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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Announcing #ChasingCommunity Linkup!

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Happy Holidays, friends!

Whether you’re baking with toddlers, having coffee with friends, shopping with teens, or holding memories close in a quiet home—I pray the Spirit of the season falls fresh on you this Christmas.

Y’all, time is a cookie-monster in hourglass clothing. Barely tasting one year before it’s swallowing the next.

December marks the two year anniversary of this blog. Thank you all so much for your generous encouragement and support. You’ve blessed my heart in big and small ways these past two years—and for that, I’m ever-grateful. xoxo

!! Exciting announcement time !!

Introducing the #ChasingCommunity Linkup! Every Thursday. Right here!

On Thursday, January 5th, the doors swing open, and I can’t wait to share this space with you in ministry. How I look forward to serving alongside each of you as we live out our callings to write words that make Kingdom-difference.

And, Guess What?! There’ll be giveaways! Yippee for Yay!

Everyone who links up our very first week (Thursday, January 5th) will be entered into a drawing where three winners will be randomly picked. (Details to come.)

And! Each time you share about the linkup on social media, you’ll receive another entry into the drawing!

Oh but wait, there’s more!

Each month will have its very own drawing for a special gift. Everyone who links up that month will be entered to win!

Friends, how I thank you for generously extending your friendships, your prayers, your grace to me these last two years. May the Lord bless you all ten-fold.

Get ready, Get set — It’s almost go-time. Thursday, January 5th, 2017. The #ChasingCommunity doors open.  The welcome mat is set, and you’re invited. Hope you’ll join us there! flower-dd8585

 

You’re invited! #ChasingCommunity Linkup. Add your post to the potluck! There’s room at the table for you.
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Don’t miss out! Giveaways at the #ChasingCommunity Linkup! Thurs. Jan. 5th. Come join the fun!
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#ChasingCommunity Linkup! Thursday, January 5th. I’ll be there, will you? (You’re invited!)
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~ Blessed to linkup this week with beautiful Lyli at Thought-Provoking Thursday , lovely Crystal at #HeartEncouragment , sweet Susan at Dance With Jesus , and gifted Arabah Joy at Grace and Truth , and the kindred sisters of #DreamTogether , lovely Kelly at RaRa Linkup , talented Holly at Testimony Tuesday , gracious Holley at Coffee For Your Heart ,Faithful Jenny at Women with Intention ~ 

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Linkup Launch & Giveaways!! »

Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    December 15, 2016 at 9:41 am

    Brenda,
    Oh how exciting!! I’ve got the 5th on my calendar!! Looking forward to the linkup!!
    Joyous Christmas blessings,
    Bev xoxo
    Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Am I Really Seeing?My Profile

    Reply
  2. Joanne Viola says

    December 15, 2016 at 10:19 am

    It is always exciting to me to learn of a new linkup as that also means … new friends 🙂 Putting it down on my calendar & I hope to join you. I think this is my first time visiting your site so may I say, “Nice to meet you! May you & yours have a blessed Christmas!

    Reply
  3. Linda Stoll says

    December 15, 2016 at 11:54 am

    How fun!

    Can’t wait …

    ;-}
    Linda Stoll recently posted…When You’re Looking At a Bittersweet ChristmasMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Michele Morin says

    December 16, 2016 at 7:45 am

    It’s on the calendar! Looking forward to the fun!
    Michele Morin recently posted…The Freedom is in the FallingMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Debbie @ Bible Fun For Kids says

    December 16, 2016 at 8:16 am

    Thanks for sharing the link and I will be back for the new link up!
    Debbie @ Bible Fun For Kids recently posted…4.5. Jesus is BaptizedMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Sherry Stahl says

    December 16, 2016 at 8:49 am

    I’ve added it to my calendar. Cya soon 🙂
    ~Sherry Stahl
    xoxo

    Reply
  7. Laura Rath says

    December 16, 2016 at 9:00 am

    Hi Brenda,
    You’ve made your new linkup sound like so much fun! So glad I stopped over from Grace & Truth. 🙂 I’m adding your linkup button to my resources page.
    Laura Rath recently posted…God’s Perfect TimingMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Sue Donaldson says

    December 16, 2016 at 11:58 am

    remind me – love community!

    Reply
  9. Sarah Geringer says

    December 17, 2016 at 9:01 am

    I’ll be sure to join in on the fun in January. Looking forward to meeting new online friends in 2017!

    Reply
  10. Tammy says

    December 20, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Thank you for hosting this link-up! I love community and what it represents. I will be here! Merry Christmas!
    Tammy recently posted…DESIGNED FOR GREATNESS – RAHABMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Ruth says

    December 20, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    Thanks for the invitation! See you soon!

