Wednesday, December 31, 2014

DIETER'S GRACE (Song, Part 4) .... by DianaDee Osborne

December 31

DIETER's  GRACE   (song)  Part 4 CHORUS   EXCITING  NEWS!
ALBUM:      Amazing Joy 'n' Choices 
Song location
  http://DianaDeeOsborneSongs.com/Songs-2008-2012.php
  PRAYER song    (free downloable music is at the link)
  CHORUS  ♬ ♪
I know Your Grace has saved me, God.!    
And as I say Grace for this food,
I pray, and put on Your Ephesians 6  armor   
in this real war for my soul.
I thank You Jesus for  Your   
Grace on that Cross, and
    prayers for me for protection for my soul....
        John 17:20 prayers    for me........


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 JESUS prayed for me, John 17:20,   JESUS prayed for us all, John 17:20......

Are you WEARY of dieting?  Of stopping ANY bad habit?
A new year is upon us.  We plan with hope -- until we remember that we did last year, too.
Satan is real.  Jesus said so.  You don't have to believe.... he's real whether or not you do.  And this enemy of God keeps trying to distract us into drifting from God's way,  then keeps beating on us with nagging discouragements.  
You don't have to believe there's an evil being trying to get you to give up on God.  Like gravity that exists whether or not you believe, Satan tries to drag you down AS he did to JESUS.  Future blogs will provide scriptures showing where God, where Jesus, have pointed out the truth of Satan's existence (including John 8:44).
This is Jesus's description of what happens when people don't prepare for an enemy:  "But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils."    -- Luke 11:22
But this is a new year coming !  
A time to be encouraged!   Let's  focus on the JOY God offers! --

GOD's  ENCOURAGING PROMISES
1 Corinthians 10:13--  We EACH can win against EVERY temptation.  God really WANTS to help you.  He invites you to ask!  He encourages,  you can do this with His help!  He's faithful!
Matthew 9: 36  "When He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Galatians 6:9  "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
GOD's  SOLUTION FOR SURVIVING TEMPTATION:  
          ASK      His       help.
"Pray that you may note enter into temptation."    --Jesus
       Matthew 26: 41     Mark 14:38     Luke 22: 40      Luke 22:46   
James 1:12   a key verse with  instructions in the earlier verses.
James 1: 13 -- Don't blame God.  Temptation to SIN does NOT come from God  (though testing may).
James 4: 7 and 8 -- Resist Satan ***AND ALSO*** draw  near to God.  We   NEED   God's help.

PRAYER -- 
Thank You, dear Holy Spirit for answering  
prayers for wisdom that You have given.
I bless You, Lord, I thank You Holy Spirit.
I worship You, Lord.  I PRAISE YOUR NAME!
YOUR GRACE HAS saved me!
      Your grace WILL save me..........
Help me always focus on You.  
      I choose to give  YOU  hold on my soul.   For I LOVE You. I CHOOSE You.

=====================================================

©2012, 2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Earlier format published 31 Dec 2012. Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

DIETER'S GRACE (Song, Part 3) .... by DianaDee Osborne

December 30

DIETER's  GRACE   (song)  Part 3
The EXCITING NEWS  chorus is Part 4, coming!
ALBUM:      Amazing Joy 'n' Choices 
Song location  http://DianaDeeOsborneSongs.com/Songs-2008-2012.php

  PRAYER song    (free downloable music is at the link)

