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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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« Announcing #ChasingCommunity Linkup!
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

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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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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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