Kindle

Format: Paperback; Verified Purchase

So far, I have read most of this book. Earlier in the book, it was a page turner. He gives some good insight into how sex addicts think and view things. There are definitely some good info to help if you are personally dealing with this in your marriage or as a counselor for married couples. Glad I purchased this. I must point out that it's not so much that the book has gotten boring, but I am reading several other books at the same time, including Steves wife's (Kathy) book.

Format: Paperback; Verified Purchase

I almost did not buy this book. The previous reviews made me think it would not be worth my money. I had been asked by the Lord to "go after the sexual revolution". I was not quite sure how all to do that, so I was searching for knowledge and wisdom. My pastor suggested that Steve Gallager would be the guy with the knowledge.

In retrospect, looking at the title and contents of the book, I realize that this was not so much about sexual addiction itself but about Steve's journey in dealing with this problem in himself and others. The first part of the book read like a novel. I did not want to put it down. Then his ministry began and the real meat of the book is introduced. Steve's spiritual journey is the real substance to this book. His maturation process was at the same time a thing of pain and of beauty. He does not spare us the details of how he struggled and how he betrayed the Lord on more than one occasion. He has truly learned the secret (and shared it with us) that man truly must yield to God if he wants to be an instrument in God's hands. Our human ambition and selfishness always rise up to prevent us from reaching the spiritual heights God wants us to attain. When we think we have it all figured out and start coasting spiritually and relying on our human wisdom and charm, we find that the power we had when we walked totally in the spirit has dissipated and we no longer have the power within ourselves to freely love God and mankind as we were commanded. I've had a glimpse of this paradoxical situation through my own journey, but this book hammered the concept home. Where this is no vision, the people perish. I have the vision, now I need to live it out. This book should be read by every pastor in the world. I can guarantee you, if a pastor's heart is truly open, his attitude toward his flock will never be the same after he reads about the struggle Steve reveals in his own heart dealing with spiritual pride. If you're in charge of a mens' group, this is a book that you should read and discuss as a group. If you are a Pharisee - like me - this book will either turn you off or allow you to see your blindness and get you on the road toward learning to love as Christ commanded. I'm starting down that trail right now and I realize there are lots of challenges and perils toward reaching the destination, but I can't help but think of Frodo Baggins and his quest with the ring. This journey to finding intimacy with God and God-like love for our fellows humans is the quest we were born for.

Donald James Parker

Author of Love Waits

Format: Paperback

In the introduction to his book "Out Of The Depths of Sexual Sin: The Story of My Life and Ministry" find out why author Steve Gallagher founded his Pure Life Ministries in 1986 in Sacramento. That organization began modestly enough and now is helping many good Christian people fight sex addiction. He states that his main purpose in writing his book "is to testify to the fact that God can transform the most wretched life into one of decency".

This book hits on a subject that this is often hidden or ignored in so subtle of ways. The author was L.A. Deputy Sheriff while living a personal life style that was morally corrupted according to him. He was involved in the world of strip clubs, street prostitutes and other behaviors that would be considered unwholesome. In his autobiography, he opens up about his past and shares some of his deepest and most humiliating failures including his life of drug use and crime. He does not paint a pleasant picture of himself but his intentions are to show that even someone like himself can be redeemed and changed and go then on to help rescue others suffering these same delusions and temptations.

This is for the mature reader only. The story is all about changing people and our culture. It is pointed out that 4.2 million websites are pornographic; so some of those people who are connecting with those websites might be someone you know and respect. According to the book, there is one scary and very startling statistic in that 20% of pastors admit to having had an affair while in the ministry. This is a problem and it is not going to go away by ignoring that it doesn't exist; so his book is trying to address this issue and reach out a helping hand to those in need of change. This book is not for everyone but if you need help with this concern or have someone you know who does then reading this book would be a good start to changing their lives.