Verse  3  ♬ ♪

Thank You, dear Holy Spirit for answering  
prayers for wisdom that You have given.
I bless You, Lord, I thank You Holy Spirit.
I worship You, Lord.  I PRAISE YOUR NAME!
YOUR GRACE HAS saved me!
      Your grace WILL save me..........
Help me always focus on You.  
      I choose to give  YOU  hold on my soul.   For
JESUS prayed for me, John 17:20,   JESUS prayed for us all, John 17:20......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you ever wondered... who CARES anyway? 
What does it matter how much I weigh, or what I look like, or what I eat or don't?
Such questions are SO common for ALL of us who are fighting.  The real question is:
Which is more important -- my reflection in the mirror, 
or   my reflection of Christ Jesus (see Second Corinthians 3:18).   
We each know the TRUE answer.  So does Satan.  That's why he keeps trying to distract us into drifting from God's way, then keeps beating on us with nagging discouragements.  DON'T GIVE UP!    DON'T GET WEARY! 
GOD's  ENCOURAGEMENT
1 Corinthians 15:58 -- NOTHING YOU DO FOR THE LORD IS EVER USELESS.
That includes working WITH His help to fight temptations, to eat or shop or TALK in a way that Christ Jesus would approve if He were standing right beside You.
Because He IS.
PRAYER -- Lord God, THANK You that You care and have made so many TRUE promises to help me.  Please help me to hear You,  to follow You.  To give JOY to you in my lifestyle, I pray in the Holy NAME of our LORD and Savior Jesus THE Christ.

==========================================================
©2012, 2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Earlier format published 29 Dec 2012. Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com
©2012 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Other encouraging resources:  http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Monday, December 29, 2014

DIETER'S GRACE (Song, Part 2) .... by DianaDee Osborne

December 29

DIETER's  GRACE   (song)  Part 2
ALBUM:      Amazing Joy 'n' Choices 
Song location  http://DianaDeeOsborneSongs.com/Songs-2008-2012.php

  PRAYER song    (free downloable music is at the link)

Verse  2  ♬ ♪
Thank You, Jesus, for Your presence    by me    
in this blessing meal You have given.
I bless You, Lord, I thank You, Jesus.  

I worship You, Lord.  I PRAISE YOUR NAME!
YOUR GRACE HAS SAVED ME!
      Your grace WILL save me..........
Help me always focus on You.  
      I choose to give  YOU  hold on my soul.   For
JESUS prayed for me, John 17:20,   JESUS prayed for us all, John 17:20......
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GOD's  ENCOURAGEMENT
JESUS prayed for a prayer for Simon PETER that has always meant SO much to me.

Peter was about to deny that he even knew Jesus -- which Jesus knew.
Jesus had the PERFECT opportunity to slam Peter for lack of faith.
Jesus had a great reason to turn his back on Peter.  But he didn't.  Jesus said this:
       "But  I  have  prayed  for  you, 
             that  your  faith  should  not  fail; 
   and when you have returned to Me, 
              strengthen your brethren."

 Luke 22:31  and on   records this prayer that I can imagine our loving LORD saying to me.... to YOU.
And not just a prayer but a  MISSION to follow --
  not to   wallow   in our failures -- diet or otherwise --  but to
SHARE with other people  
HOW  our LORD Jesus's GRACE   
has indeed saved us.
 THINK OF HOW OFTEN PETER MUST HAVE REMEMBERED JESUS's word  "WHEN"....
a HOPE  knowing that Jesus EXPECTED Peter to have victory over Satan (see Luke 22:31).
          Remember YOUR Hope.... Jesus expects you, me, to have victory   when we put on HIS armor that He offers.... Ephesians 6:10 to end....
    Take a new look at what PETER said from  
   EXPERIENCE  to encourage you  &  me:         
      “HUMBLE yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
       BE SOBER.  BE VIGILANT; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.   RESIST him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world…..To HIM   [God]   be the glory and the DOMINION  [that is, your ruler, the world ruler] forever and forever, AMEN.”    --  First  PETER  5:8 

==========================================================
©2012, 2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Earlier format published 28 Dec 2012. Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Sunday, December 28, 2014

DIETER'S GRACE (Song, Part 1) .... by DianaDee Osborne

December 28

DIETER's  GRACE   (song)  Part 1
ALBUM:      Amazing Joy 'n' Choices 
Song location  http://DianaDeeOsborneSongs.com/Songs-2008-2012.php

         It is intriguing, though sad, 
to observe in church groups that the most taught-against-sins….spoken of by many,    and not just by preachers… 
are seldom sins that attract the person speaking. 

