Recovered Read online

  Table of Contents

  Foreword

  Chapter 1: Two Lives

  Chapter 2: Playing Parts

  Chapter 3: Just Like Magic

  Chapter 4: Biz Whiz

  Chapter 5: A Man Walks into a Bar . . .

  Chapter 6: An Absolute Wreck

  Chapter 7: Downhill Racing

  Chapter 8: Hitting Bottom

  Chapter 9: The Party’s Over

  Chapter 10: Coming Clean

  Chapter 11: Get Out of Town

  Chapter 12: Made New

  Chapter 13: Baby Steps

  Chapter 14: The Body Never Forgets

  Chapter 15: The Put-On

  Chapter 16: Here I Am, Send Somebody

  Chapter 17: Ignorance on Fire

  Chapter 18: He Speaks from the Whirlwind

  Chapter 19: Providence

  Chapter 20: New Home, New Family

  Afterword

  Notes for Recoverers

  Notes

  “Robby Gallaty shares about his powerful transformation through the work of Jesus Christ in his book Recovered. After struggling with years of addiction, Robby encountered the living Savior! He learned firsthand to seek God for his identity; to be disciplined in prayer and Bible study; and to surround himself with godly mentors and those who will hold him accountable. His story offers hope to those who are struggling with addiction and challenges those who have settled for mediocrity in their relationship with Jesus.“

  Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick Filmmakers, War Room and Overcomer

  “Recovered is a fascinating, page turning story of the path to—and freedom from—drug addiction. But there is so much more. It’s a book of hope and help, filled with practical insights in helping others follow Jesus Christ and grow in their knowledge of and obedience to Him—which is essential! Like Robby (whose teaching I have happily sat under), I have never gotten over the wonder of being saved. What you read will not only reignite your passion to introduce others to Jesus Christ and disciple them; it will show you how. This is a book I will heartily recommend to those whose loved ones are in the bondage of drug addiction and need to understand what’s going on with them and within them!”

  Kay Arthur Author, International Teacher, and Cofounder and Brand Ambassador of Precept Ministries: Engaging people in 185 countries in 83 languages in relationship with God through knowing His Word

  “You’ll really love this book. Robby’s story of meeting Jesus and being changed is a picture of what the love of God does for all of us.”

  Bob Goff New York Times bestselling author of Love Does and Everybody Always

  “This book reads like a novel. You can't help but feel that there are crazy things happening to a fictional character who you hope makes it. But what's striking is that it's real, a real story of a real person finding the power of real change. Bravo to Robby for the bravery it takes to share a story like this.”

  Jon Acuff New York Times bestselling author of Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

  “This is an amazing book! Pastor Robby Gallaty openly shares his story and his battle with his addictions. His journey is real and honest. When he finally was able to turn his life and will completely over to Christ, his life dramatically changed. God continues to use him to help many with their struggles. This book is a must read!”

  Pastor John Baker Founder of Celebrate Recovery

  “Robby’s story epitomizes God’s transformational grace! I can relate in so many ways. Robby’s been very inspiring to me and many others on what happens when our daily, intentional focus is to live in God’s will as opposed to our own. If you are battling, been affected, or know someone who’s dealing with the disease of addiction—then Recovered is a must read!”

  Jeff Jarrett Hall of Fame Wrestler

  “Recovered is a powerful read for anyone struggling with addiction and the desire to be free. As you turn the pages of this book, your shame will be lifted through Robby’s depth and honesty as he shows you how to enter freedom through the power of Christ.”

  Darryl Strawberry Four-time World Series champion and evangelist

  Copyright © 2019 by Robby Gallaty

  All rights reserved.

  Printed in the United States of America

  978-1-5359-0983-9

  Published by B&H Publishing Group

  Nashville, Tennessee

  Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Naples, FL 34113

  Dewey Decimal Classification: 616.86

  Subject Heading: DRUGS AND CRIME / DRUG ABUSE / REGENERATION (CHRISTIANITY)

  Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

  Also used: Holman Christian Standard Bible (hcsb), copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

  Also used: New King James Version (nkjv), copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Also used: English Standard Version (esv). ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

  Also used: New International Version (niv), copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

  Cover design by Faceout Studio; Jeff Miller. Cover silhouette by Cole Gorman/Bleststudios. Cover texture and light images: Meet Monpara/EyeEm/getty images; Vitaly Sosnovskiy/shutterstock; alexkar08/shutterstock. Author bio photo by Joanna McVey.

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  To my dad, mom, and sister.

  Thank you for never giving up on me.

  Acknowledgments

  I’m eternally grateful that Christ came looking for me, the chief of sinners, when I wasn’t looking for him on November 12, 2002. Everything that has happened since my conversion is a result of him working in me to work through me. One of the secrets to my Christian life is that I’ve never gotten over being saved. I still remember that at one time I was lost and now I have been found.

  I am grateful to God for my parents, Bob and Margaret, and sister, Lori, for sticking by my side. You demonstrated grace to me in a way that displayed the kindness of God. I wouldn’t be where I am today without your support and love.

