The BFG (Built For God) Handbook reflects the principles of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, often referred to as “The Little Way” or “The Little Flower.” Keith is particularly inspired by her heartfelt desire to become a missionary in North Vietnam, the land of his birth and home to the Catholic Church, Phuong Duc, which was built by his great-grandparents.

St. Thérèse earnestly prayed for healing from her illness so she could travel to Vietnam and serve as a missionary. She was one of the first to volunteer in response to calls for more sisters to assist in missionary work, demonstrating her eagerness to serve. This dedication is beautifully captured in her letter to a French priest, expressing her longing to serve:

“This will perhaps surprise you; is it not a dream that a Carmelite think of leaving for Tonkin? Well, no, it is not a dream, and I can assure you that if Jesus does not soon come looking for me for the Carmel of Heaven, I shall one day leave for that of Hanoi, for now there is a Carmel in that city, the Saigon Carmel recently founded it.”

St. Thérèse also admired the missionary St. Théophane Vénard, who was martyred in Tonkin, North Vietnam, in 1861. She reflected on his life with these words:

“I have read the lives of many missionaries. One I have read is the life of Théophane Vénard, which interested me and touched me more than I can say. I like Théophane Vénard even more than St. Louis de Gonzaga, because the life of Saint Louis de Gonzaga was extraordinary and Théophane Vénard’s was quite ordinary. . . . My soul is like his. He is the one who has best lived my way of spiritual childhood.”

While it was not God’s will for St. Thérèse to fulfill her dream of missionary work in Vietnam, her mission to shower the world with roses from Heaven continues to touch lives. She passed away from tuberculosis in 1897 at the young age of 24, uttering her last words, “My God, I love You.” Canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1925 and declared the Patron Saint of Universal Missions in 1927, she is revered as “The Little Way” or “The Little Flower” of Jesus Christ.

Her “Way of Spiritual Childhood” significantly influenced the Second Vatican Council, encouraging a return to the Word of God. Through her humble and simple life, St. Thérèse revolutionized the understanding of God—not as a figure of fear or vengeance but as the embodiment of Love, Life, and Joy:

“I feel that my work is just beginning, my work of making people love God as I love Him, of giving my “Little Way” to other souls.” – St. Thérèse de Lisieux

Pope Pius X (1903-1914) referred to Sister Thérèse as “the greatest saint of modern times.” On June 2, 1980, Pope John Paul II emphasized her significance by stating: 

“The `Little Way’ is the way of `Holy Childhood’. It is a way to confirm and renew the most fundamental and universal truth. After all, which of the Gospel’s truths is more fundamental and more universal than this, God is our Father and we are His children?” 

Carmelite Father Marie Eugéne declared: 

“She, a little child, will teach the souls who will make up the army of the last days to give themselves over entirely to God’s mercy. We are at the start of her mission. The great works are still to come, and they will show her at last for what she really is, great among all the saints!”

Her trust in God deeply inspired St. Faustina Kowalska during her own illness, thought to be tuberculosis. In 1932, St. Thérèse appeared in St. Faustina’s dream, urging her to place complete trust in Jesus. Miraculously, St. Faustina recovered three days later. Today, her legacy continues to guide countless souls to embrace God’s love and mercy.

Keith first encountered St. Thérèse on October 1, 2019, during a meeting with Fr. Barry. As he walked away from the conversation, he and his cousin were enveloped by the scent of roses, though no roses were nearby. Unaware of its significance at the time, Keith later learned this was St. Thérèse’s feast day. In a subsequent meeting, Fr. Barry likened Keith to St. Faustina, recognizing his deep trust in Jesus even amidst challenges. Keith was humbled by the comparison, later sharing this revelation with his family after watching a film about St. Faustina. His children also drew parallels between Keith’s faith and trust in Jesus and St. Faustina’s enduring spirit.

“Jesus, I trust in you.” – St. Faustina

Keith’s journey to complete the Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching (BFG Handbook) has been fraught with challenges, including financial hardships, criticism, and health issues. Despite this, Keith’s unwavering trust in God sustained him. When questioned by his father about his joy amidst such trials, Keith explained:

“The suffering you see is actually the joy I experience. I’ve grown more intimate with God, which has deepened my understanding of His sacrifice for us on the cross… The closer I draw to Him, the more joy I find. So, the suffering you notice in my life reflects God’s goodness as He fulfills His promise in me. Please don’t worry about me; instead, pray for those who do not know God.”

“It’s true, I suffer a great deal–but do I suffer well? That is the question.” – St. Thérèse  de Lisieux

Keith was deeply concerned that the long hours of work had severely impacted his physical health. Sharing his worries with his wife, he confided that if anything were to happen to him, he wanted her to continue his mission to restore the Truth. Unfortunately, his fears came true. Years of neglecting his health and ignoring the warning signs his body gave him led to a critical moment in 2019. Keith found himself in the ER, and within hours, the doctors decided he needed emergency surgery.

