Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God
Author: S. Michael Wilcox
Publisher: Deseret Book
Published Date: August 2013
Hardcover/Kindle/DB Bookshelf: 128 pages
Genre: Religious Nonfiction
ISBN# 978-1-60907-520-0
Reviewed by: Shanda
FTC FYI: free hardcover review copy in exchange for an honest review
Summary
“And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exodus 33:11).
Is it possible to talk with God as Moses did—face to face? This is not only what we long for, but what God also ardently desires. For Moses that may have meant an actual physical encounter, but for most of us it is an expression that suggests friendship, open communication, honesty, and the conversations of familiarity. But how is that done? And how can we learn how God speaks to us individually? Bestselling author S. Michael Wilcox explores the scriptural expressions and concepts of “pouring out,” “wrestling,” being “filled with desire,” and “knocking” at the door Jesus promised would open to us— particularly in those times when we deeply need heaven to hear us and to confirm to our souls that more than our words are being received.
Review
In Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God, S. Michael Wilcox presents six different methods of communication with Heavenly Father through prayer that build faith, increase understanding of His love for us, and strengthen our bond with Him.
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, and found the book to be a quick yet impactful read. I was most affected by the concept of “pouring out” our hearts to God. I related to the examples given and my heart was touched.
The importance of constantly reaching to become closer to Heavenly Father, both for myself and my posterity, was driven home to me by this quote in the chapter about Jeroboam and the fate of the ten tribes:
“Sometimes when we fail to reach for ourselves, we fail for the thousands who will follow in the culture we create.” -page 84
I was reassured by the reminder that our God wants to bless us in every way He can, and that all things that come from Him are for our benefit, even if we don’t see it at the time. I gained a new understanding of the word desire as it refers to becoming one with our Father and Savior, rather than a request for something from Them.
When we consult with God in deep, quiet prayer about what we should desire, He will answer us. Through our reaching out to Him in these different forms of prayer and communication, we will become closer to Him than we can in any other way.
“The Spirit reaches down and draws water for us, or rain falls upon our souls and the flowers of faith, devotion, obedience, virtue, courage, adoration, gratitude–and especially love–spring up. God can walk with us in our garden, one that he himself is primarily responsible for having created. But we both are fulfilled, both satisfied with a mutual giving and receiving.” –page 121
I don’t hesitate to recommend Face to Face: Seeking a Personal Relationship with God to anyone who desires a closer relationship with Heavenly Father. I will be keeping it in a handy place on my bookshelf to revisit often.
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