Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part One: In The Beginning

1 The Garden

2 The Gamble

3 The Gap

Part Two: Hiding

4 I Was Born This Way

5 The Disconnect

6 Love Hurts

7 How Do I Get Out?

Part Three: Exploring

8 Make It Personal

9 What a Difference a Day Makes

10 Resistance and Roadblocks

11 The Reward of Risk

Part Four: Trusting

12 In Battle

13 No Way Out

14 Through the Wilderness

15 On the Mountain

Part Five: Deepening

16 Living Intentionally

17 The Big Questions

18 Glory

19 The Clue Is in the Cleft

Part Six: For All Eternity

20 The Cloud

21 The Next Generation

22 The Bride

Author’s Note

Notes

Why did you decide to write Face to Face?

It was about ten years ago that the Lord clearly spoke to me while I was doing my morning devotions. He led me to the phrase ‘Moses hid his face’ and then the phrase ‘Moses spoke with God face to face’ and I sensed the Spirit encouraging me to explore what happened between those two encounters. I was amazed at what I learnt and I knew then that I wanted to write a book to help others move from a place of hiding to a moment of encounter.

It took me years to learn what intimacy with God looked like (and I am still learning!), so it was only this past year that I felt the Lord ‘release’ me to write about our journey, transposed with Moses’ journey, to help others go deeper in their own journeys.

In your book you include personal testimony of how your own intimacy with God has grown. What was the most important lesson you have learnt in developing this relationship with him?

I am still learning this one: God is love. I don’t need to fear approaching him as my fear will always be met by perfect (safe) love. For that reason, hiding is never necessary (or productive) in my relationship with God. Also, Adam and Eve were ‘naked and unashamed’ with Him . . . and we can be as well.

Who have you written this book for?

• Anyone who desires to go deeper in their relationship with God, knowing Him more intimately as Father/Son and Holy Spirit.

• Those who have struggled to pursue ‘intimacy’ due to past hurts or abuse which have skewed their understanding of intimacy and consequently put up ‘walls’ between them and God.

• Finally, for the Bride of Christ (the Church) as she prepares herself to be ready for her King.

Do you view your writing as a therapeutic practice?

No, I wouldn’t say that. I am not trying to ‘work things out’ as I write, but I do feel that sharing my own journey helps release others to explore their own journeys.

I find that when I am speaking at meetings, the Lord uses my experiences to open up the atmosphere for others to hear what the Lord is speaking to them. It gives permission for them to put down some walls and open their hearts to explore prophetically what the Lord might be saying, and I feel this book also does that in a profound way.

What feedback have you received about this book? Have people mentioned anything in particular that they like about this title?

I’ve been amazed at the overwhelmingly positive feedback I’ve received! One of the phrases I have heard repeatedly is the ‘wisdom’ that is in the book. Also, the profound understanding of an intimate relationship with the Lord and what that can look like, making it practical and possible for any Christian to experience.

Many people, even non-Christians, have said the title has spoken to them and has made them intrigued to read the book. They love the idea of exploring a ‘face to face’ relationship with God – it is simultaneously challenging and captivating.

What is the most memorable part of your faith journey?

Wow, I’m not sure I can give one? That is like asking a couple who has been married 30 years the most memorable moment of their marriage!

But, I can say this – the most intimate moments have surely been in my darkest seasons. Like with Moses, when I felt the most abandoned by life was the moment I experienced the greatest pursuit by God.

What was the most challenging element of writing Face to Face? In these difficult moments, how were you supported by your faith?

I have written seven books, and this was by far the most difficult to write; I definitely felt there was much contention from the enemy against me writing it.

Also, the book evolved as I wrote it, bringing in the Garden of Eden and the Bride of Christ to a level which I didn’t initially intend to focus on.

Finally, intimacy is such a personal subject that to encapsulate what cannot be fully expressed or understood by another was a challenge. I wanted the reader to feel part of the journey, even though they were an observer, with the intention their own intimacy would be taken to new heights as they read about Moses and then saw it practically worked out in my story.

My faith played a huge part in the writing as I prayed constantly in order to remain in peace and not get anxious when I felt that I hit a wall. I also had my Prayer Team praying and I tried my best to follow God’s leading, not my own agenda, which helped to finally birth what I hope is a book inspired by heaven.

What do you hope readers will most get out of reading this book?

My prayer is that intimacy will be sparked, grown, developed or rekindled and that any hindrances to an unbridled love relationship with their Creator would be removed.

I want both men and women to desire God the Father/Son/Holy Spirit at a level deeper than ever before – getting a taste of what Adam and Eve could have possibly experienced in the Garden of Eden at the beginning of time.

Lastly, I want to challenge us all to move beyond what is comfortable to what is conceivable when it comes to being part of the Bride of Christ and what that will look like for all of eternity.

In one sentence, how would you describe Face to Face?

A clarion call for the body of Christ to move out of hiding and into holiness, by exploring intimacy with our creator here and now – preparing individually for our eternal future as part of the Bride of Christ.

Jen Baker has a passion to see the kingdom of God lived out through ordinary people in an extraordinary way.

Most often described as ‘inspiring’ Jen loves to breathe life and hope wherever she goes, seeing a faith atmosphere open blind eyes and restore broken dreams.

With a heart for the nations, as well as the one, Jen has been in ministry over 20 years preaching in several countries and authoring six books. She was heavily involved in anti-trafficking work for many years and has a huge heart for the orphan.

She is an AmeriBrit, a bit of a coffee snob (more than a bit) and a lover of Jesus who likes to keep fit...while enjoying chocolate and ice cream.

As a single adult, Jen relates easily with the one who feels life has turned out slightly differently than planned. She may get a dog one day, but it must be small enough to fit into a handbag.

Jen lives in Bath, England and is actively involved at Bath City Church.