Things We Never Got Over: a bearded grump and the runaway bride in a spicy romance with drama and suspense

Things We Never Got Over is the first book in the Knockemout trilogy by Lucy Score. Knox Morgan is the bearded grump of Knockemout who prefers to live his life alone with his basset hound, Waylon, and certainly doesn’t tolerate drama. Naomi Witt left her groom at the altar and rushed to the small town in Virginia to rescue her estranged twin. However, little does she know that her twin sister, Tina, is not well liked in Knockemout and her ways haven’t changed. Naomi is left without her car, no money and suddenly in custody of her 11 year old niece she didn’t know she had. Knox doesn’t like complications or women, especially those with romantic notions; however, when he saw what Tina had done to Naomi, he felt compelled to help her out of the jam. When she was settled, he would leave her alone and go back to his solitary peaceful life. At least that’s the plan. 

From the opening chapter to the closing pages, Things We Never Got Over was filled with drama, suspense and the tension of two people who were fighting the obvious attraction with deep emotional scars and healing. There are also great moments of humor and heartfelt bonds of found family and a small town who protects their own, even the newest residents. I loved the gruff exterior of Knox that hides a deeply wounded heart of gold. Naomi is a woman who strives to be perfect in order to counter the heartless activities of her sister. There is a lot of personal growth for Knox and Naomi and I enjoyed seeing their deep emotional moments together. I also loved the supporting characters and the residents of Knockemout. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the other two books in the trilogy. I highly recommend Things We Never Got Over. 

Things We Never Got Over is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

With the passing of my father, I reflect on the memories, the wounds and the healing

Steven Joseph Nelson was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon as the oldest son of Claire M. and Marlene J. (nee Mingo) Nelson on September 22, 1954. At 18, he hitchhiked to California and eventually settled in Orange County. In 1977, he married his wife and they had four children. After 14 years of marriage, they divorced. He enjoyed flying and playing guitar. He is survived by his ex-wife, his four children, two sons in law, four granddaughters, three grandsons, his younger brother, his aunt and cousins and friends. On April 5, 2026, after a brief illness, I got word that my father died in his sleep. He was 71 years old. I was left with bittersweet and conflicted feelings. The thing is my father and I had a very basic relationship. He barely knew me and I definitely didn’t know him. The last time I talked to him was in September 2025 when he started to decline. He was so weak and could barely talk that it was a short conversation. But I realized that I didn’t have much to say to him. Through my life as I dealt with the issues in my life, I came to the realization that Steven Nelson was my father, but he was not my dad. 

In the days following his death, I wanted to focus on the happy memories I had of him. However, the more I thought of the happy memories, the more I was confronted with when he hurt and disappointed me. I started playing the flute in the fourth grade. When I wasn’t playing as well as he thought I should have been, my dad took me aside and played me a song by Jethro Tull and said “this is how the flute should sound like.” Anyone who knows Jethro Tull knows that Ian Anderson is a genius on the flute. To say it crushed me is an understatement. I knew I couldn’t play like Ian Anderson, so I gave up and never played it again. He didn’t show up for my 8th grade promotion ceremony claiming I, or my mother, never told him about it. I know we did. He barely made it to my high school graduation ceremony. Although he did come to my second college graduation and eventually my wedding. On the rare occasion when I needed help, I got the “the only time you guys call me is when you need money.” Anyone who truly knows me, knows how hard it is for me to ask for help. It was a blow that stung and I never called him again for anything after that. In recent years, we did try to have more of a relationship and there have been phone calls but there were few and far between. Either it was by choice or busy schedule, time got away from us both. 

