The Next Step

Next Step #172: Twenty years of independence for Armenia gives cause to reflect on "declaring what is self-evident" and how to take the next step to actualize dreams of independence - personally and as an institution. Determining which laws are just and which are unjust. What is God's law and rules? A reading of the Declaration of Independence and Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail. Just/unjust laws. Why you won't see things getting better in the Armenian Church. The role of institutions: maintaining and preserving the status quo. We know the problems - now what's the solution - When the door opened the first woman deacon entered - its time to do the same. The Centrality of Christ in the Church - if He's in the church, what is more important outside? If he's not, everything outside can be more important. Answering the argument and problem of language in the church - here it is!

New podcast - Compass at http://epostle.net

Music: "Mer Hayrenik" - National Anthem of Armenia. Watch video at http://youtu.be/je95_TmJd6s 

Ani's Bubbles: What Cancer Can Do.

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

There's still time to Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards (http://www.podcastawards.com/) in the category "Religious Inspiration"

Nominations close September 30, 2011.  Please get your votes in!

URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Next Step #171: "Mush-Rope" is the way to say it. Armenian Orthodoxy in the New World and the New Era: Apologetic with no apology! Allowing evolution to take its course in the church. Coordinating the head and the body - allows us to say YES to Christ's message of love and hope. Finding faith, hope and life in the 9/11 commemoration - 2011 is the year Easter falls on April 24, and the Holy Cross on September 11 - it's the year of victory.

Compass - a first look: http://youtu.be/JlJdLLhp51c 

Song: "Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon as performed on 10th anniversary of 9/11: http://youtu.be/eanv5XRjwLg

India Arie - "Intro: Loving" http://www.indiaarie.com/

Questions in Faith - new season kicks off: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/qoff

Fr. Vazken's speech at 9/11: http://armenianorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/09/911-day-of-remembrance-service-at.html

Prayer for 9/11: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/09/prayer-for-10th-anniversary-of-911.html

Ani's Bubbles - The Heart of a Teacher by Paula Fox

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Vote for the Next Step at the 7th Annual Podcast Awards in the category "Religious Inspiration"

URL for Next Step nomination: http://www.blubrry.com/nextstep

Next Step #170: The 10th anniversary of the Terror Attacks of 9/11 coincides with the Elevation of the Holy Cross. 10 years of change, of war and opportunities - some seized, some missed. Armodoxy as a challenge to take the Next Step by walking in the shoes of others.  God's will and evil: Rejecting scapegoating and the silliness of the Christian superiority complex. You are NOT helpless - no Twinkies here! You CAN make a difference in the world and in your life. 9/11 theme: "I refuse to Hate You" Also - answers to some important questions: Can I fight injustice? Does Jesus care who Chaz Bono dances with? 

Join us in Burbank on 9/11: http://inhisshoes.org/flyers/911Burbank.jpg

And - some more clues to "Compass" premiering on the Autumnal Equinox. View promo

Music: "I told Jesus" by Roberta Flack

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Next Step #169: Labor Day - an opportunity to look for purpose and meaning in our work and our lives. Avoiding the path of distortion. If God is "calling" am I listening? If God is "calling" am I answering? Armenianism beyond Kim and baklava. Premiere of Fall line-up on Epostle.net - including the new "Compass" show. Are the best things in life free?

Anush's Blog: "Inside the Pomegranate"

9/11 Event: http://inhisshoes.org/flyers/911Burbank.jpg

Song: Alan Hovhaness' "Mystic Flute"and "Moon Dance"

Ani's Bubbles "Juggling Life" by Coca-Cola CEO

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Next Step #168: Interview with Linda Maxwell, co-founder of We Care for Youth and facilitator for In His Shoes Ministries. Caring for youth is a calling for Linda Maxwell. She does so with love, care and compassion. Here she discusses her work with kids, and the power of the spirit in bringing about change. She discusses her latest project  - a Day of Remembrance on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. The "Raul Aguirre Story," - a young man slain on the streets of Glendale and the power of forgiveness in the healing progress (see - http://7x77.org)  Candid discussion about the spiritual dimension of youth care - a must-hear for anyone concerned or working with youth. Also - reflections on news of Steve Jobs leaving Apple Computer; Earthquakes and Hurricanes - take it easy! Newsweek says NO - what about you? Promo for "Compass" - coming this Fall on Epostle.net