  I’m thankful for godly mentors throughout my life: David Platt, Jim Shaddix, Tony Merida, Tim LaFleur, Don Wilton, Mark Dever, and Reggie Ogea. You have always been there for me whenever I needed direction, spiritual insights, or biblical advice.

  I am grateful for the team of guys God has assembled around me. I appreciate Tim LaFleur, Gus Hernandez, Collin Wood, Jeff Borton, Greg Wilton, Chris Swain, and Dylan Young for reading through the manuscript to strengthen the book. I could not have written this book without your encouragement. It truly is a joy to serve together in ministry.

  I am grateful for the three churches I’ve had the privilege of pastoring: Immanuel Baptist, Brainerd Baptist, and Long Hollow Baptist. You have spurred me on to be a better pastor and disciple of Christ. You have taken the challenge to “go make disciples” seriously. For that, I am thankful.

  Finally, I could not have written this book without the support of my wife Kandi and our two boys, Rig and Ryder. You have lived the pages of this book with me. I can’t wait to write more in the future together.

 
; Foreword

  by David Platt

  What do you do when a six-foot-six, 290-pound thieving drug-dealing addict, trained to fight, is standing next to you on a Sunday morning in a church gathering? My thought is that you become that guy’s friend as soon as possible!

  I have never forgotten the day I met Robby Gallaty. I haven’t forgotten the privilege of baptizing him, not only because of what a special day it was, but also because this six-foot-six 290-pound man slipped on his way down into the baptistry and fell straight toward me, causing water to splash over onto the choir like a wave pool out of control. I haven’t forgotten weekly lunches at Mr. Wang’s Chinese food where we would talk about God’s Word. I haven’t forgotten early mornings together on our knees, crying out to God in prayerful desperation. And I haven’t forgotten countless memories serving Christ alongside him in the US and around the world.

  Yet amidst all that, I haven’t forgotten about Robby. I have never gotten over how God saved him. His story, which he shares in this book, is a story of God’s grace in action, God’s patience in practice, and God’s glory on display. After reading it, I am compelled to pray for two particular groups of people.

  One, I pray for countless other Robby Gallatys in the world. Men and women who struggle with addiction in various ways. Men and women who might think they are too far removed from God to ever return. Men and women who try and try and try to overcome the temptations of this world, but they can’t seem to find victory. Robby’s story is a reminder to every single person that victory is possible. But that victory only comes through a personal relationship with God through trust in Jesus. I pray that you will read this book if you struggle with addiction, if you feel like you’re far from God, or if you feel like you just can’t conquer the trials and temptations before you. I pray that you will read it and realize that God loves you so much that he will change your life for you. I pray that you will discover that new life can begin right now for you through trust in Jesus, the only One who has conquered every trial and temptation, and ultimately sin and death.

  Second, I pray for countless men and women, family members and friends, pastors and church members, who have Robby Gallatys around them. I pray that our eyes will be open to see them, and that our hearts will be open to love them. To pray for them and with them. To walk alongside them with patience and compassion, pointing them continually to God’s Word as the way to true life. To live for God’s glory in others’ lives by pouring God’s grace into their lives.

  In the end, I think that’s the main theme of this book: grace. But not just grace in Robby’s life. As I read this book, I was overwhelmed by God’s grace in my life. Sure, my story is a lot different from Robby’s in many ways; but at the core, it’s essentially the same. I was a sinner running from God, just like Robby. And God came running after me, just like Robby. And the good news is—God runs after people like you, too. So I pray that regardless of who you are or what you’ve done, you would know: new life is available to you now and forever by the grace of Almighty God. So I am compelled to pray that you will know this grace and show this grace, soak in it in your life and spread it all across the world, so that more and more and more stories like this one might be written to the glory of the one true God.

  Chapter 1

  Two Lives

  Saturday night. Bourbon Street. Dinner at Galatoire’s.

  If you’ve ever hung out in the legendary French Quarter of New Orleans, you may have heard of our favorite restaurant. The best French-Cajun cooking in the city.

  It’s February 2001. I’m enjoying my usual: lamb chops with peas, potatoes, and onions. That’s my favorite. I eat everything but the green-rimmed pattern on the plate. Mom, Dad, and Lori are talking about the movie we’re about to see. Seeing as many movies as we have, you tend to become an amateur critic.

  Dinner and a movie has been our family’s go-to weekend outing since I was a kid—I’m now twenty-four. We rotate between Galatoire’s downtown, or maybe Tony Angelo’s, if we’re in the mood for Italian. Or Ralph & Kacoo’s for traditional Cajun seafood. Seafood (any style) is always okay with me—breakfast, lunch, or dinner. My favorite is crawfish and crab omelets. But if Dad gets to choose, it’s going to be Galatoire’s, because they make him feel like a million bucks.