I don’t write this to villainize my father. He was a broken man who found it easier to walk away. Though his example taught me what type of man I did not want. I did not want a man who wasn’t willing to work hard for the things he wanted in life. I wanted a man who engaged with his children, to celebrate their successes and encourage them when they failed. I wanted a man who would support me in my dreams, comfort me when I am afraid and encourage me to be better than I was the day before. A man who wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable, to admit he was wrong, to sincerely apologize and try to make it right. God brought such a man into my life when I needed him the most. My husband and I will be celebrating 17 years of marriage this July and while we have had our ups and downs, we are stronger together because of them. My husband is the type of father I wish I had. I love watching him interact with our daughters, to share similar interests and activities. He and our oldest daughter love watching horror films together. He and our youngest daughter enjoy doing yardwork together and watching old 80s cartoons. My husband is not a perfect man but he is a great man who tries. He admits when he is wrong, apologizes when he needs to and isn’t afraid to have deep emotional conversations. My husband is the first person I turn to. He has been my biggest cheerleader and protector. He is my best friend. 

A lot of people may ask how I was able to rise above my conflicted feelings about my dad. It is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, I have a Father who loves me unconditionally and never leaves me. You may ask how do I know he is always with me. I have many examples but one poignant moment that sticks out in my mind. On October 30, 2013, I went into preterm labor with my second daughter and in order to give her a better, slim but better, chance at survival, I went through a c-section. Sadly, she did not survive and I was in the hospital recovering. One of my aunts was there at the hospital and before she left, she prayed for me. When she left, I felt a distinct pressure on my head, as if someone laid a hand down in comfort. I remember crying for the first time since I arrived at the hospital. I even tear up thinking about it now 13 years later. He can do the same for you. He wants to be there in your sorrows and your joys. He loves you so much that he sent his only son, Jesus (John 3:16). He is a father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5, Psalm 10:14, Hosea 14:3). He desires a personal relationship with you. He desires to have personal communication with us. In prayer, we can speak directly to him and he answers through his scriptures (Matthew 7:7–8,11) and he knows our needs before we even ask for them (Matthew 6:8). He is always with us. When everyone who puts their faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is sent to us and never leaves us (John 14:16-17). Every good and perfect gift in my life, I know, have been given to me by my Father in Heaven (James 1:7). 

There is a difference between a father and a dad. Fathers are simply genetics but a dad is who helps shape their children’s lives. Plenty of men become fathers, but not all become dads. To the fathers out there, please fight for your children and be a dad. You can have a big positive impact on their lives. It may not seem like it but you do. Sons will learn how to be a man, a husband and a father from you. Daughters will learn what real love looks like and how a man who truly loves her will treat her from you. You have the choice to be your son’s first hero or first villain. You have the choice to be your daughter’s first love or her first heartbreak. Choose wisely. To the daughters out there who have the not so great or absent fathers, I feel your pain. It sucks and you deserve better. However, you can take his example and rise above it. Go through the grieving process as you heal from the wounds and the wounds can heal. It will be a painful chapter in your life; however, the pain does not need to define every moment. You deserve to be loved and cherished by a man who truly loves who and shows it every day. You can take your father’s example and look for the man who is his opposite in every way. Find a man who gives your future daughters the dads they deserve. The man who fits the bill may surprise you but you will wake up every day grateful that he loves you, perfections and imperfections and all. 

My father has passed away. But I do not grieve for him as my dad. I am sorry that his life is now over; however, I know in recent months, he had turned to Christ and accepted him as his Lord and Savior. I pray that it was sincere and that he was welcomed into Jesus's arms. I also pray that it was a happy reunion with his mother who passed away last year. While I am not left with many happy memories, I am left with an understanding that the mistakes of the past do not dictate my future. They influence what I can do better. I am grateful I have a Heavenly Father who loves me unconditionally. I am grateful that he is listening to me and waiting to give me all I need. All I need to do is ask. I am grateful that He sent me a husband who is a godly husband and father. I am grateful that my daughters have a better relationship with their father than the one I had with mine. To those who have a father shaped hole in your life, God the Father wants to have that relationship with you. Come to him with an open heart, put your faith in Jesus and nothing can separate you from Him (Romans 8: 36--39). 

