NEW INKWELL

Hi everyone! We are changing blogs due to some complications with the wrong email, etc., so this is just to let you know that if you're following this blog, you need to go on over to www.theinkwell10.blogspot.com (as you can see, this URL has changed to a different address so we could keep our new blog the same address) and follow that one. That way you can still go to the same URL to check up on The Inkwell.
  So follow the new blog, www.theinkwell10.blogspot.com; this blog will soon be deleted. Thank for your input and submissions! We always love to hear from you. To contact us or send in submissions, email us at theinkwell10@gmail.com.
  God bless!

Healing Waters

Hi everyone! Kelsia and Cherie here!
  For those of you who don't know, we've been working on writing a book for the past few years. Today we finally sent our manuscript in to a publishing company, so if you think about it, you can pray that if it's supposed to be published, God would work it out.
  So what's this story about?
  Well, the title is Healing Waters. Intermingled throughout the book are the story of Quinn, a young man who gave up hope when he was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident, and the Bible-times story of Zephi, an old crippled beggar who waits daily at the Pool of Bethesda for a chance to reach the waters that would heal him. Both are seeking Healing Waters, and the journey to find it may bring things they never expected.
  So what does it take to break a man?
  What does it take to heal a man?
  Wait and read our book to find out!

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Send your submissions to theinkwell10@gmail.com
 

Lift Up Your Eyes

Driving along, watching the yellow lines stretch out in front of me, feeling the bright sunshine warm me through the window, taking in the deep blue sky without a cloud in sight . . .
  I survey my lovely surroundings.
  My heart should've been singing, my lips smiling and praising God, and I should've been excited about life. Wanting to embrace it, instead of wanting to give up.
  My heart was heavy.
  Walking along the dirt road, seeing the gravel stones blur beneath my feet as tears run down my cheeks, I struggle to be strong.
  The sun is radiantly shining, the sky stretches out in deep blueness, but my heart is heavy.
  Lying in the still of the night with my head down and tears soaking my pillow, I cry for the pain in my heart.
  You've been there. Maybe it's asking "Why?" to God and your heart aching for Him to answer your prayer . . . you've tried to have faith and believed God would answer, but still His plans are different. You feel yourself growing desperate and angry, and you want to turn your back on God. Maybe it's the pain of surrendering something you hold close to your heart and know you need to release into God's hand, but you don't want to give it up. Maybe you're feeling like you can't go on in life, like there's too much to keep your head up -- the weight on your heart is pulling you down and your cup is void of joy. Maybe it's realizing the fact that dreams don't always come true like you thought they would. Instead God has you somewhere where you don't understand why He has you there . . . you feel your heart pulled toward where you want to go, but God hasn't directed otherwise, so you know you're supposed to be there and pour your heart into it.
  Whatever you may be facing . . .
  In these moments,
  lift up your eyes.
  Pray for grace and pray for strength.
  Pray for God's hand to fill your cup overflowing.
  Ask Him to carry you.
  He will be your strength and hope.
  He sees your tears, feels your pain, hears your heart's cry.
  He cares, and loves you with an overflowing love.
  It might not change what you're facing, but lift your eyes;
  You will never face it alone.


By Kelsia


This submission was accepted by Relate magazine. Click here to read on their website.
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Send your submissions to theinkwell10@gmail.com

I Am Walking a Tightrope.

I am stumbling in the dark.
  I am performing with all my energy on a frightening, demanding stage.
  I am clinging desperately to the edge of a precipice. My strength is waning and I am beginning to slip . . .
  I am doing my best, and it is not enough, and this scares me.
  Stumbling through the darkness? It is to find You. I am so afraid of being lost.
  Walking the tightrope, clinging to the cliff? It's to keep from falling. I am so afraid of falling.
  Performing frenzied choreography on this harsh stage, dancing until I run out of breath and dancing longer . . . is to gain Your favor. I am so afraid of being rejected.
  