  My dad is a solid working-class guy. He runs a body shop nearby in Chalmette. He fixes up cars, puts in long hours, and enjoys being pampered by waiters who know his name. He’s never been into hunting or fishing, and he doesn’t play golf. His hobbies are family, blockbuster movies, and a fantastic meal.

  We’re about to see Cast Away with Tom Hanks. Everyone’s excited, except Mom. As usual, she’s not all that excited. The dinner/movie thing isn’t really her scene, but she’s here for Dad.

  My mom grew up with a tough family situation, and she’s content just to stay home, cook in her own kitchen, and have her husband and two children near her.

  Dad’s on his second and probably final margarita of the evening—a drink with dinner is ingrained in New Orleans culture, but he never overdoes it. No way Mom would allow that. Dad is grinning over my anticipation. “They say Tom Hanks’s costar is a volleyball? Really?” I’m asking.

  Lori says, “That’s what my friend says. She cried when he lost the volleyball.” That draws a snort from Dad. He’s laughing, covering his mouth to keep from spitting out his salad right there on the table.

  “I saw that!” I say. “One point.”

  Over the years, mostly when I was in high school, we’ve had a little family game: Wait until your opponents are chewing, then make them laugh. You get one point if any food had to be spit out, two points for any liquid out the nose. Lori is giggling. Mom is rolling her eyes.

  “Please,” Mom says. “You’re a grown man, Robby. And I still can’t take you anywhere.”

  That makes it even harder for Dad, whose face is turning red now as he tries to swallow that bite. Nothing makes you laugh like being told not to laugh. That’s why you should never take too big a bite around my family.

  By the way, if he chokes, theoretically, that’s three points. As yet, nobody has ever choked. Just saying.

  “So what do you plan to do with your life, Robby?” asks my mother, attempting to corral the scene into some semblance of adult conversation. “Will you try to take the test again?”

  “I don’t think so, Mom. I’m really kind of into—”

  “Not bartending again, I hope. You can’t make a career out of that.”

  “Sure I can, Mom.”

  At this point, I’m into the Rave party scene. I’ve tried a shot as a techno DJ and loved every second. When I’m into something, it’s ninety to nothing. If the water looks good, I don’t dip a toe. I dive in headfirst. At this point in my life—at pretty much every point in my life—I crave stimulation, and the crazy sensory overload of nightclubs gives me that. I’m the center of attention.

  As for the test, well, a few months back I began a training course to become a stockbroker, urged on by my parents. I never was convinced this was my thing, but by all accounts I showed a lot of promise. I wore a coat and tie, came in every day, and had a slick trainer. I was preparing for what they call a Series 7 test. Supposedly nobody has ever failed a Series 7 after this particular trainer prepped them.

  Mom and Dad were pretty pumped. The day of the test, they moved me into a shotgun double apartment, complete with a full set of furniture they bought for me and brought in. My parents are the best. They had a cake, congratulations banners, and were bursting with pride for their wonderful new stockbroker of a son—who had to come in and break it to them he’d failed that test.

  I got a 68 out of 100, two points short of passing. Of course, Mom and Dad were crushed, but they still had high hopes—I had to grow up sometime, right? For them, that means a coat-and-tie fast-track job when the sun is out, instead of working in loud clubs until three in the mo
rning.

  My parents have specific hopes for me, but they’d do anything for us, for Lori and me. And we’d do anything for them.

  The problem is, I’ve blown the test, and I don’t plan to tell them why. I had it nailed until that last section, and then, well, I blew it. Crashed in flames. What happened there? The guys giving the test just couldn’t figure it out. I knew, but nobody else was going to.

  Mom and Dad pick up the bill at Galatoire’s, as usual. That’s another thing about these family nights—it’s always on Mom and Dad. As a teenager, I actually brought dates on these evenings with my parents, because it meant a movie, terrific food, and unsurpassed entertainment watching my family interact. My dates always adored my parents—everybody did.

  We drive home together, to the home where I grew up, and then I say good night. Hugs all around. “I love you, Mom. Love you, Dad. You too, Lori.” I watch them in the rearview mirror as I drive away, and I realize I’m shifting into my alternate mode—there’s Family Robby, and then there’s Street Robby.

  It’s now 10:00 p.m. I park about a block from my favorite hot spot, the Metropolitan, my club of choice. I make sure my stash is firmly in my right pocket. The left is for money. Before I climb out of the car, I crush and snort a couple OxyContin 40s. By the time I wipe the evidence clean from the case, the buzz kicks in. I’m ready for the night to begin.

  This, of course, is what ruined the final portion of my stockbroker test. But for Street Robby, it’s a way of life.

  I walk into the club with pounding subwoofers greeting my ears. Strobe lights flash quick images of familiar faces as I walk across the room.

  “What’s up, Robby?”

  “Hey man!”

  “You’re lookin’ good, brother!”

  The regulars all know me. Fist-bumps and handshakes are extended as I make my way toward the bar. I’m fully aware this is a shadow family, the flip side of my real one. Unlike my true and permanent family, the faces here come and go; relationships don’t go very deep. But it’s still my world.