Everybody's Favorite Guy: a forced proximity romantic short story

Everybody’s Favorite Guy by Katherine Center is a short story of two people forced to confront the past. Lily had fallen in love with her childhood friend, Walker, back in high school. When his stinging rejection crushed her, she vowed never to see him again. A vow she had kept until their families plot to get them together again. It is now seven years later, their families are gathering at a cabin in the Rockies. Lily and Walker arrive first and a sudden snowstorm traps them overnight with no power. Thanks to a cozy fire, a prowling bear and time, they confront their past and Lily learns that the past is a little more complicated than she thought. Could this be a new beginning for them both? Or will it tear them apart for good? 

Katherine Center is always great for an emotional story with humor and unusual circumstances. I usually don’t read short stories but I could not resist one written by Ms. Center. I wanted more. I didn’t want to say goodbye so quickly to Lily and Walker. I enjoyed their reunion and their night at the cabin. The tension was great and it was evident that her feelings for Walker were still there and even that Walker had feelings for her. But why did he reject her so hurtfully? His reason was noble but his method was questionable. There are bittersweet moments, plenty of laughs and the end will leave you with a smile. Overall, I enjoyed this story. If you enjoy a quick story of second chance romance, I highly recommend Everybody’s Favorite Guy. 

Everybody’s Favorite Guy is available in eBook and audiobook

Mistakes Were Made: he's straight laced, she's fly by the seat of her pants. Their relationship would be a disaster. Or would it?

Mistakes Were Made is the second book in the Story Lake series by Lucy Score. Zoey Moody is a literary agent who doesn’t like small town life. However, after being exiled from Manhattan’s publishing world, Zoey is forced to stay in the tiny Pennsylvania small town with Hazel, her best friend forever and her only remaining client. She needs Hazel’s next book to be a massive hit and she is determined to let nothing stand in her way except her gorgeous six foot two inch landlord. Gage Bishop is smart, serious, and sexy. Their mutual attraction is obvious; however, Gage is looking for a wife and Zoey is simply looking for a fun time. Gage thinks Zoey as the most beautiful woman he has ever met, but they are opposites. Where he is organized and has five year plans, Zoey is disorganized and can’t seem to work a calendar app. However, when a family secret rocks his world, Gage turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. Will one night be enough? Will Gage and Zoey realize that all they are looking for is right in front of them? 

I read book one, Story of My Life, and fell in love with the quirky small town. So I eagerly awaited Mistakes Were Made. From page one, this story had me laughing out loud. Oh the banter between Gage and Zoey, between Gage and his brothers and between other characters was so great. At times my face hurt with how much I was grinning. The romance between Gage and Zoey was spicy but sweet and tender as well. There is drama and my heart breaks for Zoey as she tries and yet still struggles with ADHD and keeping the aspects of her life up and running. Ms Score lovingly and realistically portrays ADHD and Zoey’s struggles as well as her elation when the changes she makes start to work. I loved all the Bishop family as they fought with each other and for each other. I loved all the animals and their personalities and antics, especially Gage’s dog, Nana. Overall, I love this book and didn’t want it to end. I love this series and I can’t wait for book three and Levi’s story. I highly, highly recommend Mistakes Were Made. 

Mistakes Were Made is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Last Letter: an emotional tragic story with loss, struggles and love

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros is a story of loss, love and the struggles. Ella MacKenzie was asked by her brother, Ryan, to write to his fellow serviceman who didn’t get many letters from home. She eagerly does. She and Beckett Gentry begin a friendship through their letters. Although she only knows him by his call sign, Chaos. When Ryan is killed in action, his last letter is to Beckett, asking him to watch over his sister and her two six year old twins, Colt and Maisie in Telluride, Colorado. Ella is raising her children on her own while running a local bed and breakfast and dealing with Maisie’s health struggles. Beckett leaves the army and arrives in Telluride with his retired K-9, Havoc, and immediately jumps into his new role. At first, Ella is resistant but soon there is an attraction that neither can resist. However, there are still secrets between them and the truth could threaten to tear them apart. 

