First of all, Taylor is just a nickname.        The “D” represents my biological father’s name (Dollinger). My adopted name is Lon “Abbott”.        I came to know what I consider the most important belief in life a person can ever come to accept… or not accept. The first four words of the greatest writings to ever grace this planet are “in the beginning GOD”… (Genesis 1:1). There is no argument here for God’s sovereign existence; it is an accepted reality of human existence. Maybe I’m an easy person to sell, but all I have to do is stand at the foot of an ocean and I’m convinced! I believe in God; even better, I believe God.        By the way, I accepted God on His terms; it’s the only way to be saved. I remember a Sunday school class, which was taught by a very caring and loving elderly lady. She would faithfully pick us up (when we agreed to come) and take us to church, back in Southern California. I was about eight years old at the time. I heard things like, “Do you feel yucky inside when you do bad things?” “Yeah!” was my heartfelt reply. This was the first time in my life I heard the word “Sin”.        I repented and accepted not only the free gift of milk and cookies that day, but the free gift of an eternal life, one lived out forever and ever with my newfound hero, “Jesus,” and His Father in heaven! However, my faith did waiver when life got tough. Sadly, I found myself, living life on my terms. For a while, I did whatever “I” pleased, because life had become really tough.My parents divorced, and my dad not allowed to see me (I was told he had a jealous new wife). Soon my adopted dad died suddenly, then we become basically homeless. We traveled around the west with a “new step-dad,” who turned out to be a very abusive alcoholic. Not long after these events occurred, I was told that my real dad had drowned and died!        Wow! How quickly things can go from reasonably stable home life to totally dysfunctional lifestyle. My existence was quickly  becoming an adventure, to say the least. Drinking and hollering, and occasional beatings, became the norm for my brother’s and me. About that time, my sister ran away from home. I subsequently grew up way too fast and was all on my own at 16. Tragically, I jumped into a relationship way too fast, had kids out of wedlock, drank beer, smoked a little dope (...and yes, I inhaled). God used my sinful lifestyle to cause me to reexamine my commitment to the Lord. It was kind of like God said, “Okay, would you like to “sincerely” try my way now?” I was spiritually bankrupt; I needed Jesus on the throne of my heart. My reign was finally over. I asked God to forgive me for my rebellion, and I thanked Him for not giving up on me.          He has always been faithful to me, even then, when I had been rebellious and disobedient.        The guitar was an interest I explored in high school (a little bit), but I became a lot more serious about it in my late twenties. I would place my fingers in awkward positions and sing little phrases. I thought I had invented a unique musical style. Somebody would later point out to me that “my secret chord” was a Gm7 (I thought, “Wait a minute, you can’t name my chord; I made that up!). It was kinda funny.        God, in recent years, tugged at my heart to record some of the many songs He had guided me to write. It was a big step; I was humbly awed, as His hand moved upon us, as we began to trust Him. Growing up the way I did, I have felt many times, “Why would God use me? I’m so rough around the edges, and not very well educated.” But I have since learned, God uses all of us who surrender to “His Glory”. Thankfully, He is not into “pedigree”. You see, when it comes to sin, we are all perfectly qualified and have earned the same degree of status (Romans 3: 23). We need Jesus; everybody, everywhere needs to trust Jesus!        Has God tugged at you’re heart? If you died, oh, say tonight… do you know for sure where you’d be forwarded to? I encourage, challenge, and even dare you; drop to your knees right now, confess your sin (you won’t have to think back far, trust me), and ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive your sin. He will (1 John 1:9). Simply and sincerely ask Jesus to become your Lord and Savior; He will (Romans 5:8-9). Believe that He died on the cross for you, and your sins, that He was crucified, buried, and rose again. Believe He took your place on that cross; He assumed the cost for your sins.        Then find a solid, Bible teaching church and tell that pastor you have trusted in Jesus, the Christ, as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask him to help you grow in your Christian faith, show you participate in worship, teach you about the cross, introduce you to a Bible study group, and show you how to love people the way Jesus loved people, serving God by serving others. God has a plan for your life. Do not be ashamed of Jesus and the personal decision you have made to believe in Him and trust Him (Romans 1:16); tell others how to trust in Jesus. Use your spiritual gifts and talents and get busy serving Him, by serving in His church and reaching the world with the good news, about Jesus! (Ephesians 4: 1-13). May God get a hold on your heart. God Bless You! Taylor D.