AMY'S ONLINE - Check out her band here:



Here she comes on about halfway thru and sings "Time After Time":


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Joy Through the Storm: Me of Little Faith
By L.J. Douglas

"Ask and ye shall receive." (John 16:24) How many times have we heard that Scripture? How often do we smile and nod and profess to have the faith strong enough to claim that statement? Growing up in a Christian home, attending church my whole life, I must have heard, read or even said those words hundreds of times through the years. But it was not until recently that I had to face the reality that maybe I didn’t completely believe it!

My husband Steve has faced some major physical challenges in the past five years. After surgery, a couple of grim diagnosis and medically related job layoffs, his doctor finally told him that he could no longer work and recommended filing for disability. We did so immediately, but fear hung over us like a dark cloud. We had heard repeatedly that it was common to have a claim denied at first, and even if it was approved it could take up to two years to start receiving benefits. How would we survive that long on the small amount I made? Where would rent money come from? Would the utilities get shut off? How could we possibly get through this having to wait so long?

Then one day as I was praying for God’s provision, I remembered hearing that we should pray specifically for what we need. "Why not?" I thought. "I am a child of the King. My father desires to give me good gifts." ( Matthew 7:11) From that day on my prayer became this. "Lord, if it is Your will to provide for us in this way, please let Steve be approved for disability. I know chances are slim that it would happen any time soon, but you are a God of miracles! I ask that you would bless him even further and let him be notified of his approval the week of his birthday!"

For months I repeated that heart cry multiple times a day, reminding myself that no matter what the outcome, God was in control. But underneath the brave face and profession of faith was the frightened child who kept asking, "What are we going to do?"

Every time I laid my burden at the feet of Jesus, it seemed only a few steps before I turned around and snatched it back up again. It was not until April rolled around that I finally came to grips with my error and repented for my attempt at controlling the situation. Matthew 6:31 & 32 encouraged me to "Take no thought saying, ‘What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink, or How shall we be clothed?’….for your Heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things."

And so I began to rest in the knowledge that He knew what we needed and cared enough to take care of us, and I began to feel peace. I should have known that it was all in the plan when time after time we would be almost out of food or money or even toilet tissue! And somehow at the last possible minute, exactly what we needed would be there. Through the loving help and support of friends, family or church we always "squeaked" by. On paper, my paychecks were never enough to cover the bills. But miraculously we never lost electric service or missed paying rent.

The week of Steve’s birthday came and I waited for the miracle to happen. Nothing. Each day the mailbox was empty. But I resolved to be at peace no matter what the outcome, and I continued to pray. Two days later a letter arrived announcing his approval and it was dated the day of his birthday! I was stunned. That couldn’t be a coincidence! Gratitude and shock meshed together overwhelming me with emotion. But once again, I had to repent. Why was I surprised that my prayer had been answered? Not only had God granted my specific request, He had taken the extra step to date that approval letter exactly ON Steve’s birthday. It was as if the Lord was giving me a gentle nudge to remind me that He could and sometimes WOULD do even that which is…"exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think…" (Eph 3:20

It seems strange that I would need to ask God to increase my faith to the point where I could at least believe He will keep His promises. How far I have yet to go!! But Jesus knows my weakness and the desire I have to grow in Him. So I can rest again in knowing that He will help me where I am lacking. I can ask in faith, believing that He hears me and He WILL answer. It may not always be in the way I hope for, but then again sometimes it just might exceed my expectations. How great is our God!

Copyright L.J. Douglas
July 2008


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Joy Through the Storm: Just Like Dad
By L. J. Douglas

CountryRAINdrop@aol.com

On my way to a recent doctor’s appointment, I tried to stretch the sore muscles in my neck as I drove. The tension I was carrying had manifested itself as stiffness, and fatigue mixed with stress had put me in a very anxious state. My mind flitted from worry to worry and I felt completely overwhelmed. Reaching the final turn on my journey, I slowed down on the residential street and was immediately taken in by the scene laid out before me. A man was cutting his lawn with a push mower, and trailing behind him a bit off to the side was a tiny tow headed boy. His blond curls bobbed in the breeze as he shuffled along in little denim overalls, diligently pushing his own miniature plastic lawn mower. I slowed down the car and drank in the beautiful picture, feeling my tension ease away.

I smiled for the first time in awhile and told myself as I drove on that if they were out when I came by again, I would stop and thank them for making my day. That opportunity didn’t come, but through the following days and weeks, I couldn’t get that scene out of my mind. Something about it had deeply affected me and I felt as if there was something I was supposed to learn from the experience. After mulling it over for some time, I prayed for God to show me what it was that He wanted me to see. The answer didn’t come immediately, but was more like the gradual rays of light that come at dawn. And it was almost as if I could hear God chuckle. It was so simple! We as His children should desire to be like Him in all things! Even those every day mundane chores should be committed to Him and done for His glory. Sure, our "lawn" may not be a pristine as His, but if we follow in His footsteps and do all we can to follow His example, He will honor the simple desire of striving to be like our Father.

I don’t have to work myself to mental and physical exhaustion to try to be perfect. I just need to set the goal of becoming more like my Father every day. Proverbs 3:1 says, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart." And in Ephesians 5 we are told to "be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children…..for you were once darkness, but now you are light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord." The desire to be like my earthly father goes back many years, but thanks to a little boy with a plastic lawn mower, I now understand the importance of imitating my heavenly Father in every aspect of my life.

Copyright L. J. Douglas