I have seen The Last Letter heavily on social media. Many reviews highly recommended it while others warned the emotional damage readers would suffer after reading it. I looked forward to a good emotional story. From the opening chapter to the closing pages, the emotions and tears flowed. There were also moments of laughter and smiles. I loved Beckett as he takes his role as protector seriously. I loved Ella as an independent woman who was determined to prove those who doubt her wrong. I loved Colt and Maisie as the precocious twins with their unusual bond. I even loved Havoc and wished to have a dog like her. The ending was tragic but an expected tragedy. I was expecting one of five deaths and the death did not play out the way I expected. My only nitpick is one scene where a character from Lord of the Rings was referenced and in the book, the name was spelt, AOWYN when the character is EOWYN. If you are going to reference another character, spell the name correctly! Overall, I did enjoy this story. I highly recommend The Last Letter. 

The Last Letter is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Color of a Memory: grief, loss and moving forward with the memories

The Color of a Memory is the fifth book in The Color of Heaven series by Julianne MacLean. ER nurse Audrey Fitzgerald believed she had married a perfect man. Alex was a loving husband, a devoted father and a heroic firefighter who risked his life to save others. A year after his tragic death, she is struggling to move on when she finds information that threatens all she thought she knew about her husband. A picture and a name she had never heard before. A mysterious woman who holds the key to everything. Audrey discovers that in the weeks leading up to his death, Alex was distant, distracted and keeping secrets. With the help of a friend, she digs into his past and begins a journey that would lead her to a new future, one she never could have imagined. 

Continuing the arc which began in the third book, The Color of a Memory explores grief, loss and moving forward. This story had so many twists and turns that it kept me on the edge of my seat. My heart sank as Audrey discovered the evidence of what she thought was Alex’s secrets and the doubts that filled her head. I gasped at the reveal of who the mysterious woman was and her connection to Alex. I loved the interconnection of the characters and an example of how our own lives are interconnected whether we ever know it or not in a chain of events that can change lives forever. I enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I highly recommend The Color of a Memory and the earlier books in The Color of Heaven series. 

The Color of a Memory is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Hello Again: a sweet, clean second chance romance

Hello Again is the first book in the In The Garden series by Heather Tullis. Piper Daniels has only one wish: to keep Spencer, her little brother, out of trouble. However, between her work schedule and the lack of activities for teens in her neighborhood leaves her searching for options. When she comes to the idea of a community garden, she is inspired and dives into making her plan a reality. Until she hits a snag. The owner of the property she wants to use is a former flame. Reece Stone was the love of her life ten years ago. However, he left with a phone call goodbye and no other explanation. Now he is the head of Stone Enterprises and when Piper’s garden proposal comes across his desk, he is thrilled to have a second chance with her. 

Hello Again is a sweet, clean romance. I loved Piper as she works hard and struggles to help her little brother stay on the straight and narrow. Her idea of a community garden sounded fun and I loved how her friends supported her and helped her develop the plan. I also enjoyed Reece as he struggles to overcome his father’s shadow and run the business. I also liked how he interacted with Spencer. The romance between Piper and Reece was sweet but the plot itself with the garden was a bit too slow for me. Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was a nice read for a lazy afternoon. However, I am unsure if I will continue the series. If you enjoy sweet, clean second chance romance, I recommend Hello Again. 