As they prepared him for the procedure, the medical team discovered that his body was too weak, raising concerns about complications. They chose to postpone the five-hour surgery until the following day. On the morning of May 29, 2019, as Keith anxiously waited for the operation, he received an unexpected call from his wife. Her message was surprising and deeply significant, connected to a calendar she had gifted him for his birthday.

Max Lucado May 29 Calendar Message:

You’ll get through this waiting room season just fine.
Pay careful note, and you will detect
The most wonderful surprise. The doctor will step out
Of his office and take the seat next to yours.
“Just thought I’d keep you company while you are waiting.”
Not every physician will do that, but yours will
After all, he is the Great Physician.

After hearing those words, Keith felt God reassuring him that everything would be okay. This reassurance mirrored how St. Thérèse spoke to St. Faustina in her dreams, encouraging her to trust in Jesus during her illness. Remarkably, not only was Keith’s health fully restored, but the business he had temporarily stepped away from to complete the Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching was also miraculously recovered, exceeding his expectations.

As Keith continued his journey, he uncovered a profound connection to his heritage. He learned that his great-great-grandfather, Hoang Lenh Thu, had died a martyr for the Faith. Following this act of devotion, Keith’s great-grandfather and grandmother, Riem, went on to build the Catholic Church, Phuong Duc, in North Vietnam. This revelation led Keith to reflect deeply: Could his mission be to fulfill St. Thérèse’s heartfelt prayers for North Vietnam?

“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.” – St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Today, Keith is joined by Bishop Kevin W. Vann, Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, Fr. Michael Barry, Fr. Bao Thai, Fr. Michael Khong, and his wife, Tracy, in their mission to restore the Truth of Faith through St. Thérèse’s Little Way—a path accessible to all. Together, they believe that true Wisdom is found only in this Truth, which they share through the BFG Handbook.

Their mission is to foster meaningful dialogue that transcends rules, regulations, and religious or political differences, unveiling core principles that embody a universal truth. This shared language is designed to be accessible, empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives. By integrating moral and cultural truths relevant to today’s society, their aim is to renew spirits and help people rediscover the beauty, goodness, and Truth of the Faith.

“I can nourish myself on nothing but truth” – St Thérèse of Lisieux

The Truth in the Bible may seem unfamiliar or challenging to non-Christians, making it essential to present a simple, universally good way of living that is not bound by rules or laws. As Luke 6:31 teaches, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Each individual, whether Christian or non-Christian, has their own perception of Truth. Imposing beliefs can often lead to resistance, even among practicing Catholics, who may struggle with rigid laws. At the core of the law is love for one another, and God, who understands every human heart, makes no distinctions when cleansing it. Therefore, it is unjust to project personal interpretations onto others. Instead of burdening non-Christians with laws, Christians should focus on expressing differences through a universal Truth that is simple and easy to grasp.

The BFG Handbook offers a solution for fostering healthy relationships among diverse cultures and faiths by communicating this universal truth. St. Thérèse of Lisieux exemplifies this approach, highlighting that while rules and laws can be easily dismissed, friendships are harder to abandon, enabling meaningful dialogue. Her Little Way provides a simpler method to uncover the fundamental truths of faith in today’s world.

The Little Way is available to everyone; it does not require elite knowledge or complex methods to reach Heaven. Instead, it offers a modern interpretation of God’s Word, guiding a disheartened society back to the Gospel. St. Thérèse’s path to sainthood provides comfort and inspiration to those facing emotional or spiritual challenges, as she promised to intercede “to the end of time.” Her approach is direct and universally accessible, requiring no advanced theological training, which led to her being named a Doctor of the Church by St. John Paul II in 1997.

St. Thérèse aimed to simplify the relationship with Faith, focusing not on intricate theology or eloquent prayers but on creating an alternative, more approachable way to connect with God. The BFG Handbook reflects these principles, seeking to restore the Truth of the Faith. It aligns with the Church’s call to build an army of saints for the New Evangelization. As Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, co-author of the BFG Handbook, explains, “It is not a different gospel, but a presentation of the gospel that is new through its ardor, through its methods, and through its expression.”

The truth revealed in the Built For God Handbook enables individuals to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit, paving the way for effective evangelization. This embodies a crucial call from the Church to form an army of saints for a New Evangelization.

“God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.” – St. Thérèse de Lisieux

Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching, BFG Handbook
“This book is a personal journey to the spiritual common ground between East and West – an important quest for humanity, and a worthy goal for all of us.” – Derek Lin, Award-Winning, Bestselling Author in the Tao Genre.

St. Thérèse de Lisieux, Pray For Us!