    Most recent post: https://plantedbylivingwater.wordpress.com/2016/12/18/hope-in-the-storm/

    Reply
  12. Becky Hastings says

    December 20, 2016 at 3:09 pm

    So exciting! I love finding new places to connect with people. Your enthusiasm is contagious! I’ll be back for sure! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Cheryl says

    December 20, 2016 at 11:02 pm

    Oh, wow! I am so excited to find out about a new link-up opportunity! So happy to meet you today, Brenda! God bless you in your endeavors, and congratulations on your two year blog anniversary! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  14. Liz says

    December 21, 2016 at 10:56 am

    How exciting! And very generous!

    Reply
  15. Valerie Sisco says

    December 21, 2016 at 11:38 am

    Hi Brenda,
    Stopping over from Coffee for your Heart, where I’m your neighbor today. Sounds like your of new link-up is a lovely chance to meet new friends and visit with old ones — I’ll be back for sure! Merry Christmas!
    Valerie Sisco recently posted…Travel to St. Augustine: A Past & Present PlaygroundMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Betsy de Cruz says

    December 29, 2016 at 4:35 am

    Hey there Brenda! How exciting to read about your new community linkup. May the Lord bless you greatly these last few days of the year.
    Betsy de Cruz recently posted…Encouragement and Hope When You Feel AloneMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Betsy de Cruz says

    December 29, 2016 at 8:17 am

    May the Lord bless your new linkup and your growing community, Brenda! How exciting!

    Reply
  18. Valerie says

    December 30, 2016 at 11:39 am

    I would love to be a part of your new link-up! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  19. Lux G. says

    January 2, 2017 at 2:46 am

    Wow, an exciting year for us all.
    Happy 2017!

    Reply

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Never can there be too many magnolia pictures. . S Never can there be too many magnolia pictures.
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Says the lens of my eyes; of my soul.
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(“Not so,” says my iphone storage, but that’s a tomorrow problem.)
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Every time I leave my house, I can’t not stop, not stare, not take another jillion pictures.
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This magnolia tree of mine, she keeps a record of time, reaching farther into the sky with each passing year.
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In all her southern glory, she lifts leaves and limbs toward heaven, pointing to the One on whom all glory rests.
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Boldly, yet elegantly, she speaks of a Creator who, year upon year, grows lovely things under the banner of His care in the lives of His own.
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Even in times when life doesn’t feel full of lovely, may we listen to the magnolia’s anthem.
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She doesn’t question the winter, knowing full well that her Maker has yet to deny spring its beauty.
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I wonder how breathtaking magnolias must be in the City of God. ✨
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“Not to us, O, LORD, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.” Psalm 115:1 💕
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The May calendar has a way of turning our thoughts The May calendar has a way of turning our thoughts toward home, doesn’t it?
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Perhaps, for you, that’s a beloved Home State where the soil smells like childhood and dreams.
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Or, maybe the humble shelter of your youth, where boo-boos were kissed & fairytales carried you into dreamland.
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Perhaps you’re like me, and yesteryear’s home holds heartache and rejection, insecurity and confusion.
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Far too much of my past I spent chasing roots, not sensing an inheritance of belonging within the halls of my kin.
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Layer by broken layer, though, the Lord is healing me from within, showing me that…
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What our hearts long for can’t be satisfied with what our lives long for.
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The temporal can’t pacify the eternal.
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We’re so prone to searching for home in containers not meant to carry its calling—whether in place or people, title or position, acceptance or belonging—that we seek to satisfy its longing with lesser things.
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Having a sense of home within our circles is beautiful and sacred, but—it’s a shallow substitute for the inheritance we have in God.
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No place, no person, no position—no earthly brand of belonging—can ever claim home to your soul like the Haven of Him.
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Quiet your spirit in the shadow of His covering, dear friend, for never will He stop calling you His own. 💕
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Dear friend, do you feel like you’re etching a p Dear friend, do you feel like you’re etching a prayer into the ear of God, day upon year upon decade?
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You’re asking “why,” and “when, O Lord,” yet the situation your heart plays on repeat at the altar of God, remains seemingly unchanged.
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Oh, friend, I understand; me too.
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Sometimes those miracles we’re waiting for, they come at the expense of years of prayer.
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Not because God is cruel, but because God is thorough. He phones nothing in; takes no shortcuts with our hearts.
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The life-mending, soul-touching, supernatural work of God takes time to witness from our perspective.
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Oh, but take heart, dear friend, for God hears the cries of your heart.
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That outcome you’re praying for? Your God is already there, working out the details ahead of you.
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Even when it feels like you’re crying yet one more prayer into the silence, He hears and is moving ahead of you in ways you can’t even imagine right now.
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Hang on, my friend; keep praying, for those prayers are a worthy sacrifice to the only God who is altogether able. 🙌💕
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I wonder, friend, do the demands of life leave you I wonder, friend, do the demands of life leave you feeling downright weary at times?
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If so, I understand. Me too.
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Oh, that our souls would rest in remembering that Jesus also knew what it was to feel weary as He walked this earth in human flesh.
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You are not alone.
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This one’s for the weary. 💗
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Head over to Proverbs31ministries.org. to read & join the conversation! 💕
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