Love, Sex, And Lasting Relationships by Chip Ingram (2004, Paperback)

Love, Sex and lasting relationships is a book I recommend to any single or married person. singles will learn how to hold themselves in a manner that's logically conducive to meeting and building a life long relationship with a person of the opposite sex. Married people will learn how to conduct themselves in a manner that allows their present marriage to become richer and more fulfilling.

Chip Ingram breaks down the logic behind "Hollywood's" way of doing relationships VS. Gods way of doing relationships.

Hollywood's prescription For Lasting Relationships:

1. FIND the right person.
2. FALL in love.
3. FIX your hopes and dreams on this person for your future fulfillment.
4. If FAILURE occurs, repeat steps 1, 2, and 3.

Gods Description For doing Relationships:

1. BECOME the right person.
2. WALK in love.
3. FIX your hope on God and seek to please Him through this relationship.
4. If FAILURE occurs, repeat steps 1, 2, and 3.

Chip also explains the difference between love and infatuation, and walks you through a series of patient steps necessary for building a potently intimate and Godly relationship. Examples of these steps include:

1. Without commitment, converse with numerous "potentials".
2. Learn his or her goals, aspirations, dreams, etc. (don't advance until you hear a leading from God)
3. Validate the persons character through observation of consistency, how they behave around there family and friends, etc.
4. When you have validated this persons character and you feel drawn to them, Prey about it and ask God to move something on both of your hearts.
5. Don't rush. Communicate any advancements in your relationship. If you hold hands you communicate that this is what this means. When you kiss, communicate that this means this in the evolution of the relationship, etc.

Its easy to begin to feel like your expectations for deep and rich intimacy are far fetched, especially when most people learn how to "do" relationships from mainstream media. Your family, friends and/or piers may tell you that your desire for a soulmate with unwavering loyaty is a fairytale and wishing for such things will leave you lonely. They may say your efforts in being patient and strictness in choosing a mate are in vein. Many people who give us advice have good intentions and we should take that into account, as they are giving
the best advice they have. Don't cheat your self out of the rich an loyal intimacy that God has intended for you.

Chip explains how essential it is to be the right person first and what being the right person means. If your capable of being the right person, then your existence proves that there is a person of the opposite sex who is capable of being the right person for you.

This review is a small preview of the serendipitous message contained within this book. This is a must read for all of those hoping to have a life long marriage under the blessing of God.