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.
Last week I read about retired NASCAR driver Dick Trickle’s suicide. My parents dated by attending races at the Chemung Racetrack where then amateur Geoff Bodine was always put last in line to see how fast he’d get up front and win. Once married and with children our parents continued to watch NASCAR, much to…
It’s important that I be intentional in letting you know how I appreciate you. I don’t think thank you is enough, so throughout the year I create a promo where at least one of my books is free for Kindle. This holiday weekend I have TWO FREE KINDLE READS for you! From now through Sunday,…
I’m thankful for the twenty-five years we spent with our son, before he died by suicide. It took me a long, long time to really mean this above the pain and sorrow, and now I do! Happy birthday today to Joshua. He would have been thirty-nine. Bio: Jean Ann Williams is a member of American…
This month has been exhausting. But joyful! The last installment of the Russells trilogy launched this month, and it has been a long road—starting with the first book in the series, The Shenandoah Road, set during the Great Awakening of the 1740s. The events in A Fallen Sparrow take place during the American Revolution. What’s…
April 2026 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website Amish Romance: A Secret Amish Arrangement by Amy Grochowski — After stumbling upon Reuben Bender’s hidden library in the woods, Nan Burkholder strikes a deal with the reclusive Amish farmer. She’ll keep his sanctuary secret if he’ll…
It’s a short post today, lots going on and I have a feeling I’m losing a battle with a sinus infection. Blech. Anyway, I’m just reading a 7.4 earthquake has hit Japan prompting tsunami warnings. It is so easy to worry and second guess but I know, KNOW the God I serve has ways we…