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Tara Johnson

sharing stories through writing, speaking and singing

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approval

Trolls on the Bridge: How to Keep Negative Feedback from Shredding Your Heart

May 15, 2017 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

I recently read this quote by Allen Arnold and it resonated deeply. “If God is pleased with your latest creation but the world ignores it, how do you feel? The answer reveals who you are creating for.” Excellent question. I fall into this trap far too often. I hope people like what I’ve written. This new blog was a step out of my comfort zone. Will people read it? Will they like it? This doesn’t even have to revolve around writing. This could be about Read More

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Walking with God, Writer's Life Tagged With: approval, criticism, critics, God, haters, how to handle hurtful comments, how to handle negative reviews, how to handle reviews, Jesus, love your enemies, negative feedback, people pleasing, trolls, Worth

Jesus Wasn’t Calling: How I Learned to Walk Away from Perfectionism and Self-Inflicted Martyrdom

February 21, 2017 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

Jesus wasn’t calling. Okay, maybe not. Obviously, Jesus is still in the calling business. Hang with me here and I’ll do my feeble best to try to explain my muddled thoughts. I have to admit it was quite a shock to realize all those years I spent doing and running, spinning my wheels and frantically trying to be a good, little Christian girl for Jesus weren’t for Him at all. They were for me. When the truth hit, it slapped me hard. I’ll never forget Read More

Filed Under: Church Life, satan's lies, Uncategorized, Walking with God Tagged With: approval, approval addiction, Christian walk, depression, idolatry, Jesus calling, knowing Jesus voice, motives, people pleasing, perfectionism, resentment, serving, unconditional love, wounds

Lie #5: Approval Means I’m Loved

September 5, 2016 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

We’re up to lie #5 in our series on exposing the enemy’s schemes…”Approval means I’m loved.” This lie was nearly my undoing. I desperately want people to like me. There. I said it. The thought of someone being displeased with me in any way drops a sick feeling in my gut. What’s one way to shake that cold feeling of dread? Work harder. Be more agreeable, more likable. Fit in. Be accepted and never, ever let them see the real you. After all, if they Read More

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: acceptance, approval, approval addiction, approval versus love, conditional love, exhaustion, idolatry, lies, Overwhelmed, people pleasers, people pleasing, satan's lies, spiritual warfare, unconditional love

The Impersonator

April 25, 2016 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

I opened the mailbox and rifled through the collection of papers waiting to be opened. Bills, bills, junk mail, bills…I stopped when one brightly colored advertisement caught my eye. Clutched in my fingers was the smiling face of Dolly Parton. I scanned the ad, admiring the bright, glossy sheen. Dolly Parton was coming to my hometown? Why hadn’t I heard about this? Miss Islands-in-the-Stream-I-Will-Always-Love-You was coming to my city next week? Why wasn’t this being blasted from every television and radio station in town? I’m Read More

Filed Under: people pleasing, Uncategorized, Walking with God Tagged With: approval, authentic, be you, Ephesians 2:10, God's masterpiece, impersonators, plastic people, pretend, purpose, your worth, your worth in God's eyes

Impressions

February 1, 2016 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

My kids love impressions. The crazier, the better. And being a singer, I always find it a hilarious exercise to see if I can manipulate my voice enough to oblige their whims. Today I spent all day conversing like the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. When bad manners were displayed at dinner, the Queen of Hearts yelled, “Off with your head!”, causing an eruption of giggles. In the past few months, I have spent much time as the Count from Sesame Street, Patrick Read More

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Walking with God Tagged With: approval, Freedom, God created you unique, hiding our wounds, impressions, people pleasing, perfectionism, pretending

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Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

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

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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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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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Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

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

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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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