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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Linkup Launch & Giveaways!!

Happy New Year, friends!

2017 is in the house and may we Show Up for her! Friends, we don’t need anyone’s permission to be who we are in the new year. May we dare to dream big dreams because we have a big God, and may tender grace fall fresh on a newborn year.

** Welcome to our very first #ChasingCommunity Linkup! **

When I began praying about a linkup, the working title I used was “Potluck Prose.” A communal table filled with sweet offerings to the One for whom we write.

My southern mind envisions a dinner-on-the-grounds scene. Long tables cobbled together, stretched farther than bellies can afford. A mosaic of beloved dishes seasoned with soul. Sweet scents rising, showering the heavens with mouth-watering glory.

And, that’s my vision for Chasing Community — A table set with hard-fought words, seasoned with grace. A pleasing aroma rising, lavishing glory on the Author of holy.

What a blessing it is to share this space in ministry with you.

Our words of hope and comfort, grace and pain, healing and joy—we offer back to the One who gave them—for Kingdom use.

May your ministry of words find community here–for worthy is the One who called us.

** Giveaways!! **

Among those who link up today, (Thursday, January 5th), three winners will be randomly chosen to each receive a $15 Amazon gift card. Woohoo! (Winners announced next week.)

And, thank you also for sharing this community with your people. For each mention of #ChasingCommunity on social media, you’ll receive another entry into the drawing! Yay. (If you’d let me know about those in the comments, that would be so helpful. I’m not a technology queen, so I’d hate to miss anyone!)

Happy New Year, friends! May 2017 be good to you.


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Please use the #ChasingCommunity button, or share the link at the bottom of your post so others will know where to find us!

Family-friendly posts only, please.

Don’t miss out! Giveaways at the #ChasingCommunity Linkup! Thurs. Jan. 5th. Come join the fun!
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24 Comments

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Winners and Words »

Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    January 5, 2017 at 6:37 am

    Brenda,
    So excited about your link-up. Also great to see you back wearing your writer’s hat in 2017!! Bloggers are the best and what a wonderful idea to bring us all together to share, learn, grown and have community like that is found at a potluck dinner 🙂 Cheering you on sweet sister!!
    Love and ((hugs)),
    Bev xo
    Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Loneliness As A Gift?My Profile

    Reply
  2. Michele Morin says

    January 5, 2017 at 7:19 am

    I think it’s absolutely magical that you are taking on this link up for 2017!
    Thanks for opening your doors wide to us all.
    Every blessing to you!
    Michele Morin recently posted…Till We Have Faces: Welcome to the DiscussionMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Sarah Geringer says

    January 5, 2017 at 7:38 am

    Very glad to be a part of this new community. I pray blessings on you for hosting it. Cheers to starting something brand new for God’s glory in 2017!
    Sarah Geringer recently posted…Trusting God in My Current SeasonMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sarah Geringer says

      January 5, 2017 at 7:41 am

      I also tweeted about it and I’m sharing the linkup announcement on my Facebook author page.
      Sarah Geringer recently posted…Trusting God in My Current SeasonMy Profile

      Reply
  4. Becky Hastings says

    January 5, 2017 at 7:40 am

    So excited for your new link-up! I happily shared on Twitter.
    And this: “A table set with hard-fought words, seasoned with grace.” STUNNING!

    Great job!

    Reply
    • Nicole Bressler says

      January 6, 2017 at 7:32 am

      YES! LOVED THAT TOO!!! Kind of bummed I missed the first link-up, but I’ll be back! Your twitter share worked 🙂

      Reply
  5. Laura Rath says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:00 am

    I love your vision for Chasing Community and I’m happy to join you here! Shared on Twitter.
    Laura Rath recently posted…My One Word 2017My Profile

    Reply
    • Laura Rath says

      January 5, 2017 at 8:40 am

      Also shared on my FB page.
      Laura Rath recently posted…My One Word 2017My Profile

      Reply
  6. Paris Renae says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:03 am

    So very cool, Brenda. I shared on Facebook. Will link with you weekly!

    Reply
  7. Kelly R Smith says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:20 am

    Linked and tweeted 🙂 Thank you for being a community cheerleader!

    Reply
  8. Sherry Stahl says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:44 am

    Thanks for putting out the door mat! My feet are firmly planted on it and I’m looking forward to a visit as we all Chase Community on your linkups. Praying God’s blessings on your new venture with this linkup!
    ~Sherry Stahl
    xoxo
    Sherry Stahl recently posted…I’ve Become A Nerd!My Profile

    Reply
  9. Nicole Kauffman says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:51 am

    So excited to join this link-up every week. I shared it on Twitter!

    Reply
  10. Linda Stoll says

    January 5, 2017 at 9:09 am

    What a fun gathering, Brenda! It’s nice to see familiar faces and to have the opportunity to reach out to some new-to-me friends. Thanks for opening your doors wide!

    Comfort and joy …
    Linda Stoll recently posted…What Saved My Life Last YearMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Lesley says

    January 5, 2017 at 9:16 am

    I love your vision for this linkup and I’m glad to be joining you! I’ve shared it on Twitter.

    Reply
  12. Dawn Boyer says

    January 5, 2017 at 9:44 am

    I found you through Lyli’s link up and had to check it out. I have a link up on Thursday, too.. I have taken a break from link ups ( other than my own) but I was really intrigued by the name of your link up and wanted to encourage you and root you on. I will look forward to visiting you more as I step gently back into the world of chasing community. 🙂

    Blessings and Good Luck!
    Dawn

    Reply
  13. Gleniece Lytle says

    January 5, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    Thank you, Brenda, for opening your door to us! I’m happy to be a part of the community here. You are a dear friend and I wish the best for you in your new venture.
    I shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. ?
    Gleniece Lytle recently posted…The Peaceful Wife {a book review}My Profile

    Reply
  14. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    January 5, 2017 at 2:32 pm

    Hope your new year has gotten off to a fantastic start!