Hello Again is available in paperback and eBook

 

Wolvers: pursuit, survival and redemption deep in the American Southwest

Wolvers by Taylor Brown is a story of pursuit, survival and redemption deep in the American Southwest. Trace Temple is looking for revenge. Broke and angry at the government after his family loses their New Mexico ranch. Living out of his truck when he is approached by a shady militia movement hires him to take down One-Eleven, the legendary she-wolf of the Dark Canyon pack. However, One-Eleven is no ordinary wolf. Cunning and seasoned in the ways of men, she’s always one step ahead of those who hunt her. After surviving a brush with death, Trace has a change of heart and joins forces with a survivalist and a local rancher in order to stop his replacement: a professional hunter and assassin who ruthlessly pursues his quarry including Trace himself. 

I have always loved wolves and find them fascinating. Wolvers is defined as one who behaves like a wolf or one who searches or hunts for wolves. From the opening chapter, Wolvers is a suspenseful, thrilling story as nature battles man and man battles man. I loved the wolf, One-Eleven as she skillfully eludes her hunters and I thoroughly enjoyed her sections of the story. Mr Brown does a great job with One-Eleven’s personality and I was reminded of Two Socks from Dances With Wolves (1990) and Jack London’s White Fang (1906). The sections with Trace and the other humans definitely had me rooting for One-Eleven and her pack. Overall, I enjoyed this story. It was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend Wolvers. 

Wolvers is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Burn the Kingdom Down: one woman seeks revenge and discovers twists she never expected

Burn the Kingdom Down by Addie Thorley is an enemies to lovers romantasy with intrigue and action. Rowenna Harrack, the crown princess of Tashir, left her homeland as the bride to the prince of Vanzador. One year later, she is dead and her sister, Indira, is demanded as her replacement for the prince. Indira only agrees to figure out the truth behind her sister’s death, convinced it was no accident, and take revenge on those responsible. It’s a simple plan to play nice and gather the necessary intel to avenge her sister and free herself and her country from the iron grip of Vanzador. However, when she arrives, nothing is as it seems or as terrible as Rowenna described in her letters home. As Indira develops friendly terms with her maid, a courtier and even grows closer to her new husband, Prince Alaric, she is unsure who or what to believe. She learns that everyone has secrets, even deadly ones.

Burn the Kingdom Down promised to be “action-packed” with romance that would leave readers “breathless” and “betrayals” that would rip their hearts out. It is an interesting premise and the opening chapter certainly grabs your attention. However, the story gets confusing from there. The enemies part of enemies to lovers was done well. The animosity between Indira and Alaric was excellent. The lovers part was a bit more unbelievable and sudden, given their intense animosity. Indira herself was a bit annoying as she refused to see that what she knew about the situation wasn’t what she thought it was. I liked the magic system in this story. Overall, it was an interesting story with lots of action. Though I wasn’t breathless at the romance or my heart wasn’t ripped out by the betrayals. I feel teen readers might enjoy this story more. If you enjoy romantasy stories, you may enjoy this one. I recommend Burn the Kingdom Down. 

Burn the Kingdom Down is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Where Wild Peaches Grow: two sisters reunite after their father's death and confront the past

Where Wild Peaches Grow by Cade Bentley is a story of family, cultural heritage and forgiveness. Nona “Peaches” Davenport left her home in Natchez, Mississippi fifteen years ago when she was betrayed by her family. She built a new life and became a professor of African American studies in Chicago. When the news of her father’s death reaches her, Nona must return home, a place she tried to forget. Julia Curtis has never forgiven her sister for leaving the family. However, Julia was determined to move forward as she focused on taking care of their father and grandmother. Julia now has a child and a career. When Nona returns to Natchez, their reunion is tenuous but soon they learn family secrets and everything they thought they knew could finally heal their relationship or tear them apart for good. 

Described as deeply emotional, I was expecting a family drama while dealing with grief and past hurts. However, I got a story about two sisters who were incredibly immature, especially Julia. I did not connect with either sister. Lies, miscommunication and drama for drama’s sake. Everyone had a secret of some type and when the big daddy secret was revealed, it was a major let down. The author tried to link racism and the town’s lore which didn’t quite connect for me. I kept asking “why?” for so many revelations and never got any answers, at least one I thought was satisfying. The story was a “short read” at 297  pages; however, it did not feel like it. It was confusing with too much history and not enough plot. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I do not recommend Where Wild Peaches Grow. 

