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I am Not The King: A Personal Testimony of Growth in Jesus Christ
I Am Not the King is an intense spiritual memoir told in crisp, fresh language, a story full of dark moments that lead to a greater Light.
Through family dysfunction, a verbally abusive father, and religious legalism, the author enters adulthood angry, bitter, and confused. He oscillates between his self-imposed literary hermitage and bisexual escapades until an atheist college professor challenges him to think more deeply about the meaning of life. After a life-changing "upper room" experience, he spends the next twenty-eight years wrestling with God. I Am Not the King takes the reader on a wild journey involving broken relationships, workplace challenges, disappointments with other Christians, struggles with sin and temptation, and fear and doubt.
Allen Taylor shares with transparency and uncanny openness how he discovers he is not the king of his life. His story shows how anger and resentment turn to joy and peace in the arms of the real King.
More than a memoir, I Am Not the King includes discussion questions for group leaders after each chapter.
Through family dysfunction, a verbally abusive father, and religious legalism, the author enters adulthood angry, bitter, and confused. He oscillates between his self-imposed literary hermitage and bisexual escapades until an atheist college professor challenges him to think more deeply about the meaning of life. After a life-changing "upper room" experience, he spends the next twenty-eight years wrestling with God. I Am Not the King takes the reader on a wild journey involving broken relationships, workplace challenges, disappointments with other Christians, struggles with sin and temptation, and fear and doubt.
Allen Taylor shares with transparency and uncanny openness how he discovers he is not the king of his life. His story shows how anger and resentment turn to joy and peace in the arms of the real King.
More than a memoir, I Am Not the King includes discussion questions for group leaders after each chapter.
- GenresNonfiction
82 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2021
About the author
Allen Taylor
33 books24 followersAllen Taylor is the publisher Crux Publications and Garden Gnome Publications, editor of the Biblical Legends Anthology Series, and the author of several e-books. He writes poetry and fiction, works as a freelance writer, and is an award-winning journalist.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 26, 2021
I first discovered Allen when I was searching for writing prompts and came across Garden Gnome Pubs. Do check it out if you get the chance...
So, when he asked if I'd be willing to read his book and leave my honest review, I was glad to be of help. But you're wondering about this book - if it's worth reading.
Yes, it is well worth reading.
Allen candidly shares a lot of detailed memories that no doubt brought past sorrows and regrets to the surface as he wrote them. I don't see how it could have done anything else.
However, because he surrendered his will to the King, I know that his testimony will touch the lives of all who read it.
Sadly, many stories, much like what Allen shared about his youth, are even now being played out in the lives of so many young people as our culture appears to be "devolving" into chaos...but God is still on His throne and Allen's testimony attests to the saving power of Grace that our Father so splendidly lavishes on us, His children.
If nothing else, this story should remind us to give Grace to others in our lives not only because of the Grace that our Savior gives to us, but because you never know what someone is going through. What you say to them, and the fact that you care to even notice them could mean the world to someone you come across as you live your life.
It's this that will linger with me. To give Grace to others, even the unlovely, because you don't know what God is doing in the life of that person and who doesn't want to share in the Master's work?
BTW - I wanted to leave a review on Amazon, Allen, but the "review nazis" wouldn't let me because I hadn't spent $50+ bucks on their site. Ugh.
So, when he asked if I'd be willing to read his book and leave my honest review, I was glad to be of help. But you're wondering about this book - if it's worth reading.
Yes, it is well worth reading.
Allen candidly shares a lot of detailed memories that no doubt brought past sorrows and regrets to the surface as he wrote them. I don't see how it could have done anything else.
However, because he surrendered his will to the King, I know that his testimony will touch the lives of all who read it.
Sadly, many stories, much like what Allen shared about his youth, are even now being played out in the lives of so many young people as our culture appears to be "devolving" into chaos...but God is still on His throne and Allen's testimony attests to the saving power of Grace that our Father so splendidly lavishes on us, His children.
If nothing else, this story should remind us to give Grace to others in our lives not only because of the Grace that our Savior gives to us, but because you never know what someone is going through. What you say to them, and the fact that you care to even notice them could mean the world to someone you come across as you live your life.
It's this that will linger with me. To give Grace to others, even the unlovely, because you don't know what God is doing in the life of that person and who doesn't want to share in the Master's work?
BTW - I wanted to leave a review on Amazon, Allen, but the "review nazis" wouldn't let me because I hadn't spent $50+ bucks on their site. Ugh.
October 24, 2021
For anyone struggling with the voice of a parent who has done them wrong, this book serves as a reminder of the value of Forgiveness.
August 9, 2020
I enjoy reading the testimonies of everyday Christians. In I am Not the King, author Allen Taylor shares his personal walk of faith, from his early childhood up to the present. This story is beautifully and conversationally written. Not a memoir, the book describes the trials and tests of faith the author endured as he matured physically and spiritually.
Throughout the book, Allen Taylor shares aspects of his life that are sometimes emotionally charged and cause the reader to pause and contemplate concerning their own circumstances. The struggles within his family growing up, and then later in life, his extended family, serve as anchor points in his testimony. I enjoyed the author’s sharing of how faith worked to suppress worldly temptations in his personal and business environments.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Throughout the book, Allen Taylor shares aspects of his life that are sometimes emotionally charged and cause the reader to pause and contemplate concerning their own circumstances. The struggles within his family growing up, and then later in life, his extended family, serve as anchor points in his testimony. I enjoyed the author’s sharing of how faith worked to suppress worldly temptations in his personal and business environments.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
October 29, 2021
I’m not even the [Queen] of my own life
This was a very thought provoking read. I loved how the author posed questions at the end of each section to allow for some reflection on how the material relates to me. I loved the part where he said “I am not the king of my own life.” It’s true. We are at the mercy of God for all we have in this life, but he allows us to choose Him above all else and it is a gift beyond compare.
