Penned Without Ink: Trusting God to Write Your Story

by Sarah Lynn Phillips

With a near-fatal car crash resulting in trauma, uncertainty, and life-long limitations, Penned Without Ink: Trusting God to Write Your Story will draw you into the true story of one family's journey of faith. The experiences shared within the pages of this book will lead you to sit beside hushed bedsides, observe delicate operations, and feel the angst of many life-and-death decisions. In the midst of multiple layers of pain and loss, you will witness quiet miracles, as well as sure and certain lights that pierce through the darkness. With pictures of both present-day individuals and biblical characters, Sarah Phillips captures the essence of hope born through her struggle to trust and rely on God. Between the lines, you will also uncover your own journey of trust. A faithful and loving God desires to write your life story no matter what happens.

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2016

About the author

Sarah Lynn Phillips has authored numerous articles and devotionals, along with her award-winning book, Penned Without Ink: Trusting God to Write Your Story and her companion Leader's Guide. Her life story has many wonderful chapters, but it has also taken some unexpected turns, including her family’s near-death experience resulting from a car crash and, twelve years later, the sudden loss of her husband. Sarah offers a vision of hope in the hard times through her writing and speaking. She has three adult daughters and three delightful grandsons.

Reviews

[Josette Abruzzini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned without Ink, by Sara Lynn Phillips, is a book that brought me way beyond my comfort zone. Rose colored glasses generally prevent me from thinking about, let alone vicariously living through, the physical, emotional, and spiritual aftermath of a serious car accident. With Ms. Phillips’ guidance, I was led to a new understanding of God’s grace.
The story of Sara’s path beyond “the event that tore her world apart” speaks of her patience and endurance, and ultimately her strength of spirit. She accepts the changes in her expectations, and in her relationships with God and with those she loves. She shows us how, through “trials of any sort”, we can grow in our own spiritual lives.
The poignant concepts demonstrated in Ms. Phillips’ powerful writing demanded my full attention. This was not a book to be casually read for a quick plot. Rather, it was an honest chronicle from which we can learn to “dance with the inevitable changes” that each of us are sure to encounter.

[Rebekah Schrepfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of a tragic accident and one family’s journey of faith by Sarah Lynn Phillips, and I loved it. The testimony given about how God’s grace and strength and peace sustained an entire family through tragedy and change was a beautiful thing to read. Sarah Phillips has a gift for writing. She leads the reader along in how God worked in her own life from her perspective. The clear implication is that God is working personally with ALL of us in personal and specific ways. It could be an easy road God has given you to walk, or perhaps a difficult one. In all of it, God lovingly leads His children for their good and His own glory.

I enjoyed following her train of thought, and I especially appreciated her continual reference to Scripture. She also has a Leader’s Guide so that her book can be used as a Bible study.

Read more book reviews by Rebekah Schrepfer at MostlySensible.com.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written book that walks you through the crises faced by a family involved In a horrific auto accident. It forces you to think about unwanted events in your own life, pointing you to hope in God and the meaning of trust when life seems out of control. The author mentions other helpful books and includes some great quotes and insightful, short allegories. I borrowed this book, but I want to get my own copy. A great read.

[Jill · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had so much potential. Ms. Phillips wrote Penned Without Ink in a very strange format. It was very back and forth between ideas. This book was extremely hard to follow. There is an important story within these pages but it was too hard to sift through it all to find it.

[Mary Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned without ink

A very special book about a families experiences following a serious car accident. Thank you for sharing these experiences and helping us to understand that God does indeed work in mysterious ways

[Elaine Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Penned Without Ink” by Sarah Lynn Phillips is an amazing testimony of trusting God when your entire life is thrown into turmoil. Surviving a multiple car crash in a dense fog, Sarah’s family will never be the same; yet she focuses on the many ways God used these traumatic circumstances to transform her into the Christian that He wants her to be.

Sarah’s transparency is both brave and illuminating, and allows the reader to experience her journey of despair, hope, and faith. Heartbreaking, riveting, and inspiring, “Penned Without Ink” is a must read for Bible study groups, as well as individuals.

[Cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Faithful Story

A beautiful story of how God the author and perfecter of all our stories worked out His plans in the lives of this family to bring about His good for them and glory for His name. Overflows with the hope and love that only God can give.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penned Without Ink is a gripping true story of one family’s survival following a fiery multi-car crash. Author, Sarah Lynn Phillips writes their story in narrative non-fiction more riveting than fiction could ever be. Interspersed with her narrative are lessons in God’s grace and healing, His encouragement and guidance when it seems one more moment is impossible to live through, when no decision is clear-cut. This book is a must-read for all who have faced or are in the middle of trials and pain, who cannot see the end in sight. Sarah Lynn Phillips wins my highest praise! To God be the glory!

[Martin Wiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Touching Story

This was one of those books I could hardly put down...and not because I had promised the author a review. Her story of love, pain, and loss is a story many can identify with. The added "Your Story" part at the end of each chapter also makes it appropriate for personal reflection and group discussions. Definitely worth the read.

[Martin Wiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of love and loss with much practical application. Could hardly put it down. Definitely worth the read.

[Trina Matous · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story and the determination to heal. God's grace in the midst of a horrific accident is evident and encouraging as we face our own trials.

[Ruth]

A friend of mine who has gone through her own deep waters loaned me this book recently, and I'm thankful. The author's experiences stand in testimony to God's faithfulness through suffering. Interspersed with thoughtful biblical instruction, the narrative is straightforward, readable, and moving. Recommended.