Identity via Something Bigger than Self

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Next Step #107 – June 24, 2010

Remember when “Rolling Stone” was counter-culture and war was unpopular? Developing identity in a changing world – (see The Atlantic Magazine article). The World Cup, Wimbledon and the Lakers – lessons on bringing peace and love to Kyrgyzstan and Darfur and rejecting bad-religion. Thoughts from inside the funeral procession: continuing to build the Virtual Church.
Song: “Shalakho” by Datevik http://www.naregatsi.org/Datevik/
Ani’s Bubbles: May the Budgie of Happiness Sit on Your Head, http://scrubsmag.com/author/aniburr
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for Epostle.net

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Wine, Bubble Gum and Vuvuzela!

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Next Step #106 – June 17, 2010

Year 3 of the Next Step is kicked off with a discussion of the Jesus’ pearl metaphor.  Armodoxy is a break from Bubble Gum religion – once you find the Kingdom of God, it doesn’t lose its flavor, nor can you spit it out. Drinking sweet wine is OK, but a Merlot is a more realistic flavor of life. Jesus instructs to live by a standard of “mercy, not sacrifice” (Matthew 12) it’s so hard when distracted by vuvuzelas and Steve Jobs’ technology for yesterday.
A lesson from the “Man from Ick”
Song: “Victory” by Gor Mkhirtaryan Purchase SPIRIT Album
Ani’s Bubbles: Graduation Blessing http://scrubsmag.com/author/aniburr/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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Etchmiadzin is a Dream

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Next Step #105 – June 10, 2010

Skip the Geography lesson. Don’t stress the History lesson. The Feast of Etchmiadzin is about making dreams come true. What is your vision for life? Here’s a step-by-step approach to making dreams come true by dreaming faith, hope and love. Rising from the pit of life, or is that the Diocese partying on Ascension day? Letters from listeners expose hints at Armodoxy and In His Shoes.  Celebrating 2 years and running – join the celebration, you’re invited!
Music: “Etchmiadzin” by Seminarians of Vazkenian Seminary at Lake Sevan;
Ani’s Bubbles: “Somebody to Love”;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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Prejudice Caterpillars Miss the Perfect Game

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Next Step #104 – June 3, 2010

The missed perfect game – can the Commission do the same for the church? Desecration of the land – the oil spills from Ararat to the Gulf. A look at prejudice – Stepan Partamian’s visit to the church, prejudging Christianity, and an honest look beyond the outward. Ready for another Armodoxy Axiom? The Chosen people are the ones who choose God. It’s all in this episode.
Song: “Komitas” by Bambir on the Quake Album;
Ani’s Bubbles: Processional Caterpillars;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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50 Ways to Leave Your Nightmares

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Next Step #103 – May 27, 2010

A look at the gifts of the Holy Spirit in defining the Body of Christ – the Holy Church. It’s Pentecost: Happy Birthday to the Church! Gifts of Grace: Technology and the Armenian Church and the Cupertino years. Sacrificing for others, in an expression of forgiveness. Memorial Day – some die, others work, but all give. It’s the sacrifice that makes us who we are.
Book Review: Muriel Mirak-Weissbach “Through the Wall of Fire: Armenia—Iraq—Palestine From Wrath to Reconciliation”;
Ani’s Bubbles: Forgiveness;
Music: “Amen Hayr Sourp” Dudukner Quartet
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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Coloring Jesus with a Happy Face

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Next Step #102 – May 20, 2010

An atheist visits the Armenian Church and makes us think about Jesus. What is our perception of Jesus? How is it colored by the circumstances that surround our life? A look at the Kent State (Ohio) Massacres 40 years later – Vietnam comes home and affects Armodoxy. Religion doesn’t exit in a vacuum and so it must be relevant to the times and withstand the “test.” Exit-interview with Mariam Torgomyan, burn victim after 5 surgeries and 10 months of therapy. How faith and a church community help this girl heal. Pentecost and the Holy Spirit are coming!
Music: “Yes Achk” by Gor Mkhitaryan (http://www.gormusic.com/)
Ani’s Bubbles: Loving Kindness
Sponsored by Prof. Nicholas & Janine Economides (http://dailyexegesis.blogspot.com/)
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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Generation 1: Filling Emptiness

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Next Step #101 – May 13, 2010

On this Ascension, Fr. Vazken takes listeners on a journey from the foot of the Cross, where an expression of Motherhood fills the emptiness of life with faith. Filling the emptiness as did Generation #1 – when they did God’s work: making something from nothing! Happy Mothers’ Day, to our mothers+. Want to name your child? Some suggestions too.
Music: “Mayrigis” performed by Mariam Matossian (www.mariammatossian.com)
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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Conversation beyond Politics

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Next Step #100 – May 6, 2010

Making Prayer a continuous conversation with God (and why the National Day of Prayer might hinder that process). Secrets revealed: Picking the right Lotto numbers and making peace without war. What kind of Priest would Jesus ordain? Church dynamics: The Old Boys Club is an Armenian one at that. Why invite an atheist to church?
Song: “Sareh Siroon Yar” by Zulal;
Ani’s Bubbles: A prayer by Bernard of Clairvaux;
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

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The Sound of One Hand Clapping

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Next Step #99 – April 29, 2010

Genocide Commemoration – why we can’t forget. Story of the USC Annenberg School’s Denial Policy, Interview with William’s College Student Madlyn Mgrublian who single-handedly organized the campus commemoration; Follow up to the Famine and a glimpse of a REAL miracle, one of resurrection and hope for tomorrow.
Music: Soorp Soorp by Gagik Gasparian – www.gagikgasparyan.com
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for www.epostle.net
This episode sponsored by Professor Nicholas & Janine Economides

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No Death at This Funeral

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Next Step #98 – April 22, 2010

“Let the Dead Bury the Dead” says Jesus to bring our focus back to the empty tomb. Find the power in the message of Christ as Armodoxy gives us a unique view of life with tragedy. Love conquers evil, light overcomes darkness and life transforms death. Insight on how Gomidas Vartabed sang during the Genocide? Walking In His Shoes gives us a chance to do the work of Christ, especially today, in a world overcome by disease, war and famine. In His Shoes Ministries is taking the past, making it relevant today and forging the future.
Music: “Khungi Dzar” sung by Victory Theresa Avedikian (Argentina), “Aerials (hidden track)” by SOAD
Ani’s Bubbles: “He Needed Me” – http://scrubsmag.com/blogs/student-nurse/
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for www.epostle.net
Sponsored by Prof. Nicholas and Janine Economides

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