Where Wild Peaches Grow is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Pet Doctor: when a small town vet falls in love with the local wedding planner

The Pet Doctor is the third book in the Emerson Pass Contemporaries series by Tess Thompson. Breck Stokes returns to Emerson Pass to take over his mother’s veterinarian clinic. He loves being back home in his small town and loves animals and the occasional nap. He can’t explain it but he is drawn to the lovely but reserved Tiffany Birt. Tiffany arrived in Emerson Pass and soon became their favorite wedding planner. What her friends don’t know is that she hides behind a wall and holds a secret of a haunting childhood. When her past becomes national news, she must decide if she continues to hide or confront her demons and make sure those who hurt her and others pay. Will she be free at last and be able to pursue a future with Breck? Or will the men from her past continue to haunt her? 

The Pet Doctor was a sweet, funny and dramatic clean romance. The story opens as Tiffany breaks free from the cult that wanted to bind her into servitude. She builds her life and settles in Emerson Pass where she catches the attention of Breck. Breck is sweet and quiet who has his own traumatic past. However, when he learns of Tiffany’s past, he becomes the support she needs. I loved them together and their romance was sweet. The drama about the cult was doing well without being overwhelming to the overarching story. There was also drama between Breck and his mother that was well done as well and I cheered when he finally spoke his mind. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Pet Doctor. I do recommend you start with book 1, The Sugar Queen. 

The Pet Doctor is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Let's Pretend This Will Work: one woman's search for happiness turns her life upside down

Let’s Pretend This Will Work by Maddie Dawson is one woman’s search for happiness which turns her life upside down. Mimi Perkins is a thirtysomething English teacher and single. She longs for love, so when Ren Yardley, the handsome, divorced drama teacher, shows interest, Mimi hopes this is finally the good news her psychic told her about. Ren soon proposes and she accepts. Soon after, Ren gets devastating news that his ex wife was in a horrible accident and he heads back to New Haven in order to take care of her and their two daughters. When Mimi suddenly loses her job and her apartment in one day, Ren invites her to come to New Haven to be close to him. There she finds a job at a local daycare and settles in. But as time goes by, Mimi begins to see that Ren and his family are slowly reuniting and now she needs to figure out what she wants to fight for and what she needs to let go. 

I was expecting a fun, quirky rom-com as a woman discovers what she really needs in life. However, this story was not it. From the very beginning, Mimi was annoyingly naive. When Ren proposes, Mimi hesitates and yet still says yes because her psychic said good things were going to happen. Ren was a walking red flag but he was just “so charming” that it is overlooked. When Mimi gets to New Haven, the cringiness and eye rolling events continue. The scenes in the daycare were just weird and the descriptions of the children were odd. I kept thinking children don’t normally act like this or say these things. Overall, I did not care for Mimi. I waited for her to realize her worth and stop chasing a guy who did not value her. I definitely did not like Ren. He was a pushy jerk from the very beginning. This story was not fun. It was definitely quirky with no rom com in sight. I do not recommend Let’s Pretend This Will Work. 

Let’s Pretend This Will Work is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Politics and Religion: the Good, the Bad, the Ugly and my thoughts

I recently heard someone make the comment that people need to keep their religion out of politics. When I heard this, I had a feeling that this individual was specifically speaking to Christians. Growing up, I heard on a regular basis that one does not discuss religion or politics as they often lead to conflict and damage relationships. However, by not discussing religion and politics and trying to leave religion out of politics we are teaching ourselves to avoid conflict rather than dealing with it peacefully and rationally. I decided to look into politics and religion: the good, the bad and the ugly. The intersection of politics and religion has a complex history from ethical guidance to deep conflict and violent altercations. After some research from both religious and non-religious perspectives, I will present a history of politics, religion and the American founding, as well as the good, bad and ugly when one mixes politics and religion and my own personal thoughts. 

