Love for All Seasons

Eight Ways to Nurture Intimacy

By John Trent, Ph.D.
Moody Press, $18.99

ISBN 0-8024-9161-8

Also available in audio, ISBN 0-8024-4184-X2, $14.99

Pearls of Marital Wisdom
from One Wise Man

"Tucked away in the Old Testament is a treasure trove of wise counsel on godly relationships for those who'll search," says John Trent in his new Love for All Seasons. He identifies this trove as King Solomon's Song of Songs, and unearths from it eight gems of wisdom to use in our courtship or marriage and "make each new season of life as refreshing as spring."

High promises, aren't they? But Trent is a confident photographer as he gives us eight pictures of biblical love mixed with practical "how to's" and opportunities for couple and group discussion. His confidence and the content of the book are based on almost two decades of experience in teaching pre-marital classes. He is now President of Encouraging Words, a ministry dedicated to strengthening marriage and family relationships, and the well-know author and speaker on these topics.

Trent uses many contemporary examples--some about himself--that give this detailed study of the ancient book of wisdom vitality and relevance. He places before us the importance of a purified character, the practice of praise, the importance of really leaving home, building your life according to code, and planned spontaneity. From examining the "foxes" that can invade an intimate relationship to determining what leadership means ("Draw me, after you, and let us run together"), Trent gives wise and biblically based counsel on a great range of topics that couples may have problems with.

The Study Guide bound in the back of the book is "where the real work begins." Trent intends for readers to go beyond good intentions in their search for longlasting love, and gives several pages of questions for each of the book's 14 chapters. He concludes with a Couple Commitment Card for taking a Personal Enrichment Weekend and adds, in the spirit of the Song of Songs, directions for an optional "Intimacy Exercise." We are reminded that Solomon's wife called him to "go out into the country." Trent believes couples should get away twice a year to renew and enrich their relationship due to the break-neck pace of modern life that takes such a heavy toll on relationships.

Moody Press has also provided an audio tape of Trent's reading the book's content, which makes the content suitable for groups as well as couples to listen to together (listening time is 180 minutes). It could be a very intimate and spiritually rewarding experience. It might even save your marriage.

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