• Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

in Uncategorized

January Giveaway!

Welcome back, friends.

What a fun month it’s been connecting with you all. Thank you for sharing your words at this table.

Guess what? Remember those monthly drawings?

Everyone who linked-up with #ChasingCommunity during the month of January was automatically entered into a drawing for a sweet gift.

And what a sweet gift it is. I’m excited to share (In)Courage’s brand new (and first!) book with one of our sweet sisters here. I wish I could order a case of them and ship one to each of you, because—what a darling book! Feminine and elegant, graceful and practical, honest and trustworthy—this book doesn’t disappoint.

The winner (blindly selected at random) is — Lois Flowers! — Congratulations Lois!! I pray that Craving Connection is a blessing to you. Thank you for being a part of Chasing Community.

And, good news! Today starts the cycle all over. Everyone who links up in February will be automatically entered to win another fun little gift. Yay!

Thank you for being a part of this new community—because ministry is always more fun with friends.

<a href="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/chasing-community/"><img  src="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/cc-image-button.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>

It’s a pony-tail and sandals environment around here. No fancy rules, just a few things:

  • Family-friendly posts only, please.
  • Please visit and comment on the post linked before yours–and others as you’re able.
  • Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)

Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.

I’m linking up today with my friends at #ChasingCommunity. Come join the fun!
Tweet This

 Loading InLinkz ...

This linkup is now closed, but we’ll meet you back here next Thursday for another #ChasingCommunity!

36 Comments

Thanks for the Company!

Subscribe to receive updates and 15 lovely printables created just for YOU!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

« If My People
Who Do You Think You Are Anyway? »

Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    February 2, 2017 at 6:12 am

    Brenda,
    Looks like we’re both on the same “Craving Community” wavelength. I’m encouraging my readers to join in at over at (in)courage for the 5 weeks of challenges starting Feb. 7th. Would be great to invite our link up crew here as well!! The more the merrier!!
    Blessings and hugs,
    Bev xo
    Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Are You Craving Connection? (Plus Giveaway!)My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:48 pm

      That is a good idea, Bev! I haven’t even clicked over to see what all is involved in that yet. Not sure if I’ll have the margin to commit to a lot right now, depends on how heavy the involvement would be. 🙂 I saw you were giving away a copy this week, too! It’s a fun book to give away, isn’t it? (And, such a pretty book.) Thanks for sharing, friend. xoxo

      Reply
  2. Lesley says

    February 2, 2017 at 6:16 am

    Sounds like a great book. Thanks for all you do in hosting the link up.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      ((Hug)) Thanks for being a part of this new community, Lesley. Have enjoyed connecting with you. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Linda Stoll says

    February 2, 2017 at 6:58 am

    Yay, Lois! I just love that girl …

    ;-}
    Linda Stoll recently posted…Smitten Over These Sweet Mid-Winter LifesaversMy Profile

    Reply
    • Lois Flowers says

      February 2, 2017 at 7:04 am

      Awww … thanks, Linda! <3
      Lois Flowers recently posted…God’s Timing is AstonishingMy Profile

      Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:55 pm

      Love your heart, Linda. xoxo

      Reply
  4. Lois Flowers says

    February 2, 2017 at 7:02 am

    Wow .. I’ve never won anything at a blog before! What a great way to start off my day. 🙂 Thanks, Brenda!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      Well, it was your turn then. 🙂 So happy to be able to able to share this lovely book with you. Hope you love it. 🙂 Thanks for being part of Chasing Community, Lois! ((hug))

      Reply
  5. Michele Morin says

    February 2, 2017 at 8:04 am

    Congratulations, Lois, and thanks Brenda for all the energy you put into this friendly place!
    Michele Morin recently posted…Till We Have Faces (5): Why Should Our Hearts Not Dance?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      <3 xoxo

      Reply
  6. Sherry Stahl says

    February 2, 2017 at 8:14 am

    Congrats Lois! Thanks for all the fun Brenda 🙂
    ~Sherry Stahl
    xoxo
    Sherry Stahl recently posted…{New Series} All Things NewMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:56 pm

      Thanks for being a part of the fun, Sherry. ((hug))

      Reply
  7. Joanne Viola says

    February 2, 2017 at 8:22 am

    So happy for Lois! Thank you for all you do to gather us here each week!
    Joanne Viola recently posted…Fan the FlameMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:57 pm

      ((hug)) Thanks for being here, Joanne. <3

      Reply
  8. Linda Kinsman says

    February 2, 2017 at 9:40 am

    Hi Brenda,

    Thank you for visiting my blog today and leaving such a nice comment. I’m a southern lady too and I felt your warm, welcoming spirit hop right off the screen at me. I’ll subscribing to your blog so I don’t miss your posts! Happy Ground Hog day!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 6:59 pm

      Linda, so nice to meet you. Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement. I look forward to connecting with you. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  9. Julie says

    February 2, 2017 at 10:31 am

    Looks like a great book! Thanks for such a welcoming community!
    Julie recently posted…Why We Need Date Nights When We’re MarriedMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:00 pm

      Thanks for being a faithful part of this community, Julie. Have enjoyed connecting with you. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  10. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    February 2, 2017 at 10:41 am

    I hope your February’s gotten off to a great start!
    Lisa/Syncopated Mama recently posted…Have You Roe’d Yet? (free giveaway!)My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:01 pm

      Likewise, Lisa! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Abby McDonald says

    February 2, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    What a beautiful community you have here, Brenda. Thank you for sharing your linkup! Oh, and Craving Connection looks like a gem. It’s on my list to check out. (which is constantly expanding. 😉 )