Religious beliefs played a significant role in the political life of the United States. Many of the founding fathers fell into one of four categories: Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregational and Unitarianism/Deism. However, the founding fathers did not set out to create a Christian nation; however, they were not secularists who intended to shut out religion (Frazer, no date). Many Americans will repeat the phrase “the separation of church and state” to indicate that we are not to mix politics and religion. However, this phrase does not mean what many people think it does. It is the belief that government involvement in the church would corrupt the church, not the church involved in government. First, the concept was first used among early Baptists in America in 1644. Roger Williams, a Baptist minister, founder of the state of Rhode Island and the First Baptist Church in America wrote “a wall or hedge of separation between the ‘wilderness of the world’ and ‘the garden of the church’” (Ryman & Alcorn, 2023). The most famous use of the phrase was written by Thomas Jefferson in a 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist Association. Second, the phrase “the separation of church and state” is not in the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. Many individuals will cite the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment that the separation of church and state was implied. The Establishment Clause states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. In other words, the government cannot make or endorse an official religion. It is to keep government out of the church but not keep the church (i.e. believers) out of government. 

The Good that results with the mix of politics and religion. First, moral compass and justice. Micah 6:8 says “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?” Moral codes of conduct have been adopted by governments around the world. Rules which guide what is wrong and what is right. Second, community and charity. Practicing Christians are the most charitable people in the nation and not just to their churches but to religious and non-religious charities (Chandler, 2024). Many of the pioneer social reformers were driven by their faiths. Jane Addams, cofounder of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago, Illinois, was influenced by the works of Charles Dickens and advocated for better programs for the poor women and children. As a member of the Presbyterian church, she would spend her life being a voice to those who were powerless and became a prominent social reformer. Third, moral courage. Religion and moral courage are deeply intertwined as faith provides a foundation for strength and the ethical framework to act in the face of social pressures or danger. Proverbs 28:1 says “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” Paul encouraged Timothy as he faced opposition, reminding him that God gives us a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Bad about the mix of politics and religion is politicized religion. Politicized religion is when religion becomes increasingly marred in partisan politics (Campbell, 2020) as young Americans are abandoning religion when they see it as an extension of politics they do not agree with. Politicized religion also leads to polarization and tribalism which fosters division and prejudice. I have seen in the last decade as more and more people automatically hate or ridicule another group simply because of one’s affiliation with a church or a religion. “What do you expect she’s…” enter the chosen group. This type of tribalism also leads to opposition to compromise. With politicized religion, a growing divide between secularist and the religious. It becomes a us versus them mentality with little or no move to try to work with the other group. It becomes more about group identity than anything else. It becomes “if you aren’t with us, you are against us.” I don’t know how many times I have seen someone shocked to learn that someone else doesn’t think or believes something simply because of a given group identity. For example, many people think Latino automatically means liberal and Catholic or Middle Eastern and Muslim. Also, there is a growing trend in America where certain political individuals hijack Jesus and attempt to mold him into their ideology in order to validate their views and gain support. The most prominent example of this politicized religion is seen in Progressive Christianity. 

The Ugly about the mix of politics and religion is the weaponization of religion. According to Kathryn Echle (2023), there are three characteristics of weaponization religion. First, political manipulation. Political manipulation involves the use of religious sentiments and institutions to solidify support. This support often leads to theocracy and suppression of those who oppose those in power. Second, extremism and control. Weaponization promotes extremist ideologies and leads to radicalization and the justification of violence. It creates extremist groups which take the tenets of a religion to extreme measures and ultimately turn to violence in order to gain control or compliance. Third, virtue signaling. Virtue signaling in which people are using religion for image management rather than genuine belief. The use of religion for image can lead to exploitation and corruption.The mix of wealth and power with the pull of religion leads to greed, corruption and exploitation. Whenever anyone in the public eye makes the claim of being a Christian, I do not automatically believe them. I look for the evidence, the fruits in their lives, that they are truly believers. And while believers are not perfect and will falter, there still be proof in their lives that they truly believe and follow Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus tells us to watch for false prophets, to be careful of wolves in sheep’s clothing and by their fruit we will recognize one’s true character by their behaviors. 