  Should each day of my life be a battle, a struggle to make You love me more? Sometimes I think I cannot help living like this, because I'm afraid that I am not worth holding on to.
  Really, why would You keep holding me? What am I worth to You? How many mistakes will I make before You grow tired of forgiving me and decide to cast me away?
  It's funny; the whole time I perform, I know it's all futile: Your love cannot be earned. Even if it could, my sorry efforts would never do the trick. But I am still too terrified to stop trying; I feel I must be doing all I can, for the thought of losing Your love is the most frightening thing imaginable to me. 
  Am I worth holding on to?
  
  O God! What I have always been taught is that You loved me when I was still a sinner, and that Your love never changes. My life depends on this being true, but I can barely bring myself to believe it. It's beyond reason, and too wonderful for a wretch like me. 
  But suppose it is true . . . if it is true, I have no reason to fear. If it is true, I can stop this crazy performance and serve You out of love instead of fear. And I need not wander or fall, for I have found my Help, my Peace . . . everything I will ever need. I am safe if I hold onto You.
  For You are worth holding on to. 




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Send your submissions to theinkwell10@gmail.com

This is Not the End!

                                 [Exciting things are happening.]

Ren's Writings

Here are two poems written by Renita Zook...a dear friend and talented writer

I happened upon two roads one day

And the one was high, and the other low

So I stopped and stared in bewilderment

Wondering on which I should go

The high road was narrow and rough and steep

And the other was smooth and wide and long

So I picked the road that looked best to me

And went on my way with a song

But my song soon faded the farther I went

As I choked on the dust in the air

And the bushes had thorns I had not seen before

And I fell into briar and snare

I struggled and fought to get out of the traps

Till I was bleeding and broken and bruised

I desperately cried and called for help

But no one could hear, 'twas no use

Then a Man came along who was gentle and kind

With a voice that was soft and sweet

And he helped me back up the lower road

And he bandaged my aching feet

I tried so hard to get back up the path

But so oft I stumbled and slipped

But the Man beside me just picked me up

And pulled me from bramble and dip

The crossroads were now in sight again

Much to my joy and relief

But I could not pause, I must keep on going

And my rest was very brief

"You must choose a road," my Helper said

"You cannot sit in between"

I looked in His eyes and felt a peace

For His face was calm and serene

He held out His hand to guide me along

And I took it, and hung my head in shame

For I knew I'd taken the road I shouldn't

But it was athen He spoke my name

"All if forgiven" was all He said

But the words freed my guilty heart

Neither trials, nor storms, nor man's evil schemes

Could ever tear us apart

So I've traveled the high way from that day forth

And will till I cross the strand

For I've a Friend who will help me along

It's the Man with the scars in His hand

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Will He be with me to the end?

The God I scorned and truned my back against

I saw Him on the cross and turned away

His broken, bleeding body brought me to shame

I left him alone to die

And walked away to follow the world

Oh, I stood by HIm when He cleansed the leper

I boasted whe He healed the sick

And set the captive free

My heart swelled with pride as

the lame danced, and the mute sang

And the blind rejoiced to see

But when it counted most

I was not there

Alone He had to face His enemies

Alone He bore the slashes of the whip

the mocking of the crown

the spitting, the slaps, the crown of thorns

I could not even come to bear His cross

Alone He felt the nails pierce His hands

Alone He bore the sins of all mankind

I heard Him when He cried aloud

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

I saw Him die upon that hill

Alone

Heaven's Heart ♪

Michelle Tumes is one of our favorite singers, partly because of the beautiful composition of her music and partly because of the depth and creativity of her lyrics. This song is called "Heaven's Heart". The lyrics are below.

How can I resist such tender love
Deeper than the deep blue sea
Love as constant as the morning tide
Let Your love wash over me
Let Your love wash over
How can I resist such gentle love
Whispered on the evening breeze
Love as soothing as the moonlight
Let Your love shine down on me
Let Your love shine down

Heaven's heart was written in the stars
Before the mark of time
Your heart and mine were destined to entwine
You're calling, calling to me
And I'm falling into love
Sweet love, so heavenly

I feel Your presence all around me
With me everywhere I go
Through the road I take may wander
Love will always lead me home
Love will always lead
It's a deep and wondrous thing
This mystery I know
I feel heaven reaching down inside my soul 


Thanks for watching. 
~Kelsia and Cherie


Send your submissions to theinkwell10@gmail.com