You may be familiar with the old hymn "Count Your Blessings" ... Count your blessings, name them one by one/Count your many blessings, see what God has done ... and so forth. The message of the song is not "Cheer up and act like everything is fine." The lyrics in the verses encourage us to acknowledge when we are "tempest-tossed" or "burdened with a load of care."

But even in the midst of those hard days, it helps if we can actively look for the blessings in our lives and take a moment to be thankful. One study found that research participants who regularly wrote down what they were thankful for in a "gratitude journal" showed higher levels of optimism, enthusiasm, attentiveness, and energy, and they felt better about their life as a whole. Training our hearts and minds to look for things thank God for certainly can't hurt!

A thought from the Word...

Psalms 50:23
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!” - See more at: http://blog.echurchgiving.com/20-bible-verses-on-gratitude-and-thanksgiving/#sthash.sVDS5lnC.dpuf
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!” - See more at: http://blog.echurchgiving.com/20-bible-verses-on-gratitude-and-thanksgiving/#sthash.sVDS5lnC.dpuf
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!
The renowned Southern gospel trio known as Greater Vision turns 25! They are celebrating 25 years of ministry with a new album, and we caught up with member Gerald Wolfe to ask him about the new project and the mission of the group. Click here for more!
Enjoying a few days at home this week, Mark Lowry decided to take some time and accompany his pastor on a visitation to a nursing home. He wrote about his experience, saying that he "went to be a blessing and was blessed." Click here for more...
Last week, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers were honored to receive a special award from the state they call home ... click here to find out more!
If you've been following along with our updates on Joey and Rory Feek, you know how hard it has been for this couple as Joey's illness has taken so much of her strength. She has good days and bad days, but Rory posted recently about how their baby, Indiana, never fails to make Joey laugh out loud ... click here for more.
Have we told you lately what a joy it is for us to put together Homecoming Magazine? We love finding out and writing about the happenings in the lives of the Gaither artists, as well as other interesting folks in the Christian community at large. We hope you love this magazine too ... feel free to write us anytime with your feedback about the magazine, newsletter, or anything Homecoming-related. You can email us at homecomingmagazine@salempublishing.com or send a letter to Homecoming Magazine, 402 BNA Dr., Ste. 400, Nashville, TN, 37217.