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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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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You’ll find this episode filled with “Happy Holiday” cheer, and here’s a hint: it’s not because Fr. Vazken wants to be politically correct! Christmas is coming and with the season of Advent, you’re invited to look within and at how the Christ child is being born around you and then within.
Also, in this episode we look at Vampires and the undead. As crowds line up to watch “Twilight” and emotions heat up, we compare it with the undead in the church, namely the saints, both those with a capital and a small ‘S’. The last segment of the podcast is dedicated to the 20th Anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia (December 7, 1988) and the formation of Armenian electronic multimedia through sain.org and the foundation for In His Shoes Ministries.
Featured song: “About Light” by Gor Mkhitarian
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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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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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Who was that masked man? Kimosabe? The disciples may not have asked this question, but they certainly challenged Jesus to reveal himself as the one who calms the sea and the wind. While Hurricane Gustav passed through without major calamity, Fr. Vazken looks at Mark chapter 4 and points to a greater miracle than calming the storm. After all, everything is possible with God . The greater miracle is in reaching out, in dissipating the fears caused by feelings of loneliness and abandonment.
BRAND NEW Song!!! The Day, from Gor Mkhitarian’s yet-to-be-released album, brought to you for the first time exclusively through Epostle.net.
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When Peter accepts Jesus invitation to be a fisher of people (Matthew 4), he and his brother Andrew are impulse buyers of Love. Its another example for us to not restrict our ability to love.
Included in this podcast is an interview with St. Nersess seminarian, Deacon Ryan Tellalian, who speaks about service and the St. Nersess experience. Featured song: The Fishermen of Sevan performed by oud virtuoso John Bilezikjian.
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Pain and suffering is experienced on different scales, whether on a grand scale as when natural disasters strike, or as experienced on the personal or individual level. Is this because the sins of some are greater or worse than others? The answer is found in Luke 13. In the Gospel, Jesus says NO! But He tells us that we must repent. To repent is to redirect our outlook, our attitude. What makes this possible? Where does Einstein’s belief in an expanding universe fit into this? Is God moving the bishop on the chessboard of life? Tune in to this next installment to find out!
