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Tara Johnson

sharing stories through writing, speaking and singing

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Blog

A Tale of Three Dogs: What it Means to Walk with God

Posted in: Blog | February 6, 2021

I have three dogs that keep me hopping. All different breeds, all different ages. Their favorite thing each day is for me to walk them around our neighborhood. It’s not an easy task. Trying to keep three dogs in pace with varying temperaments and attitudes can be tricky, but God has taught me a lot about myself and my relationship with Him as I’ve wrestled my wild canines and herded them through our quiet streets. Brieanne is an 8 month old blue heeler and is Read More

What’s up with the Christian Cliches?

Posted in: Blog | September 8, 2020

Guys, sometimes we just need to stop. Stop and think about what we say. Words have power. They have meaning. What we say can build up a life or destroy it. The phrases we so easily fling from our lips can stir up hate and violence, or bring peace. They can cause someone to run to the arms of a loved one, or dash away into the night. They can bend the thoughts of the wise or crush the weak. Sometimes, I think we hear Read More

Cracked Pots

Posted in: Blog | March 28, 2020

A fable A water bearer in India had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full potion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house. The cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and Read More

What I Learned in the Darkness

Posted in: Blog, depression | February 13, 2020

I’ll never forget the night I told God, “I want out.” I was Miss Christian. I did it all. Taught the classes. Organized VBS. Took the teens to church camp. Always smiling. Always ready to lend a hand. And I was miserable inside. Depression is a silent cry. Likewise, anxiety is a storm of crippling intensity inside the mind, but can appear like a tranquil lake on the outside. Depression is not always the dark-clad figure hiding in the back of the room. It’s the Read More

Shattering the Fairytale: When Perfect Isn’t Enough

Posted in: Blog | January 22, 2020

The Disney princesses messed me up. I confess I had quite a fascination with them when I was growing up (after I finished my Princess Leia phase, that is). I was going to be as beautiful as Aurora and I was going to have a grand adventure like Belle. And I was going to be a singer like Ariel. Or at the very least, a marine biologist. But let’s get real for a moment, shall we? There was one big problem with all those Disney Read More

Where Have All the Good Girls Gone?

Posted in: Blog | January 12, 2020

Not long ago I was scrolling through social media and found myself disheartened. Photo after photo slapped me awake with immodest images, crude language and innuendo. Worldly philosophies permeated the newsfeed. “Follow your heart.” “Never take no for an answer.” “The best thing we can do for our daughters to show them how to be happy.” The more I saw, and the more I’ve observed in the past year, the more I’ve begun to ask, “Where have all the good girls gone?” ‘ Standing up Read More

What is my 2020 Word of the Year?

Posted in: Blog, Walking with God | January 1, 2020

Each year I pick a word to meditate on…I know. The whole concept can seem a bit hokey, but for wordsmiths, this concept is an exhilarating gem. It’s a way for me to stay focused on God, and His character, throughout the ups and downs and crazy distractions that mark each year. Past words of the year have been bold, peace, presence…you get the idea. After much thought and prayer, 2020’s word of the year is follow. This word wasn’t chosen lightly. This past season has Read More

What We Can Learn from the MacArthur/Beth Moore Debacle

Posted in: Blog, Walking with God | October 22, 2019

Over this past week, a YouTube recording surfaced of John MacArthur sitting on a panel playing word association with other so-called Christian leaders. When Beth Moore’s name was thrown out, MacArthur replied, “Go home.” Other guests went on to call her a narcissist and the panel responded with a slew of reactions, both with reasons why they didn’t support her stance on Biblical issues, to down-right name-calling. The recording unleashed a fire storm on social media and MacArthur is facing a huge backlash. I’ve observed Read More

Am I Good Enough?

Posted in: Blog | October 17, 2019

I love everything about the creative process. From spinning a story world into existence, breathing characters to life or muddling through their spiritual and emotional transformations, I find the entire journey exhilarating. I even love the grueling grind of editing. (Most days, at least.) Even with the exhilarating side to creating, writing is a tough gig, especially when you consider you’re putting your deepest thoughts and musings out for everyone to see. It’s an open invitation for anyone to take a peek inside your most Read More

When Forgiving Seems Impossible: Part 3

Posted in: Blog | July 19, 2019

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and realize that the prisoner was you.” ~Lewis B. Smedes There are a lot of false ideas floating around about what forgiveness truly is. These distorted concepts and ideologies are so rampant that upon hearing phenomenal acts of forgiveness (like those of Rose Mapendo, Corrie Ten Boom, and others), people are quick to shake their heads. “I could never forgive that.” Let’s be clear: forgiveness is not saying what the offender did is okay. It is not Read More

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Latest Blog Posts

When Your Heart is Stamped “Condemned”: Part 2

  • What’s up with the Christian Cliches?
  • Cracked Pots
  • What I Learned in the Darkness
  • Shattering the Fairytale: When Perfect Isn’t Enough

Click to read more . . .

Reader Reviews:

Robin Lee Hatcher

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

“Tara Johnson delivers a stirring tale of danger and hope.” Read more “Robin Lee Hatcher”

RITA and Christy Award winner

Sarah Sundin

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

“Engraved on the Heart brings Savannah, Georgia, during the Civil War to life.” Read more “Sarah Sundin”

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Laura Frantz

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

“Johnson weaves a tale of selflessness, and service . . .” Read more “Laura Frantz”

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Jocelyn Green

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

“Lovers of Civil War fiction will rejoice to add Engraved on the Heart to their collections.” Read more “Jocelyn Green”

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Meet Tara

Tara JohnsonTara Johnson is a writer, singer, speaker and passionate lover of stories. Tara uses fiction, nonfiction, song and laughter to share her testimony of how God led her into freedom after spending years living shackled to the expectations of others. She lives in central Arkansas with her husband and children.

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