Tilt a Little Higher A Devotion by Jamin Baldwin

Up early to meet a friend for morning coffee, I noticed an orange glow peeking around my curtain. The sunrise! 

   

Excited I went to the window to snap a photo. As I pulled back the curtain and lifted my camera, I noticed an old abandoned trailer and a trash heap marring the bottom half of my photo. Tilting my camera gently higher, I smiled as I cut all the ugliness from view.

  

 You know we've all done it. Found that perfectly wonderful picture of our child or something beautiful. But, when we go to take the picture you notice something undesirable in the background. So, what do we do? We clean it from view, or keep turning until all we can see is the beautiful things. So, the ugly doesn't become a distraction and rob the spotlight. 

    

Oh, that we did the same in our day to day lives. The Bible tells us to think on things that are lovely,  pure and virtuous. If only we would stop looking at the ugly things in our lives. Stop focusing on the mess. On the abandonment. On the trash marring the view.

   

Allow yourself the pleasure of focusing on the beautiful things in your life. The ugly will always be there. But, it's not worth taking a picture of. 

   

Tilt a little higher. 

About Jamin:

I have many writing passions, Historical romance and poetry topping my list of favorites. I also enjoy brainstorming and critiquing with other writers.

Keepsake Box

I was ready to launch my debut novel in 2013--The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman--and wanted something heartwarming and beautiful and different, yet fairly inexpensive to use as a marketing item that would be valued by the recipient. This is one of the ideas (had used it in a similar way years before) I decided upon.

It's easy, quick and fairly simple to do.

Materials needed:

• Choose type of wooden box you want (I used a simple wooden slatted box, like a recipe box, only bigger) Hobby Lobby and other craft stores are the best place to buy these.
• Glue (a gel material or even Elmer's glue will work)
• Picture (I printed off a picture of my book on thinner card stock, but regular paper would work too) 

P.S. I also applied small wooden letters to spell Hope, a theme in the book, but you could use them for a name of intention for the box, such as recipes.

To assemble:

• Stain your box, if you want. I used a fairly light stain but it's your choice. Let dry.
• Measure your box top to see what size of picture you need. A little bigger won't hurt.
• Now light a match or use a candle lighter and carefully burn the edges of your picture. Be prepared to smother the fire as needed so that too much won't be burned away. Jagged edges are good! 
• Now gently wipe away all smudges of soot, leaving just a touch of black to the edges.
• Apply glue to the back of your picture and place on the lid of the box. Press firmly, smoothing out all wrinkles. Let dry.
• Once dry, apply a varnish (or mod podge) to all surfaces of your box. 

Keep as a nice gift to your self or share with others. They make beautiful gifts to your children or grandchildren. Use as a recipe box or memory box for pictures or other collectable items. Vacation shells from the beach. Souvenirs. Small files. Use your imagination. 

Have fun!

 

ABOUT  CAROLE:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Connect with her here:

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

I also am part of several other blogs: 

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/

Barn Door Book Loft: http://www.barndoorbookloft.net/ 

She not only has her above, debut novel available, but the first book in her mystery series: Hog Insane and the first book in her WWII romantic suspense spy series, With Music in Their Hearts, available They are available on several online sites including   Amazon