Dreaming Happiness

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Next Step #189 – January 19, 2011

MLK’s “American Dream” serves as a backdrop for our discussion on happiness. Recent finding suggest religion adds value to the Happiness Hypothesis, how about for you? Fr. Vazken shares thoughts on the Sayat Nova Dance Group and their 25th Anniversary Concert, the MLK/In His Shoes 9th Anniversary Hike, Team In Her Shoes to fight breast cancer, and upcoming plans to bring awareness to issues of domestic violence. Fr. Artoon Sempadian passes away – today’s song “Hayrik” is dedicated in his memory.
Links to today’s topics:
Happiness Hypothesis & Religion: http://www.religionandsociety.org.uk/research_findings/featured_findings/religion_adds_value_to_the_happiness_hypothesis
Sayat Nova Dance Group of Boston: http://www.sayatnova.com/
Team In Her Shoes: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-In-Her-Shoes/292120147471155
Dr. King’s “American Dream” Speech:
Fr. Artoon Sempadian passes away: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fresnobee/obituary.aspx?n=artoon-sempadian&pid=155538890
Song: “Hayrik” by Norayr Kartashyan
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Extremism from Dr. King, The Forerunner & El Gordo

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Next Step #188 – January 12, 2012

A discovery 2 Quadrillion times the size of the Sun “El Gordo” & 7 Billion Light years away, brings the discussion of Mystery close to home.  A look at Sirach and Einstein’s take on mystery, it is the cornerstone of life and sight, says the world renown physicist. St. John the Forerunner prepares the way of the Lord with a call to repentance. Jesus’ command to love your enemies comes alive in the teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with emphasis on his REV, he’s a minster of the Gospel. It’s all connected and Fr. Vazken connects the dots again. The simple prayer – “Lord, if you open my mouth, I will sing your praise” leads to the Epostle.net experience.
Song: You Must be Born Again by Dorothy Love-Coates: http://www.amazon.com/You-Must-Be-Born-Again/dp/B0015P2F3E
Ani’s Bubble – Extremist for Life – quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.
El Gordo: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/01/11/145043195/el-gordo-galaxy-with-mass-2-quadrillion-times-the-suns-discovered
Sirach 43: http://www.newadvent.org/bible/sir043.htm
Returning Home Sermon: http://armenianorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2012/01/returning-home.html
More on Dr. King & John the Baptist: https://epostle.net/archives_season2.html#31
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Setting the Oven at New Year

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Next Step #187 – January 5, 2012

Christ is Revealed! It’s the Theophany and the Savior arrives at the Nativity, Baptism and everyday in the life of a Christian. A unique Armenian Orthodox understanding of the Revelation of God in this feast. By taking a look at the impact of the “Song of the Three” on the Armenian people, Fr. Vazken explains how the revealed Savior is the cornerstone of relevancy in our world today. Turn up the volume and the heat for this one. Also – The metaphysics behind the great Samoan day-robbery.
Samoa loses a day before the New Year
Song: “Tamada” by Norayr Kartashyan
O Great Mystery & Wonderous Mystery – Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Strong Links into the New Year

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Next Step #186 – December 29, 2011

The year comes to an end with reflections that point to new beginnings. Where are the strong and weak links in our life? Finding the missing portion of Nicene Creed – and “focusing on the vision” of the Message of Christ. Kurt Vonnegut’s “Bluebeard” – beating yourself-up as the Turk: Resolving for the New Year. BC/AD BCE/CE and calendar crossings. The Magic of Christmas Eve – Fr. Vazken and his physicians meet at the Nativity of Christ – a life with days and days filled with life.
Song: Gor Mkhitarian’s “The Day” – www.gormusic.com
Focused Vision – Excerpts from the Sermon on the Mount, www.inhisshoes.org
Ani’s New Year Bubble
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Solstice Bells to Christmas Cheers

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Next Step #185 – December 22, 2011

Kick off the Winter Solstice with some Christmas Cheer. Unafraid and unashamed to claim the Solstice, Fr. Vazken finds the Christ Child in the Manger radiating the Love and Light that overcomes darkness. This podcast is a celebration with music, love and a message unlike any other, as Armodoxy is revealed. A very Merry Christmas to all! A Christmas/Solstice Celebration! Secrets revealed: Bob Dylan’s reindeer and how Suzie got Ken to change his habits!
Ani’s Christmas Bubble
Musical Links:
Jethro Tull’s Christmas Album
Bob Dylan’s “Christmas In the Heart”
Melanie’s “Yes Santa, there is a Melanie”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The War is Over – Merry Christmas!

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Next Step #184 – December 15, 2011

News that the last of the American troops are pulling out of Iraq sets the pace for this Next Step. In the aftermath of war – an opportunity to seek lasting peace by eschewing politics and opting for a true spiritual understanding of life, humanity and the offer to love. Opting out of violence. A Merry Christmas to all! The conversion of Saul and a conversion at the Children’s Memorial service. Advent “additions” in preparation for Theophany.
Poverty hits Americans 1 in 2
John Belizekjian “What Child is This?”
Ani’s Bubbles – “Are You Going to Help Me Now?” – An Armenian father & son during the earthquake.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The Armodoxy Christmas Catalog

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Next Step #183 – December 8, 2011

The Armodoxy Christmas Catalog is the only guide you need for the holidays. Make sure your holiday giving is with the PERFECT gift for friends and loved ones. Don’t miss out on an offer guaranteed to last a lifetime! Deals galore! What do you need and what do you want? The Greatest Gifts of Christmas are packaged for the listener! Also – on the Cathia Hamparian Memorial. Season 8 begins.
Compassionate Friends: http://www.compassionatefriends.org/
Song: Joan Baez “Down in Yon Forest” from “Noel”
Follow In His Shoes on Twitter.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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De Niro, the Radio and the Phoenix Highway

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Next Step #182 – December 1, 2011

En route from Phoenix to LA, Fr. Vazken stumbles on satellite programming – XM style. From the divine to the vulgar – here’s a call for common sense in life and Christianity without the shame. Words can’t express the disgust, but here’s a try… also in this episode – the enduring power of the stardust, the Muppets, quick answers for Heaven & Hell, the wind storm in Pasadena and more.
Song: “Light of the World” from Godspell
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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The Secret of Armenian Orthodoxy

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Next Step #181 – November 24, 2011

A Thanksgiving episode that reveals the ‘secret’ of Armenian Orthodoxy. A parade opens this message of memories and leads to Thanksgiving “moments.” Turning from victim mentality to victor through thanksgiving. A means of survival and growth. A special edition podcast recorded before the dawn.
Thanksgiving with Gabriel in Darfur: Truth Be Damned
Greetings from One Genocide to Another: http://youtu.be/weuwKPjvhu0
Song: “Meeting My Past” by Ara Dinkjian (An Armenian in America)
Thank You Very Much by the Scaffolds
Ani’s Bubbles: Thanksgiving Message
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
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Justice with Just Us and A Prayer

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Next Step #180 – November 17, 2011

When a catholicos marginalizes prayer, its power stays unleashed and love is not explored. Another catholicos is ready to put it all in perspective – from his vantage point and with the maharajahs who missed the Armenians. After a brief visit to Armenian land, Fr. Vazken returns without jet lag but with some extra baggage. Continuing on Politics and Religion: finding mission in everything we do. Regis & Jerry: do we need to know everything? News from epostle.net too – Armodoxy has arrived.
Armenian Consulate’s page
Song: “Dream of Life” by Haig Yazjian
Ani’s Bubbles: “Lessons from the Porcupine”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com