This was a very thought provoking read. I loved how the author posed questions at the end of each section to allow for some reflection on how the material relates to me. I loved the part where he said “I am not the king of my own life.” It’s true. We are at the mercy of God for all we have in this life, but he allows us to choose Him above all else and it is a gift beyond compare.
October 30, 2021
I applaud any person who picks up a pen and takes the time to write and publish a book. Unless you have done it, you don't realize how much of a challenge it is. And I applaud Allen Taylor for taking the time to write his personal testimony of growth and change.
Allen Taylor is a published poet, fiction writer, newspaper editor, journalist and publisher. Given Taylor's credentials, I was expecting more. Writers are taught to show, not tell. Unfortunately in this memoir, Taylor tells us about his life, but does not show us what he experienced. He talks about his sinful ways but does not allow us to feel what he feels.
Taylor hated his father most of his life, but I cannot say that I understand why. He tells us about the hate but we never see it expressed. He struggles with his relationship with the church, constantly seeking a new and better congregation. He never seems able to find a spiritual home, but we never hear why. Why does he not like the churches? How are his beliefs different? What is he seeking that he can't find? Taylor also appears to struggle with intimacy and sexuality, but we never are given a clear reason.
When I finished reading the book, I was left wanting more details, more information, more clarity of thinking. I did not learn who Allen Taylor is, nor how God transformed his life.
Allen Taylor is a published poet, fiction writer, newspaper editor, journalist and publisher. Given Taylor's credentials, I was expecting more. Writers are taught to show, not tell. Unfortunately in this memoir, Taylor tells us about his life, but does not show us what he experienced. He talks about his sinful ways but does not allow us to feel what he feels.
Taylor hated his father most of his life, but I cannot say that I understand why. He tells us about the hate but we never see it expressed. He struggles with his relationship with the church, constantly seeking a new and better congregation. He never seems able to find a spiritual home, but we never hear why. Why does he not like the churches? How are his beliefs different? What is he seeking that he can't find? Taylor also appears to struggle with intimacy and sexuality, but we never are given a clear reason.
When I finished reading the book, I was left wanting more details, more information, more clarity of thinking. I did not learn who Allen Taylor is, nor how God transformed his life.
October 27, 2021
What an outstanding book. Allen's testimony shows you are never too far gone for Christ and never alone. I so appreciated the way he let us into his world without holding anything back—the pain, the secrets, the loneliness, everything. I found I couldn't stop reading and just read until the very end. I loved how, time and again, he tried to solve problems on his own or by burying himself deeper and deeper in escapism, but God kept after him, rooting him out and into the True Light. I highly recommend this book! Beautiful, inspiring and REAL.
August 30, 2025
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Allen on a few occasions.
I could relate to many of the same obstacles, Allen faced in his life, as a young man. I thought in some of the instances he was very naïve and could have handled some of the situations he faced in a different manner. I do appreciate the honesty that comes across in the book.
I could relate to many of the same obstacles, Allen faced in his life, as a young man. I thought in some of the instances he was very naïve and could have handled some of the situations he faced in a different manner. I do appreciate the honesty that comes across in the book.
August 17, 2020
This is an excellent read, regardless which religion you belong to.
Very understandable with perfect explanations and descriptions.
It is a must-read and should be a bestseller!
Very understandable with perfect explanations and descriptions.
It is a must-read and should be a bestseller!
October 31, 2021
This is an absolutely wonderful book!
The sometimes simple and straightforward, yet, at the same time intriguing, witty and descriptive style of writing, makes for a wonderful read!
It goes deep into the very questions of life and its meaning, while doing so with a very playful and easy tone! This makes the book very easy to read, while it brings to attention, some of the most difficult subjects of contemplation in life!
The questions after each chapter help bring the mind to a deeper understanding of the contemplations of the subjects brought forth, as one might not always stop to think while reading.
But through them, we stop to think, and allow ourselves a moment to do so, gaining a better insight into our thoughts of what we have read!
I would highly recommend this book to everyone, both as a personal read, and in study groups of all kinds! To the Christian, agnostic, atheist or man of another faith, I believe this book has something to offer to all who read it!
The sometimes simple and straightforward, yet, at the same time intriguing, witty and descriptive style of writing, makes for a wonderful read!
It goes deep into the very questions of life and its meaning, while doing so with a very playful and easy tone! This makes the book very easy to read, while it brings to attention, some of the most difficult subjects of contemplation in life!
The questions after each chapter help bring the mind to a deeper understanding of the contemplations of the subjects brought forth, as one might not always stop to think while reading.
But through them, we stop to think, and allow ourselves a moment to do so, gaining a better insight into our thoughts of what we have read!
I would highly recommend this book to everyone, both as a personal read, and in study groups of all kinds! To the Christian, agnostic, atheist or man of another faith, I believe this book has something to offer to all who read it!
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May 11, 2025Thank you for sharing your personal testimony and story.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews