Archived Messages -- January 26, 2004 to March 22, 2004

March 22, 2004: Peace begins with me

Hello, I'm Paul John Roach, senior minister of Unity Church of Fort Worth.

I invite you to hold this thought today: Peace beings with me.

Instead of waiting for every circumstance to be perfect or for all wars to cease I look for peace within my own heart. It exists there because it is a gift of God. And contacting it changes everything.

Take a moment, right now, to be still, to remember that you are so much more than the events of your life. You are a living temple of God's peace. Feel it. Live it.

In the rush and tumble I relax and I affirm: Peace begins with me.

March 15, 2004: Stop and listen

Hello, This is Ed Conrad, associate minister with UCFW

Many of us remember those moments when we heard a bell ring. In school it always meant it was time to move on to the next class. In other traditions, the ringing of a bell signifies a time to stop and take at least 3 quiet, mindful breaths. Then, work continues. We can choose to let many things stop us -- a telephone ringing, a stoplight, a traffic jam, opening a door, that moment before you begin to eat or drink. Choose one common occurrence during your day to serve as a silent pause and then proceed on. See how your life changes. Stop and listen to that inner voice of Spirit. You''ll be glad you did.

March 8, 2004: Anger

Hello, I'm Paul John Roach, senior minister of Unity Church of Fort Worth.

People often say "Surely Jesus didn't get angry. He must have been giving us some kind of lesson when he turned over the tables in the Temple." True it was a lesson but being a full human being Jesus felt anger and every other human emotion.

It is not having anger that is the problem it is what we choose to do with it.

Today I acknowledge there are times when I am angry. Anger springs from fear and from feeling separate. I use the energy available in anger to help me remember that, as a spiritual being, I am safe and always connected to the Source.

In this way I do not deny my humanness on my journey to spiritual understanding.

March 1, 2004: The culture of instant gratification

Hello, This is Ed Conrad, associate minister with UCFW.

In a culture of instant gratification, we are reluctant to allow things to be unknown or unfinished. We feel pushed to know what is next. In actuality, most things of real value show themselves slowly. Life has endless beginnings each week, each day, each moment. Let that work in your favor. When feeling trapped by a problem let the problem be and back away. It is okay to develop the quality of a receptive, open mind and a willingness to wait. In that space the Great Natural of Spirit can work through you to bring forth new revelations. As the Psalmist says, sometimes we only need to "be still and we will know."

February 23, 2004: Don't worry, be happy

Hello, I'm Paul John Roach, senior minister of Unity Church of Fort Worth.

Everything is fine; don't worry be happy.

These statements can be made either when we are deep in denial and trying to slap a positive attitude on everything or when we deeply realize the order and harmony of God's universe.

When we are in denial mode such affirmations can be ineffective even damaging. Yet when we feel Spirit move in our lives we discover a flow of good that is truly inspiring and brings us a sense of peace and stability.

Today don't bother doing mental gymnastics - get simple and be present to what this perfect moment brings. In that moment we can say with conviction, "Yes everything is fine."

February 16, 2004: The hungry ghost

Hello, This is Ed Conrad, associate minister with UCFW.

The marketplace provides ever increasing choices; yet we never seem to have our fill. We remain hungry and thirsty for true happiness. Tibetan Buddhists call this endless craving the ''hungry ghost.'' The hungry ghost has an enormous belly, but a tiny throat. It never consumes enough to satisfy itself. It seems we have created a hungry ghost economy. We are manifesting more suffering, unhappiness. Happiness is simply the choice to be appreciative of what we already have. The painful demands of a frantic pace disconnect us from life''s simple pleasures -- praying, walking, laughing, being together with those we love. Be drawn to life's simple pleasures.

February 9, 2004: Eat, drink, and be merry

"Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die." Is that all there is to life?

Hello, I'm Paul John Roach, senior minister of Unity Church of Fort Worth.

Eating, drinking and being merry certainly have their place but there is more. Who we are in Truth does not have to eat or drink or get high. Who we are as spiritual beings is expansive wisdom, limitless love and abundant life. The imprisoned splendor of our true nature is always waiting to be expressed.

This week don't settle for second best in your life. You are more than the routine of eating, drinking, working and playing. Your love has no bounds and its expression is a blessing in our world.

February 2, 2004: Remember the Sabbath

Hello, This is Ed Conrad, associate minister with UCFW.

Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Sabbath is so much more than setting one day aside. Even that we''ve forgotten how to do. Any moment in time in which we pause to remember the beauty and amazing gift of life is a Sabbath. Time is the key along with attention. Wayne Muller in his book entitled Sabbath says, " If we grab a sandwich on the run, this is eating. If we take a small crust of bread and a sip of wine, in a mindful gathering of other beings, this is a sacrament. It is neither food nor the eating but the time and the mindfulness that reveal what is holy." Create Sabbath moments in your everyday life and watch your good grow."

January 26, 2003: Sleep is important

Hello friend, I'm Paul John Roach, senior minister of Unity Church of Fort Worth.

Sleep is important isn't it, but we don't want to sleep our lives away. The idea is to wake up!
Waking up means letting go of the trance or the dream that seemed to limit and confine us. The sad thing is that many of us are so taken with our dreamworld that we show no inclination to wake up. The cage is open but we sit there singing our plaintive song of confinement.

How about becoming awake to your life this week? Do a new thing. Walk free. Become aware and sing a new song.

Yes I am awake this Monday and I go forward to meet my good.

Before "Weekly Prayer", Unity Church of Fort Worth offered weekly inspirational messages on WRR, 90.1 Radio Station.

Archived WRR Radio Messages:
July 5, 2004 - Oct. 25, 2004
June 7, 2004 - June 28, 2004
March 29, 2004 - May 31, 2004
Jan. 26, 2004 - March 22, 2004
Nov. 17, 2003 - Jan. 19, 2004

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