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Tara Johnson

sharing stories through writing, speaking and singing

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boundaries

An Open Letter from a Recovering People-Pleaser

March 10, 2017 By Tara Johnson 2 Comments

I’ve had to learn some things the hard way. After years of exhaustion, of disappointment, of hiding behind my masks, of dark depression, I’ve learned that people pleasing may always be a battle for me. A daily battle. It’s a lie that I believed for far too long—mainly, that approval and love are the same thing. However, as God has peeled back layer after layer of my masks and choices, He has helped me understand that approval and love are not the same thing at Read More

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: acceptance, approval addiction, approval versus love, boundaries, God, Jesus, know my worth, learning to say no, living to please, people pleasing, spiritual abuse, unconditional love, Walking with God

Hot Air Balloons, Fence Lines and Lies: Why does God Have Rules?

September 25, 2016 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

Imagine a man slowly sailing through the clouds in a bright, striped hot air balloon. The air is cool, save for the spurt of fire keeping the balloon bellowed and full. As the current toys with his hair, he studies the tiny images below…rectangles of green and brown grass, houses and snaking highways. Everything seems so small, and from his vantage point, he feels so very big. His hand cups the canvas edges of the basket wall and he frowns. Everything is perfect except for Read More

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: boundaries, enemy's lies, God, God's restrictions, God's rules, God's ways, God's ways keep you safe, He's a good Father, Jesus, protection, satan's lies, spiritual warfare

An Open Letter from a Recovering People Pleaser

February 18, 2016 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

I’ve had to learn some things the hard way. After years of exhaustion, of disappointment, of hiding behind my masks, of dark depression, I’ve learned that people pleasing may always be a battle for me. A daily battle. It’s a lie that I believed for far too long—mainly, that approval and love are the same thing. However, as God has peeled back layer after layer of my masks and choices, He has helped me understand that approval and love are not the same thing at Read More

Filed Under: Walking with God Tagged With: approval addition, approval vs love, boundaries, learning to say no, manipulators, people pleasers, people pleasing, spiritual abuse, unconditional love, Worth

A Wounded Shepherd: When Pastors Suffer With Depression

September 23, 2015 By Tara Johnson Leave a Comment

It’s taboo. A major no-no. Pastors never deal with stuff like depression. They certainly are never suicidal…right? Um, no. Talk of depression among pastors is often pushed under the rug. Oftentimes, by the pastors themselves. Thom S. Rainer says, “Depression was once a topic reserved for ‘other people’. It certainly was not something those in vocational ministry experienced. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that ministers rarely admitted that they were depressed. After all, weren’t these servants of God supposed to have their acts Read More

Filed Under: Church Life Tagged With: boundaries, burn out, depressed pastors, depression, how to help your depressed pastor, when pastors suffer with depression

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Latest Blog Posts

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Reader Reviews:

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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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”

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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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