Join me in episode #4 to hear the story of how "O Holy Night" came to be. Only God could use an atheist, a Jew and two of the bloodiest wars in the world to bring His message of joy and peace to a broken world.

Check out the latest installment of This is My Story! https://blubrry.com/thisismystorywithtarajohnson/83281318/episode-3-silver-strands-and-even-ifs-with-crystal-caudill/ On today's show, Tara and Crystal chat about messy families, the power of not being perfect, plastic Christianity and balking heroes of faith. Crystal shares how escaping PE class led her to Christ. The ladies talk about classics, Christian fiction, wild research, and Crystal's new release Counterfeit Love. Also on this show... Silver strands, Bearing Precious Seed and what God teaches us when we say "even if". Links: www.crystalcaudill.com Bearing Precious Seed- www.bpsmilford.org Pre-order Crystal's upcoming novel here: Counterfeit Love: Caudill, Crystal: 9780825447402: Amazon.com: Books

For years, my kids and I have begged my husband to put up outdoor Christmas lights. For twenty plus years he has refused. He knows it’ll be a pain. He fears it will damage the house. I personally think he’s afraid it will look like the Griswold residence and doesn’t want the hassle. Finally, last year he conceded and bought thousands of lights after the post-Christmas sales hit the stores. During the passing of the year, he forgot all about those lights tucked away in the closet…but I didn’t. When I reminded him about the lights, he groaned but reluctantly…

  Once upon a time, there lived a poor girl named Anna. Anna’s only talent was weaving. She lived with her mother in Salzburg, Austria until, on one fateful day, she met a soldier named Mohr who was stationed in her town. As their friendship grew, she fell in love with the dashing man, and felt nothing but joy when she learned she was carrying his baby. Little Joseph was born on December 11, 1792, but her elation soon turned to heartbreak when her only love, the father of her child, abandoned them both to an unknown future. Ann had…

Writer, editor, mom, wife and friend Janyre Tromp sits down with me to talk about the messy stuff, and the fun stuff, in life. We talked about growing up in church and how Jesus doesn't make things easy once you're saved. From a hard home life to watching her daughter struggle to live, Janyre has walked through some dark valleys. We explore the idea of beauty in the mess and what it means to lose control. Also in this show, walking miracles, writer inspiration, God's will, C.S. Lewis, weird research facts, Janyre's upcoming releases, and the annoying pat answers that…

This is the month many of us set aside to contemplate our blessings…or so we say. We see social media posts about gratitude, make holiday plans with our families and enjoy an abundance of rich, decadent food. I fear we’re choking on our wealth, empty inside from the striving to have more. Several years ago, I spoke at a woman’s retreat in Belize. The women who attended came from poor villages—many of their houses made from nothing more than hastily constructed plywood and tarps. The fortunate had coarse plumbing. Women washed their clothes in the river and could make the…