I watched my eight-year-old son carry his Bible into the dining room before resting it on the table. He slid into an empty chair and opened to the index. I looked up from the salad I was tossing on the counter. “Hey, buddy. Whatcha doing?” Nate frowned. “I have been feeling bad lately about not reading my Bible like I should.” His expression brightened into earnest fervor. “So I’m going to start reading my Bible every single day.” Oh, how I love his tender heart. I smiled. “Good idea! Where are you going to start? Genesis maybe?” “Nah.” He ran…

Welcome to This is my Story! Today, we get to chat with one of the most talented and uplifting ladies I know...and she has the cutest giggle ever. Say hi to Pepper Basham! On today's show, Pepper and I talk about raising cool kids, learning to listen, and the pros and cons of traditional versus independent publishing. We chat about Appalachia, and Pepper's early story inspiration: The Secret Garden, The Little Princess, Jane Eyre and all things British. Also on the show... Writing through grief, God speaking in story, being tested on what we write, snotting through sad scenes, and…

On today's show, Tara visits with her friend Janet Joanou Weiner, an author and missionary to France! Janet and Tara talk about culture shocks, the theology of niceness and the beauty of living in a 600-year-old chateau. Janet tells us all about her new book Though Darkness Descend, and the amazing history of the Hugenots that inspired it. Also in this show.... Where God is in suffering, happiness versus joy, and how story forms our view of the world. And the big question...what would Laura Ingalls think of our world today? Links: Home | Fig & Vine La vie est…

I keep seeing the words #JudasAteToo pop up in my social media sites. When I first heard of this trend, I was puzzled. What does it mean? What are people trying to say? The hashtags were littered all over the internet. Women are getting the phrase tattooed on their wrists. Then I did some research. What I found was troublesome. The #JudasAteToo philosophy seems to be linked hand-in-hand with love. Tolerance. Kind discussion. Being open and accepting to the sinners who don’t have it together as we do. Um, comparison is never a good thing. We either measure ourselves against…

On today's show, Tara chats with her buddy, Miss Virginia Senior and Miss Senior America, Patsy Hockaday! Patsy talks about the beauty pageant circuit and the ladies discuss the recent I-95 disaster...as well as a heart-warming story that resulted in the midst of the chaos. Tara knows the secret that turns a good meal into a great meal and the ladies discuss wounds, people pleasing, and alcoholism. Also in this show... Masterpieces, searching for ways to fill the void, and witnessing in bars. Also, catch a listen of Patsy and The Country Classics cover of "The Promise". Links: www.patsycountryclassics.com www.TaraJohnsonStories.com

In today's show, Tara welcomes Kristen Demery, Kenra Roehl, and Julie Fisk of The Ruth Experience. The ladies discuss Christmas light shows, family traditions and just how these three awesome women found the name The Ruth Experience. They chat about early story inspiration (Little House, Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew, and Mary McCracken), along with what it's like to collaborate on writing projects. Also in this show... Raising kids to be kind, vulnerability, understanding grace, and words of the year. Links: www.theruthexperience.com www.TaraJohnsonStories.com The Ruth Experience Books: Daily Acts of Kindness Daily Acts of Friendship Friendship for Girls One…