Book Summary - Five Essentials for Lifelong Intimacy (James Dobson)

Essential 1. A Christ-centered home (1 Cor 3:11)
- persistent prayer
- intimacy with Jesus

Essential 2. A Lifelong commitment (Matt 19:6)
- persisting through the pain
- emotions: you can't trust them
- "I promise..."

Essential 3. A Deep & Abiding trust (1 Cor 13:6-7)
- building trust with words
- building trust with actions
- hedges around your home
- trust begins with God

Essential 4. A Willingness to communicate (Phil 2:4)
- marriage misconceptions
- restoring the information flow
- accept the unresolvables

Essential 5. An understanding of love (Songs of Sol 8:6)
- "My lover is mine and I am His"
- the thrill of the chase
- how to love a man
- the art of making love

Summary
- establishing a Christ-centered home
- cultivating committed love
- building trust together
- seeking to understand
- renewing your romance