Strip Away to Faith

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Next Step #234 – November 29, 2012

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
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Thanksgiving Thoughts from Bob to Bob

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Next Step #233 – November 22, 2012

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
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Reconciling with the senseless and the unnatural

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Next Step #232 – November 15, 2012

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
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Barking at Caravans

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Next Step #231 – November 8, 2012

Extending the concept of “undanik” to “under heaven” in understanding the family of God (Storm Sandy and walking In His Shoes). Fr. Vazken explains that Matthew 12:46-50 is not a lesson in biology as rude as it may seem. Extending Christian values and Church to Genocides and wars in Darfur and Syria as well as the death in our own backyards via In His Shoes. The Obama Victory: The silly-willy Armenian politics that bark at the caravan. “As for me,” says Fr. Vazken, “I was there with Obama – no brag, just fact.” Youth and the Church – the problem beyond Armenian Church. More on the crimes of the priest who was defrocked. Grandpa & FDR Democrats/Grandma’ baklava for James Roosevelt – it was her thanks for the last station of the caravan.
Sermon: “Politics, God & the Kingdom”
Song: “Caravan” by Armen Chamakian
Obama’s Acceptance Speech
Sun Sash: http://sunsash.blogspot.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Obnoxious Voices from the Ridge

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Next Step #230 – November 1, 2012

Nietzche’s formula for cheer applied to the Armenian Church via Armodoxy. Fr. Vazken’s “Protest Manual” is revealed talking about effective protest and ill-fated varieties against the establishment. Bringing about change from within and not without. The imperfect-perfect Body of Christ. Challenges to the disenfranchised members of the Armenian Church community. Unveiling of the Datev Outreach program. Celebrating Halloween the Armodoxy way.
Get Sun Sash FREE – www.SunSash.blogspot.com
Unveiling: http://DatevOutreach.org
Window article: http://acrag.wordpress.com/1991/06/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Abstract to the Tangible

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Next Step #229 – October 25, 2012

En route to the Domestic Violence Walk and the unveiling of Datev Outreach, Fr. Vazken reflects on the intertwining of the abstract and tangible. Abstract ideas matterialize via tangible vehicles. Case in point, Christ and the Christian message, come to us via the Church. Discussed: The Patriarch’s passing, the defrocking of a charismatic priest and the need for change. The Jethro Tull concert and Ian Anderson on world population and educating women. Rwanda 10 years after genocide and the necessity to populate.
Song: Anush Opera at St. Andrew, Cupertino
Datev Outreach: http://datevoutreach.org
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Endings: Death and Defrockery

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Next Step #228 – October 18, 2012

Patriarch Torkom Manoogian passes; Guest Commentary by Dr. Harry Hagopian. Politics in the Church? Never more pronounced – While a priest who brings people to the Armenian Church is defrocked, another clergyman who preaches non-Orthodox theology is granted a churchman’s award. Make sense? The balance has tipped, more people checking off “None.” Can Love be Irrelevant? Or are we not presenting it properly? Follow up to Ani Bubles’ wedding.
Song: “Armenian Medley” by Hosharian Bros. Band; “Electric Kef”
Reflections on Patriarch Abp. Torkom Manoogian “Brandy & Honey with Our Tea” by Dr. Harry Hagopian
Domestic Violence Walk: http://DatevOutreach.org
Pew findings regarding “None” Religion
Sun Sash
Fr. Vazken’s Blog
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Holy Matrimony with Bubbles

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Next Step #227 – October 11, 2012

The “Mystery” of Holy Matrimony explained by a proud godfather as Ani Bubbles gets ready to walk the aisle. Whether you’re a newlywed, been married for 50 years or contemplating the plunge, this episode explains the deep meaning of love, life and unity in Christ. A meaty stew of information in this one. Kings and Queens welcome. Coming job opportunities at Epostle too.
Song: Bambir’s “Two Poets” from “Armenian Scotch”
Ani’s Bubbles: Steps to Happiness
Sun Sash
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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A Question of Morality

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Next Step #226 – October 4, 2012

Where does morality – our sense of right and wrong – come from? Is it possible to have a morality apart from God? Armodoxy and the In His Shoes models hold some clues to the answer. The Road to In His Shoes and to Armodoxy is just as important as arriving there. The parable of the “Good Turk” can be heard by Jesus in the Armenian Church. Ayn Rand: “Morality has to be a rational science.”
Archbishop Baliozian enters Eternal Rest
Ani’s Bubbles: Two Frog http://bacheegsandlove.blogspot.com/
Song: Calendar Express by The Dirty Diamond
Sun Sash
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Privilege of the Cross

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Next Step #225 – September 27, 2012

Returning from the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, after 39 miles, Fr. Vazken shares some solitary notes that point to the power of the cross. Reflections from the walk – the responsibility and privilege of Christianity. Church-business where “business” is not a dirty word. Thoughts on a pioneer: Fr. Vartan Kasparian retires, a priest and mentor to a generation. Looking back and moving forward: 30 year Anniversary of Fr. Vazken’s Ordination – the thanksgiving of a priest and Winding up 24/7- not just on Sundays. A reading by Linda Zadoian.
Fr. Vartan Kasparian – http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/news/the-priest-and-the-church-archpriest-fr-vartan-kasparian-st-mary-yettem/
Ani’s Bubbles: Breast Cancer Walk (2010) http://bacheegsandlove.blogspot.com/
Song: “Blue Moon” by Artash
Avon Breast Cancer Walk: www.AvonWalk.org
Team In Her Shoes
Video of 30th Anniversary: www.Youtube.com/InHisShoes
Compass #7: The Story of Days We Used to Know; Now 29 Years Later
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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