A New Era of Hope

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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

updated 032221 mm

Revelations from the River to the Oven

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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.

updated 032221 mm

All Things New

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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.

updated 032221 mm

Christmas Eve at the Manger

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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.

updated 032221 mm

Sun makes way for the Son

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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

updated 032221 mm

The Ox, House, and Wife on Advent

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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.

updated 031921 mm

Shaking Christmas Vampires

/0 Comments/in /by

 

Next Step #25 – December 3, 2008

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

updated 031921 mm

Thanksgiving Meal: Icon of the Holy Eucharist

/0 Comments/in /by

 

Next Step #24 – November 26, 2008

Well he promised and now he delivered! Fr. Vazken presents herein the holistic religion: Armenian Orthodoxy. And the Thanksgiving meal serves as the icon for this holistic expression. This is one of Fr. Vazken’s fundamental teaching points and a must-listen for the neophyte as well as the veteran. This also sets the tone for the season of Advent – the 50 day period leading to Christmas. And Fr. Vazken extends another promise -follow the journey of Advent with us and Christmas will never have the same meaning. You’ll understand it not as event in First Century Bethlehem, but as the essential event leading to the ultimate expressions of love. In this episode of the Next Step, you’ll learn of the incredible similarities between grandma’s house (over the river and through the woods) and God’s everlasting table.

New music from Gor Mkhitarian titled, “Snow” from the upcoming Spirit album as well as a track from Mariam Matossian’s In the Light album titled “Oosdi Gookas”. The Christmas concert is less than a month away. Tickets available from ItsMySeat.com

updated 031921 mm

No Thanks to Cults: Religion Gone Wrong

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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.

updated 031921 mm

Giving a Thanks Blessing

/0 Comments/in /by

 

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

updated 031921 mm