You can’t simultaneously be who God created you to be and the person Satan molded you into. We are perfectly designed by God. He drafts our blueprint with distinct characteristics, traits, gifts, and talents and stamps it on our spirit before we areborn. Unfortunately, Satan often succeeds at concealing our true identity when we are young. He uses an array of influences such as our family, our culture, and even the Church to wound and scar us. This not only stifles God’s original design, but we end up engraved with Satan’s trademark. We don’t realize that we’ve been altered because much of Satan’s work is either subtle or completely invisible. The Refiner’s fire can expose the HIDDEN SECRETS of the heart! Do you think the past can’t be changed because the damage is done? Spiritual destruction can be undone because in Christ, you have redemption from all of Satan’s work, including the impact it has on your heart, the reactions it produces in you, and even his work that becomes a part of who you are. In this book you will witness how God’s truths destroy the lies of the enemy and heal the unseen wounds of the heart. You will discover in a radical way how God can break the spiritual bondage that holds you captive. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal where your blueprint has been distorted and allow Him to restore you back to God’s original design. Only then can you be who God created you to be and do what He created you to do. This is your true freedom in Christ!
This is a powerful account from Denise Buss regarding her journey from a less than perfect childhood to a decent into alcohol, promiscuity and drugs, to a relationship with Christ where she was desperate for emotional healing. She shares how spiritual warfare was so intense that she asked her sister to care for her adopted daughter for fear of her daughter’s safety. There was depression to the point that Denise considered ending her life.
Through those battles, Denise has a pastor friend that is wise in prayer strategies that gives her the tools to find healing and restoration in Christ. He is a major factor in the book and Denise credits him for being gracious with his time, prayers, and wisdom as he shared with her time and time again.
The writing is strong and her story is gripping. The book description lead me to believe I’d be reading a book that gives strategies in the theme of something you might read from Chuck Pierce or Dutch Sheets. Instead, Original Design reads more like a memoir. It’s still powerful, though.
One issue I have that I think deserves a mention in the book is I have received training in spiritual warfare/deliverance ministry and rule number one, especially if you have a history of promiscuity and insecurity, is to receive prayer from someone of the same sex. If you are with someone from the opposite sex, you bring someone from your gender with you. It’s wisdom and accountability and I’ve seen just as many accounts written from people who failed to do this, and it took the prayer times to a dangerous place. Denise makes it clear Ed is like a brother figure and not once do I ever see where he crosses a line. However, I think it warrants a warning concerning anyone considering adopting her approach.
She features information on salvation and Baptism of the Holy Spirit that are helpful. There is of course a lot of talk of demons and battling them through prayer.
If you enjoy stories that show the freedom Christ gives, especially through times of torment from the enemy, you will enjoy ORIGINAL DESIGN.
As I scratch my head in awe that 2014 is here and gone, I’m even more amazed at the ways God delivered on the words He gave me to focus and live for in the year. Because 2013 was abundance, it was awesome He gave two words for 2014. Chosen. Preposterous. I knew right away…
Excerpt from When Valleys Bloom Again Christmas 1941 “I have in past years spoken about the blessings of this season and how we may count on God’s grace for the coming year,” William said, addressing the staff assembled in the great hall five days before Christmas. “That’s still true, but it’s evident that this Christmas…
It’s my pleasure each Sunday to share my own nature picture and share a thought or two about God’s love for you. I couldn’t believe this sunset in the dead of winter. Brilliant. Warm. Blazing. Passionate. When I’m feeling: Cold Numb Frozen Guess what? God’s love blazes just as hot for us when we’re cold….
Each Saturday I’m posting a confession and inviting you to blog a confession of your own and link up. My goal is to build a community of people not afraid to share the truth, and grow from it. And as a reader, you’ll perhaps see something that sounds familiar to your own story. And realize…
Overview CAPTIVE, based on a miraculous true story that drew the attention of the entire nation, is a thrilling drama about the spiritual collision of two broken lives. When Brian Nichols – on the run as the subject of a city wide manhunt and desperate to make contact with his newborn son – takes recovering…
Thanksgiving All Over the World by April W Gardner No matter what part of the world they find themselves, every fourth Thursday in November, Americans everywhere stop what they’re doing and give thanks. Oh, and we stuff our faces with turkey and dressing, too. I’ve celebrated 2 Thanksgivings in Japan, 8 in Spain, 7 in…