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.
Did you know that there are 2,000 people who run and/or workout at all levels who want to do so and dedicate that run/race/workout to a “buddy,” a baby, child, teen, or adult that has a special need but are unable to because there is a lack of buddies? Did you know that these runners…
I’ve been blogging on serious topics so I thought I’d interject something a little lighter. It still has substance, so make sure you give it some thought and tell me what you came up with. Have you ever thought about your life having a theme song? What about a soundtrack? I have and I realized…
We are so excited to bring you Once Upon a Christmas. All of us had a lot of fun writing it as we delved into the fairy tales of Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid. How do five Christian authors go about writing a collection of fairy tales in a modern-day…
This week I’ve had fun interviewing the characters from my Adirondack romance, Entrusted. Today you have the opportunity to meet bad-boy Kyle Swarthmore. Kyle, did you grow up in Speculator Falls? What’s the connection? I visited every weekend during summers. My dad bought a summer home outside Speculator Falls. Do you call Speculator Falls home?…
Last year my sister purchased a cricut machine and through her I’m learning all the amazing thngs you can do with it. She joked that it was going to be a “Cricut Christmas” and as I look at my customized water bottle, I’ve been also thinking about possible shirts she could make for me. One…
Today is the last day I have Restoring Christmas, Match Made in Heaven, You’re Beautiful and You’re Amazing free for Kindle. I hope you’ve taken advantage of these Valentine freebies. If you enjoy them, please leave a review on Amazon/BookBub/Goodreads. Thank you! YOU’RE AMAZING: Beautiful things happen when a group of girls and their mentors…