Song: John Bilezikjian "Sevani Tzugnors Bar"

Ani's Bubbles "A Prayer for Children"

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Next Step #167: Hug from the lady who lost Max and the importance of human touch. Science & religion met at the grape blessing as they do in all things Christ-centered. The victims of the sexual revolution and the claim-to-fame of the famous. Divorce and the family/children. The primary purpose of institutions is Darwinian in nature. Listen up - and get a hug coupon while you're at it. Details today.

Musical Selection: "Armenian Dance" by John Bilezikjian http://dantzrecords.com/

Ani's Bubbles "River Rafting"

Links on today's show:

Bikes you need to check out http://predatorcycling.com/

NPR - Study: Are cohabitating parents bad for kids?

Man from Ick: http://armodoxy.blogspot.com/2011/08/man-from-ick.html

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Look for The Next Step on blubrry.com

Next Step #166: Exploring further the Mother of God as an expression of connecting to the TRUE vine - John 15 - Productivity by staying connected to the Vine and yielding the Fruit of Love (Finally! Grapeblessing explained). Armodoxy and St. Mary - Bringing women's issues in forum. Archbishop Barkev's Answer: A Koan from Karabakh? Four sisters, Marie, Lusaper, Srpuhi and Diruhi pointing to the Blessed Virgin.  The Institution and the Message - Insuring connections to the Vine.

Petros Malakyan taking Indiana students to Armenia: http://tcarmenia.osmblogs.com/wordpress/

Catholicos Karekin I's statement on women (1995, Beijing): http://www.aiwa-net.org/Karekin.html

Song by Eric Clapton & Pavarotti  "Holy Mother"

Ani's Bubbles "Man from Ick"

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Next Step #165: In preparation of the feast of Assumption, Fr. Vazken takes a step toward understanding St. Mary as a model for saying yes to Love. This is more than the story of an angel visiting the Blessed Mother of God, it's about a visit we receive daily to become ambassadors of God's Love in the world. This is prelude to the feast - part one of two. Also - thoughts on self-worth and the plight of women in the world. St. Mary opens a discussion about women's issues that cannot be dismissed by the Christian.

Julia Roberts story

Join us for Prof. Petros Malakyan on the Epostle Ustream channel - August 10; 7:30PST

John Lennon's song

Song by Shoushan Petrossian

Ani's Bubbles "Mary's Letter to Mothers"

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Next Step #164: The elements of the Transfiguration of the Lord are looked at through the lens of Armenian Orthodoxy. Making sense of the water feast of Vartevar. Part 2 of 2 on the theme - understanding the CENTER figure as between Law and Prophet. (Part 1 - see NS episode #163) Seeking validity for ourselves from non-Christian sources. Summer readings and the fallacy in catch-up mentality. The Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 17 as the platform for this weekend.

Song: "Arev, Arev" by Mariam Matossian 

Ani's Bubbles "Little Wave"

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net

Next Step #163: Understanding Light as a function of temperature and not lumens. Fr. Vazken takes the listener on a journey to the Beginning, when light meant more than a sun ray, cf. “I am the Light of the World” – Jesus Christ. This is the first of a two-part podcast that explores the story of the Transfiguration (Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 17)  in terms of light and focus. Comments on Exorcism from “Beyond Belief” and Fr. Albert (Jerry Springer with a collar?) – a mirror of society’s needs and wants. An end to the Space Shuttle Program comes as the HP-G60 is retired from the Next Step.

Song: Sona Shaboyan "Yes mi garib biulbiuli bes"

Ani's Bubbles: "Peace of Mind"

Produced by Suzie Shatarevyan for epostle.net