song: Gor Mkhitarian’s “Too Achk” from the Spirit Album: www.gormusic.com
New Gor project/music
ALS Challenge
President Obama on Isis – 8/7/14
President Obama on execution of journalist
Karabagh open to Yezidi refugees
In His Shoes – www.InHisShoes.org
Saudi Shiek’s proclamation re: Islam’s #1 Enemy
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Not a Rating Booster

Next Step #323 – August 14, 2014

In light of the passing of Robin Williams, here Fr. Vazken discusses and brings the Armodoxy understanding to difficult topics such as depression, suicide, death, loneliness and the grieving process. Also, a practical approach “economia” and how the needs of the church and community outweigh the laws and rules of those communities. The meteor shower and the learning process.
Song: Popeye the Sailor Man by Robin Williams
Fr. Shahe Altounian’s biography
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Coming Out: The Plastic Collar & a Tattoo

Next Step #322 – August 7, 2014 

In this episode Fr. Vazken comes out with stories from his past and today. The plastic collar… well, it’s plastic… not so with the markings of the Shaolin monk and a tattoo. A look at Theoretical and Applied Physics to Religion – it just makes sense! Sabre rattling by the Azeris – Pay attention! “Impregnation Day” is past, but still possible.
Photos
Song: “Rondo for the Oud” by John Bilezikjian
Wired Magazine about Smart Phones
I found the pearl
Guns & Earrings
Kung Fu with David Carradine
Team in Her Shoes
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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On the Georgian Clergy Assaults

Next Step #321 – July 31, 2014

In the wake of the attack on the Armenian Church by Georgians, Fr. Vazken goes through the process of applying Armodoxy to acts of violence. This is not theoretical religious thought, in fact, he shares a recent episode of harassment at the Georgian border and moves the listener to the idea of pro-acting with members of the Faith community, to make the Body of Christ a real solution for peace. This episode builds on the last few Next Steps and promises to continue in the weeks to come.
Georgian Attack on Armenian Church
Song: “Peace” by Ravi Coltrane
I found the Pearl
i-ACT – Darfur Activism
Avon Walk
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Red Circles, Flies and Religion

Next Step #320 – July 24, 2014

What are you doing with all this religion? Black, White, Red, Squares & Circles, Flying … Moving from Christianity 101 to Experimental Christianity. Fr. Vazken challenges the listener to go beyond the limits imposed by familiarity- beyond the “set up.” Going beyond the “eternal life” catch and finding A TESTED religion that brings Peace within the conflict and chaos. Apply it to the Problem of Evil in the world and even in the context of the Transfiguration and see it work. The Rich Fool at the Ararat Home.
Sermon: I Found the Pearl 
Blog: I Found the Pearl. Now I’m Going After It
Songs: Mi Pasion by Armik
Two Short Planks by Ian Anderson
Charo – http://www.charo.com/
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Dreaming after Seven

Next Step #319 – July 17, 2014

Year 7 begins… Returning from a spiritual pilgrimage to the base of the sacred Mount Ararat, Fr. Vazken reflects about the power and energy for survival and building life. Here, he reflects on the current situation in the world, from wars in Syria, Iraq, Isreal and the Ukraine, and points to the spiritual answers that affect the self and then the world. At Akhtamar, a Turkish armed guard gives a reality check that was passed! This is the beginning of a series that will focus on the lessons of Armodoxy from the Cradle of Civilization.
Fr. Vazken’s Blog on Armodoxy: www.armodoxy.blogspot.com 
Song: Bazzini’s “Les Ronde des Lutins” performed by Maxim Vengerov
Jethro Tull’s “The Whistler” – www.JethroTull.com
Beatles, “The Inner Light
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Equinox Balance: Ends and Means

Next Step #318 – July 10, 2014

From the Next Step archives, “Equinox Balance: Ends and Means (#120 – originally broadcast on September 23, 2010). The Autumnal Equinox brings a balance of time and power, one expressed through the “Harvestest” moon. Can we find a balance between ends and means, primarily when it comes to soliciting donation for the church? A listener’s comments about the St. Leon Cathedral. And where is the balance of ego-inflation with the goals of the Church and religion? The Salvation Army REFUSES a donation of $100,000? Jethro Tull Plays in Armenia – a small tribute to a band with 40+ years of versatility and imagination gone wild.
Song: “Bouree” by Jethro Tull (A Little Light Music) www.jethrotull.com
Ani’s Bubbles: “Breast Cancer; Walk http://scrubsmag.com/author/AniBurr/
Dr. Harry Hagopian’s link: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/Armenia
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Now on Stitcher Radio! 

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