    Reply
  15. Horace Williams Jr says

    January 5, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    Congrats on the new endeavor Brenda! I appreciate the invite to your new Linkup. I hope to participate here often as I can. I am blessed from reading your thoughts you share here. Have a fantastic weekend and May God continue to bless you and yours in 2017.
    Horace Williams Jr recently posted…God, my word from You in the New Year is what?!My Profile

    Reply
  16. Julie Holmquist says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    Yay!!! So excited for launching the 2017 LinkUp party! Love reading everyone’s entries! Thank you so much for doing this.

    Reply
  17. Heidi says

    January 5, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    Excited to join this! 🙂
    I shared in two Google+ groups.

    Reply
  18. Jill says

    January 6, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Happy to share and link with you my friend! Blessings to you as you reach out and share your lovely words and allow us to as well! Love this “Chasing Community — A table set with hard-fought words, seasoned with grace.” Amen, Brenda, Amen.

    Reply
  19. Lux G. says

    January 11, 2017 at 9:00 pm

    This is going to be exciting! 🙂
    Lux G. recently posted…OPPO F1s: Capturing PhilippinesMy Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Push buttons, Power Sources, and Prayer – plantedbylivingwater says:
    January 5, 2017 at 11:14 am

    […] Chasing Community […]

    Reply
  2. Where to Run When Everything is Falling Apart – plantedbylivingwater says:
    January 5, 2017 at 11:20 am

    […] Chasing Community […]

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This time last year, I was 11 days into what was s This time last year, I was 11 days into what was supposed to be a one-month sugar fast. After going a little sideways on the holiday sugar the previous month, I decided to re-center & nix the sugar for January 2020.
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Fast forward to January 2021, over 12 months later, and I’m sill sugar free.
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Never did  I intend to make this a lifestyle, it just sort of chose me. When I got to February & saw all the valentine candy, knowing my affinity for those dang chewy cinnamon and cherry hearts, it only seemed right to continue my fast another month.
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But, in rolled March being all tempting with her candies of Easter, so I continued through April.
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But, a funny thing happened on the way to May. By May, I didn’t really want sugar anymore. (Mostly.)
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So, here I am in January 2021 still sugar-free. I’ve lost 34 pounds, and feel so much better.
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Friend, who do you want to be this time next year? Whatever that goal is that feels big & daunting, I’m here to tell you that—you can do it!
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What will the “you of January 2022” be thankful to the “you of today” for doing?
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Show up for her! Change is rarely comfortable & easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, or that you’re not worthy of it, my friend.
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We can get so busy with life & family & ministry that we forget to show up for ourselves. It’s not selfish to remember your goals & dreams, friend. Allow those seeds God planted to instinctively guide you as you baby-step your way to success.
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And, if you’ve already fallen off the wagon with your new-year goals, no worries! It’s okay! Brush yourself off, give yourself grace, and begin anew! You’ll be glad you did this time next year!
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You’ve got this, friend; I believe in you! 💗
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#showup #youvegotthis #newyeargoals #goals #resolutions #change #2021 #newyearnewyou #mindovermatter #showupforyourself #nevertoolatetostart #believe #faith #babysteps #ministry #influence #leadership #hope #amwritjng #writersofinstagram #allthingsarepossible #withgod #believeinyourself #trustgod #onedayatatime
Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, th Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, they invest themselves into who we become, leaving a clear before and after in their dust.
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We hold these moments close, protective of their scars, as they nestle deep within our personalities, affecting the way we view ourselves and others.
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Whatever the hurts of our lives, our meandering minds aren’t shy about chasing illusions, wondering who we would have been had certain chapters been absent from our stories.
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How easily we question whether our insecurities and struggles might be exchanged for confidence & calm had suffering not inked itself upon our yesterdays.
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But friend, time and again Scripture reveals the Lord’s delight in using broken people, shaping what “would have been” into something full of purpose and abundance.
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Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach , sweet friend.
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Our sorrows aren’t too great for God to find His glory in them.
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— Read the full devotion & join the conversation over at proverbs31.org today! Meet you there, friend! 💗
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#proverbs31ministries #butgod #beautyforashes #sorrow #pain #struggle #brokenness #scars #rejection #tragedy #purpose #hope #grace #glory #redemption #compassion #wisdom #wouldacouldashoulda #imperfect #godsglory #amwriting #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #hope #peace #comfort
Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure with God.
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The Lord has done amazing work in my life in the area of fear, but even still, it continues to be a stronghold in my life at times. What about you, friend?
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I encourage you to check out this beautiful new study by @katymccown . Together May we step into 2021 armed with tools & truth to smile without fear!
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Praying for you, sweet friend. 💗
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#bookrelease #readersofinstagram #fear #faith #biblestudy #womenintheword #smile #trust #study #quiettime #shesmileswithoutfear #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #god #beautyforashes #reader #amreading #faithfulgod #nofear #nofearnewyear
As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but wander to all the loved ones we walked into this year with, who we’ll sadly not walk out with.
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Praying for all who are grieving today. May God meet us in 2021 with joy in unexpected places, and heal our hearts as only He can.
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Happy New Year, friend. I’m so thankful for you! May His favor rest upon your home in 2021. 🥰
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