Celebrating Life and Love

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Next Step #35 – February 11, 2009

“If the world be all yours, what will you take with you? Love God, love people, and love your beloved.” — Sayat Nova

From Groundhogs Day to Candlemas and Dyarntarach; from St. Valentine to Sayat Nova, this podcast is a celebration of new beginnings and a celebration of life and love. Our Lord, Jesus Christ is Love incarnate and in Him is the manifestation of all intensities of Love. Fr. Vazken challenges the listener to look at the all encompassing nature of love, and shows us how religion and culture come together to help us understand the realities of the world.

Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingirian looks at politics and the power of religion in society. Religion is not only a matter of personal faith but could also be a potent force of political mobilization and even revolution.

Special musical treat is a performance by Nune Yesayan singing Sayat Nova’s Kamancha.

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The Three “O”s

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Next Step #34 – February 4, 2009

From Pythagoras to Narekatzi, from physics to religion – this podcast brings spiritual applications to physical laws… well, sort of. Fr. Vazken explores the “Three “O”-s that everyone should know – Oshagan, Ostrich and Obama – it’s a small portion of the USC lecture (2/2/09) that challenged students to find answers in ancient Armenian orthodoxy to some of the big issues confronting the world. Also – letters discussing extinction of the church, Catholic looking at Orthodox, and the parent/child songs.

Global Perspective by Hratch Tchilingirian: More on Greed (pt. 2) as reason for economic collapse. It’s a spiritual perspective too.

Bubbles by Ani Burr: A lamentation of the St. Gregory of Narek.

Musical Selection: “Blessing” from Gor Mkhitarian’s SPIRIT Album – Available for online purchase from the In His Shoes Shop

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Playing at the Blackberry Bowl

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Next Step #33 – January 29, 2009

What’s really important in life? It’s easy to lose focus and pop the drug of irrelevancy. In this podcast, Fr. Vazken takes the listener on a run through topics that weave the question of relevancy. Superbowl is this weekend, Acadamy Award nominations are in and a father shoots his children, wife and self because he’s at the edge of hopelessness. How do we reconcile all of these events? Pope Benedict uses Youtube and revokes excommunication on four bishops. In a globalized world and economy, find the necessary word that sets you apart – you are the BEST as a child of God. “Sev Toot” is coined today!

Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingirian: Is the economic crisis based on greed? (part 1)
Spiritual Bubbles with Ani Burr: Wisdom, Faith, Hope and Love
Music: World debut of Arax’s Crossing CD – “Vasbouragan”

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A New Era of Hope

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Next Step #32 – January 22, 2009

A fitting end to the Martin Luther King tribute, this podcast commemorates one of Dr. King’s children who was “judged by the content of his character.” Barack Obama becomes the 44th president of the United States; hope is defined as believing in a dream come true. Fr. Vazken discusses the prayers at inauguration and isn’t it a “no duh” that Jesus’ name would come up? Rev. J. Lowery’s poetic benediction is highlighted here. PREMIER installment of Global Perspective with Hratch Tchilingirian looks at Gaza and innocence lost.

 

Spiritual Bubbles topic: Obama’s Address on Hope

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Two Kindred Spirits Separated By Millennia

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Next Step #31 – January 14, 2009

John the Baptist and Martin Lurther King Jr. are two giants – one a Biblical figure, the other contemporary, yet they serve the same God and the same Lord. What is the legacy left by these ushers of the Way? Fr. Vazken brings together the work and mission that has driven these people to point the way to Christ. They stood up courageously against the power structure, urging peace, justice, and love, even unto death, and thus became martyrs for their unwavering preaching of the Kingdom of God.

Also, a look at the life and ministry of Fr. Mesrob Sarafian, an archpriest of the Armenian Church who went to his eternal rest this week. Notes from Oakland California, including an emotive reading from his funeral rite.

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Revelations from the River to the Oven

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Next Step #30 – January 7, 2009

The first broadcast of the New Year brings in a new message of revealed love. Fr. Vazken takes the listener from the River Jordan to temperatures beyond Fahrenheit. Is that Setrak or Shadrach? Misak or Meshach? Abo or Satchmo? What? Even Louis makes an appearance on this podcast, but who’s singing the Song of the Three? The oven is full of protest but hope for tomorrow. Tune in to start the new year with a revelation that comes only from above.

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All Things New

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Next Step #29 – December 31, 2008

The New Year’s Eve Edition of The Next Step takes a look at virtual reality as composed by the demise of a household product. Can we hit a rewind button to find out? The Advent season comes to an end with the arrival of Theophany – just in time for the new year! Listen how Christ makes all things new, through His Love! Peace is just waiting to happen as Fr. Vazken weaves the listener through the first week of the New Year.

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Christmas Eve at the Manger

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Next Step # 28- December 24, 2008

The “Christmas Eve” edition of the Next Step, explores the scene at the manger as something greater than its historical components. Drawing on the purest concepts of mathematics, Fr. Vazken makes the case that with Jesus, we find the sick, the hungry, the lame and the suffering wrapped in the swaddling cloth. If A=B and B=C then A=C; can we swap variables and find that even peace has a chance! Digging deep – this podcast even addresses the bigger questions – did the manger smell like baby wipes? Interspersed with an assortment of great carols, this is a Christmas Eve treat for everyone – young and old looking for the magic that can come only from God.

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Sun makes way for the Son

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Next Step #27 – December 17, 2008

Celebrating Christmas before or after the New Year. Does it matter? To some yes, but from the Armenian Orthodox perspective, it’s one of many trappings that skew us from the Truth. What about the Bible? Did it come from God? Dare we say that there are means to God beyond the Bible? And if so, what does that say about the truth of the Bible? Find out in this podcast which explains a bit more than the date of Christmas. Travel back in time to the first thoughts of religion and find out how fact and truth can end up on two different sides of the coin. And all this occurs as our planet takes a spin around the outer rim of its orbit around the Sun. Happy Solstice and a Merry Christmas to all!

Featured Songs: Carols by Joan Baez, Victory by Gor Mkhitarian

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The Ox, House, and Wife on Advent

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Next Step #26 – December 10, 2008

On the Great Banquet, or WWJWFHB = (What would Jesus want for his Birthday?) The answer is given in scripture and in this podcast! What were the Jesus “parents” like? We got a glimpse of them in Montrose, of all places. And what a headache they COULD have had, instead did they take the Advent prescription? Only Mary’s pharmacist knows for sure? This is one of a series of podcasts following the Advent journey to Christmas. At the end of the road is the prize: A new view of Christmas – not in a stable in Bethlehem, but as the only true representation of Christ’s revelation.
Music: Gor Mkhitarian plays the Lord’s Prayer – a new rendition of Jesus’ words. Join in for all the excitement of this Holiday cast.

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