All Things Blessed and Blessings

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Next Step #173 – September 29, 2011

The great “blessing mystery” solved! What is a “Blessing”? Fr. Vazken reveals an answer 29 years in the making. Many blessings – including for water-wells and pre-werewolf adolescents. Exploring the nausea that comes with blessings over childbirth. The piece of sand spins inside this oyster to reveal a blessed pearl! Prayers offered for Abortion and Domestic Violence: applying what we have learned from Christ. Lessons for the Christian Church. Next Step reaches its 6th continent.
Music: “Blessings” by Gor Mkhitarian www.gormusic.com
Ani’s Bubbles: May all your prayers be answered
29 Years in the Making: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
 
This Episode is Sponsored by Nicholas & Janine Economides

There’s still time to Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards (http://www.podcastawards.com/) in the category “Religious Inspiration“
Nominations close September 30, 2011.  Please get your votes in!
URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Declaring What is Evident

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Next Step #172 – September 22, 2011

Twenty years of independence for Armenia gives cause to reflect on “declaring what is self-evident” and how to take the next step to actualize dreams of independence – personally and as an institution. Determining which laws are just and which are unjust. What is God’s law and rules? A reading of the Declaration of Independence and Dr. Martin Luther King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail. Just/unjust laws. Why you won’t see things getting better in the Armenian Church. The role of institutions: maintaining and preserving the status quo. We know the problems – now what’s the solution – When the door opened the first woman deacon entered – its time to do the same. The Centrality of Christ in the Church – if He’s in the church, what is more important outside? If he’s not, everything outside can be more important. Answering the argument and problem of language in the church – here it is!
New podcast – Compass at https://epostle.net
Music: “Mer Hayrenik” – National Anthem of Armenia. Watch video at http://youtu.be/je95_TmJd6s
Ani’s Bubbles: What Cancer Can Do.
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

There’s still time to Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards (http://www.podcastawards.com/) in the category “Religious Inspiration“
Nominations close September 30, 2011.  Please get your votes in!
URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Ecclesiastical-Evolution: Head-Body Coordination

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Next Step #171 – September 16, 2011

“Mush-Rope” is the way to say it. Armenian Orthodoxy in the New World and the New Era: Apologetic with no apology! Allowing evolution to take its course in the church. Coordinating the head and the body – allows us to say YES to Christ’s message of love and hope. Finding faith, hope and life in the 9/11 commemoration – 2011 is the year Easter falls on April 24, and the Holy Cross on September 11 – it’s the year of victory.
Compass – a first look: http://youtu.be/JlJdLLhp51c 
Song: “Sound of Silence” by Paul Simon as performed on 10th anniversary of 9/11: http://youtu.be/eanv5XRjwLg
India Arie – “Intro: Loving” http://www.indiaarie.com/
Questions in Faith – new season kicks off: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/qoff
Fr. Vazken’s speech at 9/11: http://armenianorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/09/911-day-of-remembrance-service-at.html
Prayer for 9/11: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/09/prayer-for-10th-anniversary-of-911.html
Ani’s Bubbles – The Heart of a Teacher by Paula Fox
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com


Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards in the category “Religious Inspiration”
URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

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Remove the Plank and find 9/11 under the Basil

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Next Step #170 – September 8, 2011

The 10th anniversary of the Terror Attacks of 9/11 coincides with the Elevation of the Holy Cross. 10 years of change, of war and opportunities – some seized, some missed. Armodoxy as a challenge to take the Next Step by walking in the shoes of others.  God’s will and evil: Rejecting scapegoating and the silliness of the Christian superiority complex. You are NOT helpless – no Twinkies here! You CAN make a difference in the world and in your life. 9/11 theme: “I refuse to Hate You” Also – answers to some important questions: Can I fight injustice? Does Jesus care who Chaz Bono dances with?
Join us in Burbank on 9/11: http://inhisshoes.org/flyers/911Burbank.jpg
And – some more clues to “Compass” premiering on the Autumnal Equinox. View promo
Music: “I told Jesus” by Roberta Flack
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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Working for Purpose & Meaning

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Next Step #169 – September 1, 2011