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:03 pm

      You too? My books-to-read list gets longer by the day, too. 🙂 I suppose there are worse problems to have. 🙂 Thanks for your sweet words, Abby. Love your encouraging heart. ((xoxo))

      Reply
  12. Christine Duncan says

    February 2, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Oh Yay! Lois!!! I clapped when I saw her name come up, she’s a dear blogging buddy 🙂 And Brenda, you’re creating such an inspiring community here… drinking in all the good words being shared… and this book is definitely on my list now!
    Christine Duncan recently posted…Let Me Be RealMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      ((Christine)) Thank you for this sweet encouragement, and thank you for being a part of this new little community. Has been great to connect with you. 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  13. Dolly at Soulstops says

    February 3, 2017 at 1:51 pm

    Brenda,

    Congrats to Lois…I know her from blogging 🙂 And thanks for visiting my blog, too 🙂

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 3, 2017 at 7:08 pm

      Thanks for stopping by, Dolly. Nice to meet you in the blogosphere this week. 🙂 ((blessings))

      Reply
  14. Marva | SunSparkleShine says

    February 3, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    This sounds like a great book, Brenda. And how very sweet of you to offer a giveaway to those who link up. I missed it this time but hope to visit again soon.
    Blessings and sparkles!
    Marva | SunSparkleShine recently posted…When You Want to Overcome the Friendship Crisis {Introducing the Sparkle Circle}My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 4, 2017 at 10:05 pm

      Would love to have you join the fun, Marva. Enjoyed your interview with our friend, Horace. 🙂 Love the fun name of your site. 🙂 Great to connect with you. ((blessings))

      Reply
  15. Victoria @ Through * For * By says

    February 7, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    What a neat idea!!! I followed you over here from the comment you left on my blog. 🙂

    I”m trying to track down an email address for you so that I can reply. I clicked on your email button, but the address isn’t complete. Can you help?

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      February 7, 2017 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Victoria, nice to see you. 🙂 Thank you for letting me know about the email address. Not sure how that happened, but I think I’ve fixed it. Let me know if you have any further problems with it. Thanks for visiting, nice to connect with you. 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Lisa/Syncopated Mama Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Tags

(In)Courage But God Callings Children Control Faithfulness Family Fear Fill in the Blank Freedom Friendship Giveaway God Graceful Guest Posts Home Hope If My People Inclusion Marriage Motherhood Nature P31 Pain Prayer Proverbs31Ministries Purpose Quotes Racism Rejection Rest Seasons Sisterhood Surrender Teens
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

From the Author

Encouragement for Today Badge

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

God bless America. 🇺🇸 God bless America. 🇺🇸
I see You, God. 🙌 💗 . . . #glory #praise #wo I see You, God. 🙌 💗
.
.
.
#glory #praise #worship #ocean #sky #creator #sustainer #lord #god #beauty #naturalbeauty #sunset #moon #rainbow #faithfulgod #peace #hope #life #onelife #faith #beach #christianwriter #nature #heavenandnaturesing #seegod #believe #photography #rejoice #witness #goodnessofgod
Fluent in the story of tomorrow, my heart envision Fluent in the story of tomorrow, my heart envisioned scene upon scene of a future where my little one grew and laughed and lived.
.
Yet, dreams that once danced deep in the hollows of my heart now rest inside a slip of bygone time.
.
One moment I was pregnant with life—the next, a heartbeat lost to eternity.
.
Whether miscarriage or other aching loss, perhaps you, too, know this empty echo in your spirit as you grieve your beautiful dreams interrupted. I’m so sorry for your loss, dear friend.
.
It’s okay to feel what you feel; God isn’t judging you for being human and heartbroken. The Lord understands your disappointment and confusion, and He doesn’t need you to filter your pain.
.
Your God is right here, right now, loving you where you are.
.
In times like these when there are no answers to the “whys” your heart cries, dear friend, may you rest in the tender love of God, who is forever with you.
.
Curl up in His palm and be held in the comfort of His care.
.
Full article live on Proverbs31.org. We’d love for you to join the conversation today, friend. 💗
.
.
#loss #heartache #dreamsinterrupted #unexpected #motherhood #pregnancy #miscarriage #pain #pregnancyloss #children #family #fear #tomorrow #rest #trust #ache #empty #alone #darkvalley #neveralone #godiswithus #godslove #godspresence #comfort  #faithfulgod #why #p31 #christianwriter #godsgirl #peace
Dear friend, throughout the broken places of our s Dear friend, throughout the broken places of our stories, the hurt that left us feeling broken has never limited God’s power in our lives.
.
You see, God’s activity isn’t limited by our understanding.
.
Even when His hand isn’t visible from today’s perspective, our faithful God is working amid the scars of our stories, growing abundant life and purpose.
.
Dear friend, the broken parts of your story don’t make you a broken person. You’re still the whole, cherished, purpose-filled woman God created you to be. 
.
The wounds of your story aren’t lost on your God. Take heart—those scars you fear might limit you, become powerful testaments of the God who tenderly meets you in them, growing abundance in their midst.
.
How can I pray for you today, friend?
.
We’d love for you to join the conversation over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today! (Proverbs31.org) 💗
.
.
#brokenness #brokenstory #broken #purpose #grief #pain #rejection #heartache #struggle #trust #faith #wounds #faithfulgod #whole #wellbeing #cherished #scars #redeem #strength #abundance #growth #provision #christianwriter #ministry #wounded #writersofinstagram #p31 #flourish #riseup #freedom
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 · Market theme by Restored 316

© Copyright 2024 Brenda Bradford Ottinger · Log in