Love Won Out: How God's Love Helped 2 People Leave Homosexuality and Find Each Other

Rating:
Summary: Busted!
Review: I just finished reading this book. A lot of the time, my brow was furrowed in surprise that there were still masculine and feminine behaviors, and that the putting on of make-up can be seen as some watershed event in one's life. It was fascinating in the sense that it was as though I was looking at another culture, another country, another world. For all of my bias when reading it (I'm reading it for a research project), I've been trying to make sure that I'm being as understanding as possible.

But there were a few aspects of the book that irked me. A reason why I feel untouched is the fact that no character seems to have the depth in the story like John and Anne Paulk, and even their depth is questionable. The fact that they are writing for Focus on the Family means that their memories have to have a decency filtration. I don't know about other Christians, but I swear to God when I pray. The emotion in me is sometimes enough to warrant a primal syllable or two, because God deserves nothing less than honesty. When such filtration is in a book like this, the rest of the text seems tainted.

But back to the other characters, the other characters felt as though they are there for solely a narrative purpose. For as long as John and Anne have been in Love in Action, we have such a poor characterization of the people they lived with for one year. It's as though the whole world around them is blurred except for the image portrayed by the narrators. It reminds me of Anne's final words: "When we're wrestling with this issue of homosexuality, all we can see is our struggle. All we see is our attraction to members of the same gender. We can't look beyond and see the struggles and difficulties other people are going through and relate to them in compassion. We don't have a bigger world. It's a tiny world. It's a self-centered world." Those words, sadly, capture the very nature of this book.

Rating:
Summary: THIS WAS Great :-)
Review: I loved this book to pieces.. I couldnt put it down. Replying to the other review stating that it was biased. It certainly was not! It just shared the couples struggles and how they overcame it.. This book doesnt show Bias.. It shows me that there is hope- You are not just "born gay" or there is no way out.. According to this book, I found out that there must be.. If they can do it.. There is a way out.

When reading the book, I felt like I was sitting on the couch listening to their story. It was very well written and kept me interested. I actually talked to John Paulk on the phone. (When you read the book, you find out he has a ministry) It was such an honor to talk to him and get some questions answered. I know that there is hope for people who want to get out of homosexuality.

Rating:
Summary: *THANK YOU*
Review: I wanted to order a second copy for a friend of mine and it was then that i decided to read some of the reviews. One of which sparked my interest involving john paulk's gay bar scandle. Perhaps if John lived right up the road from me, just an average gay man who decided to turn his life around and wanted to be healed of his sexual desires. Would there have been the same pressure from the world , from satan and the hold that he has on the weak. If it had not been for this book i would not have known how to deal with my sister coming out. This book taught me compassion, understanding, and most importly- WHY! In no way should this book be critiqued based on Ann and John's story, because it is just that- their story, and what a wonderful story it is. For thoses who are gay and are picking up this book with the intention to slam it or judge, i urge you to consider one thought. There are those who are living unhappy and most of all unhealthy lifestyles and tribute that to their sexuality. If you do not identify with that statement - This book is not for you. This book gives you hope.

Rating:
Summary: Changed Lives
Review: I was eager to read this book after reading "Not Afraid To Change" by John Paulk. While "Not Afraid..." takes the reader into a more deeper analysis, struggle and rebirth of one human being's struggle with homosexuality, "Love Won Out" parallels both the lives of John and Anne Paulk. I was moved by the book and gained more insights into Anne's struggle with lesbianism. However, there was an inner wish the book had focused exclusively on Anne's life rather than parallel John's. Many stories regarding John's life were repeated in this follow-up book from "Not Afraid To Change". While, Anne's life is powerfully shared - I wanted more. At times, I found my focus divided until the story line came back to Anne.

Many will find fault with this book and with the lives of the Paulks. However, no one can completely deny their testimony, their changed lives and the impact they have made on thousands. I have found many who debate heavily on this issue, never really met or heard the Paulk's testimonies. There is an old saying: "There are two sides to every story". If that is true, all of us must be open to hearing from both sides of the issues. The Paulks have a powerful story to share; many will not agree with it or call it plain nonsense. I, believe otherwise. I believe the Paulks are more than a 'fly-by-night' phenomenom. They can not be easily ignored. Agree with them or not, I believe love has won out in both of their lives.

Rating:
Summary: There's a chapter missing
Review: John & Anne Paulk performed an excellent public service by giving others their personal testimony of how the love of God freed them from homosexuality. This book gave me hope and opened my eyes to a world that's bigger than me. I read their book in one day because I could not put it down. They detailed their childhood from feeling alone & isolated after a family divorce to feeling defiled after being violated by a youth's ignorance & curiosity of human sexuality. On a scale of one to ten this book is an eleven.

No one tells the youth of this world that you do not have to live this way. The world tells them that as soon as you have these unusual sexual feelings that you have to act upon them and you have to live this way. The media can not bash this book because this is one man's & one woman's personal testimony and no one can tell you that you have not changed but you. Love Won Out is a book that will open the eyes the seeker, searcher, adament, & the obstinent. I loved it. God's love extends to every area of our lives & who would've known that he could love you out of such a wretched lifestyle?! Thank you John & Anne Paulk!

Rating:
Summary: How to live a lie
Review: One of my best friends spent almost 5 years trying to become straight and mentioned this book to me on a couple occasions. His church was also more than happy to offer support.

This Christmas he tried to kill himself. Lucky for all of us who love him, regardless of his sexuality, he survived. He is now in therapy and hopefully learning to balance his religeous beliefs and his sexuality.

If you are not straight and thinking about getting this book, PLEASE see a therapist first. It just might save your life.

Rating:
Summary: Homosexual Truth
Review: The book is rather compelling, but there's a long list of psychological factors behind the Paulk's homosexuality. Being gay myself, I can honestly say that this book was no help what-so-ever. I had a VERY normal childhood. And frankly, Duncanville, the town I grew up in, is not out to breed a bunch of homosexuals. I didn't even really know the meaning of that word until seventh grade. If anyone is a proof of genetics, I am.
In response to those who believe that they can change, well, if they want to try, they should go for it. I'll be the first to congratulate them if that's really God's destiny for them. But that doesn't mean that God means for EVERY homosexual to change. It's kind of like drinking. If it REALLY ends up hurting a person, like it did to John and Anne, well maybe there's a reason to change. But there are plenty of homosexuals living happy, healthy lives, and I believe that change isn't necessary for those individuals.

Rating:
Summary: There's a chapter missing
Review: This book is an easy read, full of quick answers and rash assumptions about what it means to be gay and attempts to answer questions that no published studies can confirm. I don't doubt that John and Anne felt they had changed when they wrote this book, but there really needs to be a chapter added that explains how John, as a newly-formed heterosexual male, found himself in a Washington D.C. GAY bar, pretending to be a gay man. If you're gay, see a therapist because you WILL come to be happy about who you are; it just takes time. Most certainly, this book will only add to your confusion. I've been down the ex-gay path and it took me to the edge of suicide...a good therapist helped me sort things out and I couldn't be happier now!

Rating:
Summary: Lesbians?
Review: When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought the couple pictured on it were LESBIANS!! Mr Paulk is the most effeminate creature I've ever seen!