Labor Day – an opportunity to look for purpose and meaning in our work and our lives. Avoiding the path of distortion. If God is “calling” am I listening? If God is “calling” am I answering? Armenianism beyond Kim and baklava. Premiere of Fall line-up on Epostle.net – including the new “Compass” show. Are the best things in life free?
Anush’s Blog: “Inside the Pomegranate”
9/11 Event: http://inhisshoes.org/flyers/911Burbank.jpg
Song: Alan Hovhaness‘ “Mystic Flute”and “Moon Dance”
Ani’s Bubbles “Juggling Life” by Coca-Cola CEO
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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Caring for Youth: Getting Real

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Next Step #168 – August 25, 2011

Interview with Linda Maxwell, co-founder of We Care for Youth and facilitator for In His Shoes Ministries. Caring for youth is a calling for Linda Maxwell. She does so with love, care and compassion. Here she discusses her work with kids, and the power of the spirit in bringing about change. She discusses her latest project  – a Day of Remembrance on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. The “Raul Aguirre Story,” – a young man slain on the streets of Glendale and the power of forgiveness in the healing progress (see – http://7×77.org)  Candid discussion about the spiritual dimension of youth care – a must-hear for anyone concerned or working with youth. Also – reflections on news of Steve Jobs leaving Apple Computer; Earthquakes and Hurricanes – take it easy! Newsweek says NO – what about you? Promo for “Compass” – coming this Fall on Epostle.net
Song: John Bilezikjian “Sevani Tzugnors Bar”
Ani’s Bubbles “A Prayer for Children”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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A Hug to the Message

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Next Step #167 – August 18, 2011

Hug from the lady who lost Max and the importance of human touch. Science & religion met at the grape blessing as they do in all things Christ-centered. The victims of the sexual revolution and the claim-to-fame of the famous. Divorce and the family/children. The primary purpose of institutions is Darwinian in nature. Listen up – and get a hug coupon while you’re at it. Details today.
Musical Selection: “Armenian Dance” by John Bilezikjian http://dantzrecords.com/
Ani’s Bubbles “River Rafting”
Links on today’s show:
Bikes you need to check out http://predatorcycling.com/
NPR – Study: Are cohabitating parents bad for kids?
Man from Ick: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/08/man-from-ick.html
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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Productivity and Vine-caretaking

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Next Step #166 – August 11, 2011

Exploring further the Mother of God as an expression of connecting to the TRUE vine – John 15 – Productivity by staying connected to the Vine and yielding the Fruit of Love (Finally! Grapeblessing explained). Armodoxy and St. Mary – Bringing women’s issues in forum. Archbishop Barkev’s Answer: A Koan from Karabakh? Four sisters, Marie, Lusaper, Srpuhi and Diruhi pointing to the Blessed Virgin.  The Institution and the Message – Insuring connections to the Vine.
Petros Malakyan taking Indiana students to Armenia: http://tcarmenia.osmblogs.com/wordpress/
Catholicos Karekin I’s statement on women (1995, Beijing): http://www.aiwa-net.org/Karekin.html
Song by Eric Clapton & Pavarotti  “Holy Mother”
Ani’s Bubbles “Man from Ick”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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The Mother of Love: A Different Perspective

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Next Step #165 – August 4, 2011

In preparation of the feast of Assumption, Fr. Vazken takes a step toward understanding St. Mary as a model for saying yes to Love. This is more than the story of an angel visiting the Blessed Mother of God, it’s about a visit we receive daily to become ambassadors of God’s Love in the world. This is prelude to the feast – part one of two. Also – thoughts on self-worth and the plight of women in the world. St. Mary opens a discussion about women’s issues that cannot be dismissed by the Christian.
Julia Roberts story
Join us for Prof. Petros Malakyan on the Epostle Ustream channel – August 10; 7:30PST
John Lennon’s song
Song by Shoushan Petrossian
Ani’s Bubbles “Mary’s Letter to Mothers”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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The Center Light is Greater than the Law & the Prophets

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Next Step #164 – July 28, 2011

The elements of the Transfiguration of the Lord are looked at through the lens of Armenian Orthodoxy. Making sense of the water feast of Vartevar. Part 2 of 2 on the theme – understanding the CENTER figure as between Law and Prophet. (Part 1 – see NS episode #163) Seeking validity for ourselves from non-Christian sources. Summer readings and the fallacy in catch-up mentality. The Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 17 as the platform for this weekend.
Song: “Arev, Arev” by Mariam Matossian
Ani’s Bubbles “Little Wave”
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

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