How often have we heard overweight pastors   list a dozen sins against God --    but not mention gluttony?  
This is NOT  about  their  "sins"  (for metabolism etc. truly causes overweight).  Just that God calls us to face TRUTH.... even when it hurts to confess,  even to ourselves at home.
This set of blogs is built around an old song God guided me to write 18 months ago.
GRACE -- a prayer said before eating.
GRACE -- a prayer for God's forgiveness.
GRACE -- Jesus's promise to all who turn to Him for forgiveness and help.... for any sin.
PRAYER  SONG   (free downloable music is at the link) 
Verse  1  ♬ ♪

Thank You, Father God, for this food. 
And for my self-control You have strengthened.
I bless You Lord, I thank You, God. I worship You, Lord. 
I PRAISE YOUR NAME!
YOUR GRACE HAS SAVED ME!
      Your grace WILL save me..........
All my past focus on food has 
seemed to grab a hold on my soul. but
JESUS prayed for me, John 17:20,   JESUS prayed for us all, John 17:20......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOD's  ENCOURAGEMENT
JESUS prayed for YOU and me ---
Jesus was about to die, which He knew,  yet He LOVED YOU and me so much that WE were in His prayers in His final hours --------
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through  their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, [are] in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
   GOD's  WARNING -- We must be  helped by HIM.     
      “HUMBLE yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
       BE SOBER.  BE VIGILANT; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.   RESIST him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world…..To HIM   [God]   be the glory and the DOMINION  [that is, your ruler, the world ruler] forever and forever, AMEN.”    -- 1 Peter 5:8  

==========================================================
©2012, 2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Earlier format published 27 Dec 2012. Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Strength and more Strength ............ by DianaDee Osborne


December 27
My child was not born knowing calculus.  I always loved her anyway, even when she kept failing simple division.
That sounds silly to say.  Why WOULDN'T  I love my child just because she had not yet grown strong in math skills?

Yet -- isn't that what we do to ourselves?   
We fail at something and then wallow in shame and blaming ourselves....  Sure, sometimes God guides us to know we should accept blame.  
But that's simple "accountability" so that we can move on to try again.   
And yes, God holds us accountable for our actions -- even in things like food choices.  
Yet He still loves us and will help us.
 It's a JOY to see how many times the word 
"STRENGTH" is in God's Word.

I too was NOT born knowing calculus.  
My daughter now TEACHES calculus.   
She loves me despite my repeated math weakness over the years.  
I love her whether she fails or excels.  

God calls me, calls us:  Don't run in shame just because you failed.  Come to Me and I SHALL strengthen you.
I LOVE  you.   Not just 'the world' in general, but  
YOU  YOU   YOU."  
In Anything we ask,  
God lovingly gives strength 
when we ask 
and trust 
His love. Including seeking wisdom and strength in our food choices.

ENCOURAGEMENT
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.... praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...."  Ephesians 6:10 and 18.  (Pray for other people too) 

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.   -- Psalm 15:2  New KJV

"I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies." [including temptations]  - Psalm 15:3 
"It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect"  - Psalm 18: 32

PRAYER
Lord, I believe.  Help Thou my unbelief.
Mark 9: 24  remains my hourly prayer.  It
makes no sense that Mighty God would
bother to tell me a lie.  And
Thus,   with trust,  I know that God will
answer as I Pray:
Lord, I believe.  Help Thou my unbelief that you care about even little things like helping me in a diet.  I believe your Word.   Titus 1:2 Truth.

HINTS
Weight Training:  Simultaneously a diet aid and an Encouraging Parable:
1.  Even when pounds come off slowly, there is joy in gradually being able to move more weight.
2.  Weight lifting (whether machines at a gym or a gallon of milk) uses a tension that often seems to reduce the mental tension.
3.  Time for the Parable:  It is impossible to immediately go from barely lifting 10 pounds to easily lifting 40 pounds.  Give muscles time to grow.  Give practice in food control time to strengthen:)

JOYS  from  GOD through OTHERS:
From Brother Lawrence's THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD (written in the late 1600s;  Public Domain:)

“ “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God,
who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” ...."
     God is our Dear Friend who YEARNS for us to come to Him asking for STRENGTH.  
And God sees this DIET as, perhaps not great in the World's definition of "greatness,"  
but great in the fact that we are seeking 
to show love to Him 
by obeying His Word 
to avoid self-centeredness 
and etc.

