By Design

Personality Profiles & Relational Grace

(This version of By Design is published in color)

BY DESIGN Personality Profiles and Relational Grace explores the awesome wonder of being fearfully and wonderfully made by our loving Creator. We trace the implications of our unique blueprints to understand and love others well. In our study, we consider the effect of the Fall upon each design and explore its impact on our relationship with God and with each other. We identify the source of our deepest needs and rejoice in God’s provision. We live by His grace and in victory as difficult people and with difficult people. Finally, we see and celebrate a redeemed design that overflows with fruitfulness and reveals the truth about God.  

By Design

A Search to Understand & Love You Better

(This version of By Design is not printed in color, although it contains the same information as Personality Profiles & Relational Grace at a lesser price)

EXPLORE the awesome wonder of being fearfully and wonderfully made by our loving Creator. Trace the implications of our unique blueprints to understand and love others well. In our study, we consider the effect of the Fall upon each design and explore its impact on our relationship with God and with each other. We identify the source of our deepest needs and rejoice in God’s provision. We live by His grace and in victory as difficult people and with difficult people. Finally, we see and celebrate a redeemed design that overflows with fruitfulness and reveals the truth about God.

The Weaver

THIS POWERFUL allegorical narrative draws us to the Weaver who designed and orchestrates our lives according to His amazing love and wisdom. True stories ignited The Weaver. The relational intimacy of the 139th Psalm, John’s description of love throughout his books, and God’s amazing grace as revealed in Romans moved me through this narrative. This story illustrates God’s loving and mighty hand in all circumstances, joys, and sorrows of our lives. Our God-designed personalities intertwine with life experiences to draw us to Jesus, mold us to His image, and move us to love and care of each other better.

Squanto, A Story of Compassion

CAPTURED as a young boy by English Explorers, and later by slave traders, Squanto experienced fear, loneliness, mistreatment, and disrespect. Spanish monks bought him at the slave auction, cared for him, and set him free. Years later, Squanto found passage on a ship for home. He returned to discover his entire tribe wiped out by smallpox. He wandered for months. All seemed lost, yet God’s purpose for redemption unfolded. Squanto remembered the compassion shown by monks instead of the injustice of Englishmen and slave traders. He returned to show compassion to the Mayflower pilgrims, which saved them from starvation.

Ruby, A Story of Kindness

AT ONLY SIX YEARS OLD, Ruby Bridges braved the first day of integration in the public schools of New Orleans. People who lined the sidewalks weren’t there to wish Ruby a good day. No teacher wanted to teach Ruby except Mrs. Henry. Parents kept their children home so they couldn’t play with Ruby. When she had nightmares about people who didn’t want a little girl with dark skin at their school, her Mama reminded her to say her prayers. By the end of that year, a few children returned to school. Many people didn’t see Ruby as the beautiful girl she was. Ruby chose to value others, no matter how you feel about them.

Haley House

BASED on actual events from a young boy’s perspective, Haley House tells of a family of six whom God carried through the adventures of a move, joblessness, poverty, and identity crisis. God’s purpose to draw this family closer to Himself play out as they stumble through three long and hard years. Strength, character, and sensitivity to others develop through hard times. In the end, the Almighty never ignores their prayers after all. Though life continues with uncertainty, they learn to live gratefully in God’s past grace and joyfully confident in His future grace. Haley House purposes to amuse, inspire, and draw you nearer to One who never leaves or forsakes us.

Valerie, The Legend of Northwoods

THIS ILLUSTRATED allegory of determination under abuse and bullying grew out of the real-life struggles of a child who experienced both. A persistence and strength beyond herself opened the door to Valerie’s survival. Though initially written for children, bullying and abuse do not stop in childhood. Many adults know the long-term effects of abuse and bullying, both on the school ground and in the workplace. Valerie added a letter to this story to help parents and teachers encourage those who experience abuse and/or bullying. She also uses examples from her own story to suggest resources for survival. May God use this book to encourage, strengthen, and heal children and adults who know the debilitating pain of abuse and bullying. 

As Executive Director of Sexual Abuse Victims Anonymous (SAVAnon), heart-wrenching stories of abuse form part of my daily routine. Most of these stories come to a happy ending of redemption and healing. However, most accounts of bullying, physical abuse, or sexual abuse do not end happily. Victims secretly carry feelings of guilt, shame, and low self-esteem for decades, adversely affecting every aspect of their lives. Valerie, Legend of Northwoods by MarJean Peters, is a masterful story written to prevent bullying and provide a basis for healing those young lives already affected by it.

—Sandra S. Skinner-Young, RN, BSN; Founder and CEO of A.C.A.C.I.A., LLC

Bullying and other kinds of abuse afflict untold thousands of children locked in the dependency of childhood. The little tree, Valerie, will resonate with their severe loneliness and rejection, as well as the child within the abused adult reader. This book is a tool that presents an opportunity for dialogue with the otherwise silent victim. MarJean skillfully paints feelings to teach survival and hope while suffering evil and hopelessness. Professional guidelines for abuse recognition and treatment resources enhance the book for adults personally or as supportive helpers of children.

—Perry Underwood, Executive Director AbAnon; SAVAnon

Christmas Stories For All Ages

AFTER the decorations come down, the wrappings trashed, and the tree stored or mulched, the holiday season often leaves us with a sense of empty exhaustion. MarJean and her granddaughter, Anna, created a collection of inspirational Christmas writings and drawings to help make Christmas brighter and a lot more meaningful. God never meant for us to find meaning in the wrapping, activities, or preparations. It’s when we leave the flurry of activity and walk out back to the “stable” to take a long look at the Son of God, that we find purpose. When we allow those five little fingers to grip our wonton hearts with His naked humanity and perfect divinity, He brings everything else into focus.