I am not a person who is overly political. I do not belong to any political group. I do pay attention to what is going on politically in order to stay informed but politics does not dictate my every waking thought. Everything in my life is informed by my faith, including my political beliefs. The Christian’s primary concern is the gospel and being good citizens that we can represent Christ to the world (Winger, 2022). That is where my focus is to represent Christ as much as I can. It has become popular to fire politically charged questions at Christians; however, these questions are often to trap rather than find the truth or a solution (Winger, 2020). If I am ever faced with a politically charged question, I hope that my carefully chosen answer would bridge the person and Jesus rather than proving myself in the right and them in the wrong as Proverbs 15:28 says that “the heart of the righteous weighs its answers.” However, I know that it would be useless to teach holy concepts to people who do not want to listen (Matthew 7:6). Jesus tells us to be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16) meaning that we are to be discerning, quick to learn, to be careful of manipulation and deceptive traps and yet be gentle and act with integrity rather than inflicting harm. Therefore, as a Christian, my purpose is to be a light in the world and that includes the political world. 

In conclusion, religion and politics can be mixed carefully. To bring morality, justice, a sense of community and charity. Religion can be weaponized and used to manipulate and corrupt people in order to gain power and justify violence. While the United States of America was not designed specifically as a Christian nation, it is dishonest to ignore the faith foundations that are woven into the founding of this great nation. As for me, I focus on my identity in Christ as a wife, mother, friend, and citizen of this country. I will look to Christ as I cast my vote and voice my support or opposition. I aim to be more like Christ and while I may fail, I pray that others see him before they see me. Fellow believers in Christ, I urge you to not to shy away from politics, educate yourself, engage in the conversations when possible and be the light of Christ in a world that desperately needs it. 

Resources

Campbell, David (Summer 2020). The Perils of Politicized Religion. American Academy of Arts and Sciences. https://www.amacad.org/publication/daedalus/perils-politicized-religion. Retrieved March 13, 2026. 

Chandler, Diana (December 12. 2024). Christians are most charitable; giving drives happiness, State of the Bible finds. Baptist Press. https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/christians-are-most-charitable-giving-drives-happiness-state-of-the-bible-finds/. Retrieved March 18, 2026. 

Echele, Kathryn (May 20, 2023). Weaponization of Religion: The Manipulation of Religion in the Pursuit of Political Power in Yugoslavia and Syria. Fordham University. https://research.library.fordham.edu/international_senior/111/. Retrieved March 13, 206. 

Frazer, Gregg (n.d.). The Faith of the Founding Fathers. The Master’s University. https://www.masters.edu/master_tmu_news/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/#:~:text=There%20were%20Christians%20among%20the,to%20create%20a%20Christian%20nation.. Retrieved March 13, 2026. 

Ryman, Hana M. & Alcorn, Mark J. (October 17, 2023). Establishment Clause: Separation of Church and State. Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University. https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/establishment-clause-separation-of-church-and-state/#. Retrieved March 13, 2026.

Winger, Mike (2020). Being More Biblical About Politics: The Mark series part 47. https://www.youtube.com/live/dWBybF6T0HQ?si=n1Jgv9y8xJImvtXK. Retrieved March 8, 2025. 

Winger, Mike (2022). She asked me to talk about politics. The Bible Thinker. https://youtu.be/eV5dgUNoeHs?si=nH4xhdUT45rHrz4V. Retrieved March 8, 2025.