==========================================================
©2012, 2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Earlier format published 27 Nov 2012. Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Friday, December 26, 2014

Two Kinds of Backsliding ..... by DianaDee Osborne

DECEMBER 26
It's LOGIC:    There's no way to do enough good to get into heaven
so logically, doing bad doesn't disqualify /
send us to hell after we've asked Jesus to be our LORD.

THERE'S A LOT OF COMFORT in this, 
especially after what is usually a 
self-centered day focused on pleasures.  
But just because we ARE confident to be 
avoiding hell after asking Jesus to be our LORD (see  First  John)
doesn't mean we should be satisfied with self-centered sinnings, 
including over-eating.

Some Christians say there is no such thing as backsliding.
That sentence indicates a profound lack of Bible study;  just check any concordance.

The confusion comes because there are  two definitions.   
For God's Grace described through His  Word clearly says that 
our good deeds do not earn heaven, 
and our sins once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior
therefore do not return us to being destined for hell.

 So we can't backslide from salvation back into damnation after accepting Jesus as our Lord, praying a prayer such as Romans 10:9.

But God Himself 
repeatedly uses the word “backsliding” or “backslidings” plural,
and related meanings, to show our
CHOICE   to move away from obedience to Him.
Our  CHOICE   to reject God's way and do what we want,
even if saved by Grace through Christ Jesus.

As you hear these examples of God's Words below,
don't think just about punishments and God's anger;  
listen to the hurt we are causing our Almighty and 
Loving God in response for all His love for us:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to
DECEIT, They refuse to return.”  -- This is God's question through Jeremiah 8:5
       (You cannot return from where you've never been;  they WERE following God in past.)

“Why do you boast in the valleys, Your flowing valley, O backsliding daughter 
who trusted in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against me?'”
-- This is God's question to people and nations confident in their riches,  Jeremiah 49:4

My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him.” 
-- This is God's accusation of religious people through Hosea 11:7

from selections of JEREMIAH  5,  verses  2 to 10
"Though they say, 'As the LORD lives,' surely they swear falsely.  O LORD, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, But they have not grieved; You have consumed them, But they have refused to receive correction.... their transgressions are many; Their backslidings have increased.”   --- This is God's Warning  not just to ancient Israel, but  to  us all.

For God wants ALL to be saved:   2 Peter 3:9, and  John 3:16-17 are not exclusively for Israelites.

"I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.” 

This is God's loving PROMISE through Hosea 14:4, which Jesus fulfilled
by bringing a WAY to be healed from our sins and backslidings -- if we just ask Him.
See First John Chapter One.

NOT  FOR  HEAVEN
BUT  FOR  HIM:   
LET  US  STOP  HURTING  GOD  WITH  SIN.


PRAYER:   Lord Jesus,  
I thank you so much for Your undeserved love and grace.  
Please help me to obey you -- to be your friend like you described, 
like you invited in John 14 and John 15.  Not just for me, 
but so that I can give joy to YOU as a friend.  
I need your help to obey.  
I ask forgiveness for past sinning and for strength and wisdom 
to stand for what You say is right.  I pray in Your Holy Name.

==========================================================
©2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.  Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Night Fog Diet Parable ................... by DianaDee Osborne

December 25
The murky night fog simply swallowed up the headlights' 
two thin beams.  The road was curvy and unfamiliar.
Trees and shrubs on the sides, left untrimmed to save road costs, 
seemed to grab toward me in the dark.
No other cars were on the road behind me,  
       to give a clue of how far visibility reached.
No cars were coming toward me,  
to give a clue of where the road before me was going.
I wanted to stop.  To pull over.  
But it was too dark to find a safe place.   
No resting place.
I prayed.
Suddenly, in the distance, I saw a tiny light blue light that seemed like it might be beside the road.
I aimed toward it.  Carefully.  VERY  carefully.
As I approached, I could see some more blue lights beside it: 
Christmas lights!
Still I could not see the road more than a few yards ahead. 

