I texted a good friend about the book and described it as follows: “raw, honest, real-to-life”
I think that that summarizes the dialogue that Michael John Cusick offers his readers in SURFING FOR GOD. He writes much like I would imagine he operates while he is counseling people in his office — he is honest and Gospel-rooted. He doesn’t talk fluff and knows that the best way to deal with a situation is to talk about it and talk about it as it corresponds to the work of Christ. He regularly weaves together his personal experiences and insights with Scripture’s take on life in the midst of addictions — specifically porn.
This is a book about addiction to porn. This is a little raw and many reviewers have issues with how open he is about the thought process of people dealing with such an addiction, but he really lays it all out there and I think that this book should be included in the discussion of someone working through an addiction to sex.
At the forefront, he admits that sex within Godly boundaries is good and calls men to mature and take responsibility for their actions — in order to move forward and be the “heroes” that they are created to be.
Here’s what the back cover reads:
In a world where there are 68 million searches for pornography every day and where 70 percent of Christian men report viewing porn in the last year, it’s no surprise that more and more men struggle with an addiction to this false fantasy. Common wisdom says if they just had more willpower and more faith, their fight would be over. Is the answer really that simple?
According to counselor and ministry leader Michael John Cusick, the answer is no—but the truth may be much more freeing. Backed by Scripture, Cusick uses examples from his own life and from his twenty years of counseling experience to show us how the pursuit of empty pleasure is really a search for our heart’s deepest desire—and the real key to resistance is discovering and embracing the joy we truly want.
Cusick’s insights help readers understand how porn struggles begin, what to do to prevent them, and most importantly, how to overcome the compulsion once it begins. In the end, this powerful book shows us all how the barrier built by porn addiction can become a bridge to abundant life.
Click here to purchase the book.
- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 5, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0849947235
- ISBN-13: 978-0849947230
“This is a dangerous and beautiful book, filled with courage, filled with hope. This book will set you free. The process Michael describes here works—I’ve seen it happen with many men. That’s why you should read this book. Then give it to every man you know.” —John Eldredge, Author of Wild at Heart and Beautiful Outlaw
“All of us have addictions—some to success and approval, others to pornography and other vices. Surfing for God is a truly helpful resource for those struggling with painful and destructive addictions to pornography and sexual sin. The forthrightness of the author—one who is on his own healing journey—will be a blessing and a guide for all who struggle to take the journey from this particular bondage to the freedom that comes in embracing that which is life indeed.”
—Ruth Haley Barton, Founder, Transforming Center
Author of Invitation to Solitude and Silence and Sacred Rhythms —This text refers to the MP3 CD edition.
*This book was free with my promise to post an unbiased review.
