God begs you not to bury the gift of God that you are by fear, judgment or condemnation of others. Help others see they too are gifts from God. That doesn't mean you condone everything others may do. But it does mean you welcome them as children of God that they are.

The most important thing that pleases God is your faith in Him. He is very happy when you trust Him. God knows what is best for you. He desires your happiness. Psalm 34:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

St. Francis understood the power of good example when he said, "Remember when you leave this earth, you can take nothing that you have received – only what you have given.” 

When you "give human kindness" to anyone who "needs human kindness," you satisfy all three of God's commands to love.

Pope Francis is urging the faithful to calm down. The purpose of the Synod is not to change Church teaching on marriage or allow blessings on gay unions. They are trying to formulate a "theology of love" which is inclusive not exclusive, which is accepting not rejecting.

Start your day with this simple prayer, "God, who do you want me to love today and show me how to do it." 

Brother Jim Townsend went to arms of His Father on June 12, 2011 at age of 84. He is buried at the friar's plot at St. Mary Church in Herman, Pa. I have visited his grave several times. God used this broken earthen vessel, a criminal who took three lives, to affirm the dignity of every human life. If Brother Jim were alive today, he would be voting "no" on Ohio Issue One.

I believe all the problems in our country are spiritual. I define spirituality as loving God, loving neighbors and loving self. Once you eliminate the love for God, the other two loves will cease. I have met many people who are lonely and anxious. But once they let God into their life, I am amazed how their life changed for the better.

There is a far more important reason to forgive than just a desire to be happy. Jesus says how you treat others is how God will treat you. If you claim your right to punish someone who hurt you, then God will claim His right to punish you. But when you show mercy, God will shower His mercy on you.

The greatest faith is to keep believing God loves you when everything says He doesn't.

Something happened to me last week that I never experienced before. I couldn't even find the words to describe the experience until I accidentally found an article on the internet that explained what happened to me. 

How will Jesus remember you in your judgment? Have you lived your life in a way that Jesus will remember you as faithful to Him? Will He remember you as living Micah 6:8, "This is what the Lord requires of you. Be fair to other people. Love kindness and loyalty, and humbly obey your God." 

Jesus not only walked on the water to save his disciples, but he walked on the dirty road to Golgotha to save us all. I believe Jesus fell three times because He was running to Golgotha to accomplish His Father's will and bring us home. 

The Transfiguration was the greatest of all spiritual experiences. A spiritual experience is a powerful awareness of God's presence. It's like feeling His love enfolding you in a warm blanket right out of the dryer on a cold day. It feels so good. 

You must answer this question when you accept Jesus into your life: "What am I willing to do to enter Heaven?" Heaven is the pearl of great price. It is the hidden treasure in the field. How far will you go to possess it?