But these tiny lights gave hope ---------- 
                              the fog wasn't as thick as I had thought.
And eventually, as I reached them,  I could see another set of Christmas lights further on.
By following the tiny Christmas lights, 
I finally reached the main 4-lane road.
I finally could move faster.  
But having learned my lesson, I proceeded carefully.  Very carefully.

If you're like me,  sometimes the fog of problems seems impossible, endless, hopeless.
Things breaking down.  Bills.  Little illnesses. Bigger things.
Sometimes the fog of figuring out why I overeat -- for comfort? boredom? really and truly poor metabolism that's growing more common?  -- makes me feel hopeless.  Feel like giving up.
But THERE'S  a  LIGHT.....  A PROMISE that I can count on:

Life keeps marching on.  
I can't stop 'til the problems go away. 
I can't stop and stay just because I have failed in the past.  
But I CAN rely on God, who is Truth, 
to tell the truth in His word.  And the LIGHT of the WORLD sent at that first Christmas 2,000 years ago offers me, offers us,  this encouragement from God through John the Baptist's father regarding God's Son Jesus, "the face of the Lord":

Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on High has visited us,
TO GIVE LIGHT  TO THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS and the shadow of death,
TO GUIDE OUR FEET  INTO  THE  WAY 
OF PEACE.       ( LUKE 1: 76-80 )

PRAYER
LORD God, help me to NOT be discouraged in the night fogs of my life.
Help me to trust YOUR Word that when I draw near to you, call to you, you WILL draw near to me.
(James 4:7-8).  I thank you.  I trust you.  I love you and seek to obey you.  Please help me yearn more and more to obey you despite giving up the so-called comforts that I've sought in the past.

ENCOURAGEMENT
God told us through Isaiah  42: 16
that He will   [future... seen fulfilled when Jesus the Light of the World came]
"LEAD THEM IN  a  PATH   THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN"
"WILL MAKE DARKNESS    LIGHT   FOR THEM."
EXACTLY  what God did for me in the night fog.
EXACTLY what God offers to ALL who call upon Him from their fog.  

2nd Peter 3:9   and   FIRST Timothy 2:4


==========================================================
©2012, 2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Earlier format published 25 Dec 2012. Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com


Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Saving CHRISTmas ........................ by DianaDee Osborne

December 24
Hmmm.... How shall I celebrate Jesus's birthday tomorrow?
Goodies like cake and peanuts are part of any birthday party,
so enjoying foods should be ok.   Except.........
First Corinthians 10:30   and   31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

Focus on me instead of the Birthday Boy never is  ok.
Enjoying time with family and friends are a wonderful way way to celebrate the "holiday".
But God -- Jesus -- said "Be STILL and KNOW that I AM  God."
(Psalm 46:10)

  Amazing how we get entrapped in the "All or Nothing" ruts.
Today, tomorrow, on, I shall enjoy God's blessings of friends and family and fruit and:)
Today, tomorrow, on, I shall enjoy a separation of myself 
FROM    myself,  
to tell the Birthday Savior just how much I dearly love Him.
Today, tomorrow, on,    I shall  WITH God's Ephesians 3:20 empowering, seek to reach
       more and more
              to share with others all the peace and joy He has brought to me ---
       and yearns for them to enjoy also,  with Him.
For God's Great Glory,  worshiping Him only.
The only real gift I can give to the God of All Creation Who sent His Son as an innocent baby
       to die as an innocent man
               so that I can one day live with a Risen Savior and my God.
               So that EVERYONE who accepts Him can one day celebrate in person with
                          our Birthday Savior.
Isaiah 45:22 prophesied Jesus coming to save us, as do many verses in His Word (Promise):
"Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I AM God, and [there is] no other."
  
God Wants All to Be Saved.   
So God brought about the events we call CHRISTmas.
Links worth reading, as part of our birthday gift to our LORD.
 2 Peter 3:9        1 Timothy 2:4    
 Romans 11:26        2 Timothy 2:10

==========================================================
©2012, 2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Earlier format published 24 Dec 2012. Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com