Tag Archive for: Creativity

Accountability Management – Day 25 of 40

Armodoxy for Today: Accountability Management– Day 25 of Lent

There is no name tag on your shirt that says, “Manager,” because God has placed upon you the greatest tag of all. He’s named you as His child. Take advantage today. Is there anything that speaks to your heart more than the dreams that you have – the accessibility to a life that is rich and full? It is yours. It is yours because God has placed you in charge of that life – the steward and manager of that life. You do not have a right to place it in a closet. You do not have a right to trash it. All you have a right to do is enjoy it. Let it flower. Let it be fruitful. Let it bring glory to God.

By using the metaphor of stewardship, Jesus makes it very clear that we are accountable for our life. One day, like the manager or steward in the parable, we will be asked to produce a record, an accountability of our stewardship. What did we do with what God has given us? Did God give us talents? Did He give us an ability? Did He give us a smile? Did He give us a heartbeat and a breath? What did we do with that gift? What did we do with our lives?

Imagine giving a gift to a friend or a loved one. Wouldn’t you like to know that your friend enjoyed that gift? At some point wouldn’t you ask your loved one, “What did you do with that gift that I gave you? Did you enjoy it?” And certainly, how hurt you would be if that person had taken your gift and stored it in a closet or worse yet, just thrown it in the trash and never once paid attention to it. Likewise, God wants to know that the gift He has given us, that most valuable commodity – the breath that we breathe, the heart that beats, the smile that comes from our hearts – is being used and is being used wisely. Ultimately, is it being used to spread love of God to others. That is the demand put upon us as stewards of God’s gifts. We are stewards of our lives. We are responsible for the talents that are given to us, to share them, use them, and to give an account of How? Where? And What did we do with all that God has given us?

Today’s act of charity is to produce the fruit of your talent. Fast from fears that discourage you. Enjoy today’s recipe for Curry Butternut Squash which appears below.

We pray with St. Nersess Shnorhali’s 11th hour, Jesus, wisdom of the Father, grant me wisdom that I may always think, speak and do that which is good in your site. Save me from evil thoughts, words, and deeds. Have mercy upon all your creatures, and upon me, a great sinner. Amen.

Lenten Recipes by Deacon Varoujan: Recipe 25: Curry Butternut Squash

Enter AI – Exciting and Scary

Armodoxy for Today: Exciting and Scary

At Epostle.net, when we say, Apostolic evangelism for an electronic and expanding universe, it is more than a catch phrase for us, it is our mission. Earlier this year we entered the metaverse with exhibits of the sacred spaces, the monasteries, the khatchkars and prayers of the Armenian Church which have defined civilization. Today, we mark a new day and a new era in Christian evangelism. Today we break the language barriers in sharing the OG Christian message from the ancient Armenian Church – what we have identified as Armodoxy – with a hurting world using the latest tools of artificial intelligence. Today we produce and share videos with the people of the world in their native languages, in French, Russian, Spanish and Korean, with Hindi, German and Chinese being the next languages to follow. While many will stand in awe of the technology our intention is not to showcase those means. The unbridled human spirit will create the tools that will keep us in awe. Ours is to share the unique and necessary message of the power of Love, through Jesus Christ with the world.

Welcome to the new world. It is an exciting and scary place.

This weekend as we commemorate the Assumption of the Blessed Mother, we remember that the announcement of her pregnancy was exciting and scary for her, as were the many events in her life, from the angel’s message to the Birth of the Christ Child, to her standing at the foot of the Cross, to her Assumption into Heaven. We take the first steps in this uncharted area of AI, realizing that the first steps will always be scary. At Epostle.net we connect dots from those events 2000 years ago to our lives today, so as not to lose sight of the purpose of the story. The Asdvadzadzin gave birth to God, the Love that overcomes hatred, the Light that illuminates the darkness, the Resurrection that is a victory over every crucifixion.

Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt. 13:45-46)

We have found the pearl!

We take this opportunity to congratulate Team Epostle and especially Epostle creative director Gregory Beylerian for his leadership in exploration and development of these tools to spread the message.

We open this new chapter with an invitation to you to explore and share the many resources we have available, especially on the new international languages page. Join us in prayer, “Lord our God, open our hearts and our souls to the wonders of your love. Grant us the courage to seek the Pearl, the Kingdom that is within us and without us. Banish the fear that hinders us from sharing and celebrating the joy of life. Amen.

Visit Epostle’s International languages page

Creative Teachings

Next Step #503: From a display of coffee-cup readings, to a rock concert up in Napa, to the passing of a couple distinguished ladies, to the celebration of Robert Burns’ poetry, Fr. Vazken takes the opportunity to connect the dots for creative teachings.
One Brown Mouse by Jethro Tull www.jethrotull.com
Robert Burns poetry
Coffeescapes by Anush
Sona & Friends Fire Fund
Reclaim 2018: www.embracing-faith.com
Sheriff John Birthday Song
Cover photo – SF sky 2013 Fr. Vazken
Engineered by Shawn Wu
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
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Sowing Creativity with Occam

Next Step #492: Beginning with the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), Fr. Vazken looks at the amazing phenomena of child prodigy Alma Deutscher, comparisons to Mozart, and applying Occam’s Razor across the lines of creativity, God and mystery. Also – on Church unity – Armenian and non.
Alma Deutscher on CBS’s 60 Minutes
Occam’s Razor
When Americans tried to unite the Church
Parable of the Sower
New Supernova
Einstein on Mystery
Engineered by Ken Nalik
Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for InHisShoes.org
Subscribe to In His Shoes » Next Step with Fr. Vazken by Email
Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com
Listen via Stitcher Radio on demand!