No Thanks to Cults: Religion Gone Wrong

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Next Step #23 – November 19, 2008

Thanksgiving, Cults, Religion gone bad and much more. As Mr. Potter gives the secrets to financial success in this market, Fr. Vazken instructs about thanksgiving. It is the cornerstone of the faith and the key to lasting love. In this remarkable podcast, you are taken on a journey that will conclude next week at Thanksgiving. Quality may preempt quantity, but it doesn’t escape the site of this commentary. A wide variety of topics are discussed, Pope Benedict XVI makes it on board the Cast and Prop 8 is not exempt. Cults and Koolaid® are remembered on this 30th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre. Why do cults make it? You’ll be surprised by the answer Fr. Vazken gives.

A new song by Gor Mkhitarian in preparation for the December 18 concert. It all comes together on this Next Step.

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Giving a Thanks Blessing

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Next Step #22 – November 12, 2008

Stuffed Turkey, dressing and… Mother Goose? Not quite, but there is so much more to the holiday than the culinary delights that have … how do you say? Given us that je ne sais quoi satisfaction of the the salivary glands. It’s certainly not the addition of pilaf to the Thanksgiving menu that makes Thanksgiving come alive in the Armenian Orthodox tradition. Just like other feasts on our church calendar that give us opportunities to live out the message of Christ, Thanksgiving allows us to acknowledge that there’s something greater than ourselves. Fr. Vazken take the next step toward defining the richness of the Thanksgiving experience by poking at the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18) and challenging listeners to give a thanks-blessing.

Featured songs: Mariam Matossian’s “Arev Arev” from In the Light album and Gor Mkitarian’s “Blessing” (Orhnutyun) from the not-yet-released Spirit album. On December 18, In His Shoes will proudly present Gor’s “Spirit” CD Release Concert at Zipper Hall with opening performance by Mariam Matossian. Tickets available online: ItsMySeat.com

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Small Steps Lead to Big Dreams

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Next Step #21 – November 5, 2008

Barack Obama is President! A dream comes true. Mines explode in Karabagh ending the dreams of others. Fr. Vazken returns from the Obama campaign trail in Las Vegas and talks about the enduring power of dreams. Jesus tell us, “I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24 Through this sacrifice it produces much, transforming into something greater. What are the sacrifices made by people in our past? Why did the good die young? “Abraham, Martin and John,” by Dion is featured in this podcast. Also, a special interview with Gala Danivola, Program Coordinator in Nagorno Karabagh for The HALO Trust, an organization dedicated to removing landmines and other unexploded ammunitions from former conflict zones, talks about their work.

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Beneath the Halloween Mask of Life

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Next Step #20 – October 29, 2008

Boo! This podcast in not designed to scare you, only to make you think. Here’s an opportunity to examine the masks we all wear in life. Fr. Vazken carefully removes the layers that guard and protect us and beneath are no monsters but a pure heart given by God. A unique exposé on the Obama/McCain campaigns in light of the faith vote. Armenian Orthodoxy extends to this discussion of Halloween, masks, and fear.

 

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The Poor, the Prisoners, and the Blind

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Next Step #19 – October 22, 2008

In the Gospel of Luke Jesus says,
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
This week Fr. Vazken explores finding peace in our lives and understanding Christ’s mission. Poverty does not equate having empty pockets, prisoners are not those in jail cells, the blind are not those without eyeballs in their sockets. This is a podcast that sets the cornerstone for all others because it describes the mission of the Christian church and the work of Christians in this world. Take a journey with Fr. Vazken as he reveals the special place this passage holds in his ministry.

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An End to Worries

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Next Step #18 – October 15, 2008

The financial crisis felt around the world is causing anxiety, tension and worries. Where and when will it end? What happens next? All the questions are ripe for the picking, until you connect to the source of our freedom from fear. As Jesus instructs through the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 6, today’s message is directed to the lack of trust in the financial markets and – shall we say – God? This is a Next Step to spiritual comfort from the “Lilies of the Field” to the “Birds in the Air”, it is a call for complete surrender and trust in God. It’s a challenge that’s presented this time, through the unique view of Armenian Orthodoxy.

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Allowing Spiritual Blessings to Dispel Our Fears

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Next Step #17

Market meltdowns and financial difficulties put us in crisis mode and throw us into a state of fear. How do we get a handle on this fear? How do we cope with the anxiety caused by the current economic crisis? The challenge is to take the emphasis off of the physical, material world, and direct our sights on the spiritual happiness that can be obtained in our lives. Also in this episode is a new prayer celebrating the newly blessed miuron (holy chrism) just delivered to us. The holy miuron allows us to enlighten our senses to touch the Face of God. It’s an opportunity for us to renew our faith and mission. It allows us to connect to something that goes back 2000 years, that is the essence of God, Jesus Christ. We’re called to be a part of this Living Tradition.

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Mindless Obsessions vs. Serious Issues

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Next Step #16 – October 1, 2008

It’s a mashup this week, but not of the digital web application variety! Religion, Politics (yes, we’re in that season), Destiny or Not, and Responsibility are all a part of this episode. And of course this is a podcast on Orthodoxy, so find out how it’s timeless; transcending time and space. The totality of the experience is much greater than its parts. It’s an open invitation to plug in to this experience.

 

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Stirred by the Spirit

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Next Step #15 – September 24, 2008

“The Dove that was sent came down from on high with a great sound and like the flashing of light he armed the disciples with fire…” Hymn of the Holy Spirit. Hold on to your seats while you tune in because in this striking fashion your heart will be revived. On the occasion of the Blessing of Miuron (Holy Chrism), prepared once every seven years, Fr. Vazken uses this occasion to instruct us how this holy oil touches us, heals us, and makes us members of Christ’s family through the power of the Holy Spirit. Listen and connect…

 

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Cross Section Too

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Next Step #14 – September 17, 2008

There’s a difference between the crosses that we must bear and tolerate – the crosses we’re given – and the crosses that Jesus talks about, the ones He tells us to pick up and follow. The way of this cross is the cross of sacrifice and humility. And in picking up this cross, we accept the responsibility towards our family, our community, and our world. Fr. Vazken takes up and probes this dimension of the cross; the meaning in our lives comes from a life lived for others. What is the power and importance of the cross in our lives?

Musical selection is “Emmanuel Calling” from Credo’s album, The Rock Opera of the Greatest Story.

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