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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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February Giveaway & Exciting Announcements

Welcome back, friends.

Y’all, my heart is bossing me around and has something it wants to say: Thank you.

I’m always blessed by your company, but especially weeks when prayers are shared.

Friends, I need you to know it’s never about pretense, numbers, or filling another word-count quota. The honor of your prayer burdens finding safety here is not lost on me.

Something I know about this community is that we are believers in prayer and its authority to make a difference. Tweet This Thank you for the opportunity to hold your burdens and wait expectantly with you.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT #1!

Everyone who linked-up with Chasing Community  in February was entered into a drawing to win this sweet Holley Gerth journal from DaySpring. Isn’t it lovely? Our randomly-picked winner this month is: Misty Phillip! Congratulations, Misty! Thank you for sharing your heart in this space each week, we appreciate you.

And, good news! We’re beginning a brand new month with a brand new drawing! All who link-up here in March will be entered to win another fun gift! Thank you, friends, for sharing your words at this table.

May your ministry of words always find community here.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT #2!

This month we’re starting a fun series called “But God,” and are so blessed to have some sweet friends guest-posting with us.

This series will feature “But God” testimonials. Moments where, from a human perspective, things may not have seemed perfect, but God brought beauty, richness & hope from them—resurrecting that which seemed lost—redeeming it for His glory.

I hope you find this series encouraging, because—aren’t we all facing our own “But God” moments at any given time?

I pray the faithful words of these dear sisters are a blessing and remind us that—He is a resurrection God, breathing new life into barren places. Tweet This

I’ll kick things off next week with a “But God” moment from my life, then I’ll step aside and give the floor to these beautiful women of God:

  • March 16th — Jill Savage. Jill is an author and speaker who is passionate about encouraging families, and is founder of Hearts at Home. Jill just released her latest book, No More Perfect Marriages , co-authored with her husband Mark. If you haven’t already had the pleasure of being blessed by Jill, I’m excited to introduce you to her.
  • March 23rd — Crystal Storms . Crystal is a writer and heart-encourager who loves Jesus and seeks to glorify God in all she does. Her site is a beautiful blend of encouragement for your heart, and encouragement for your marriage. Her gentle spirit is a sweet source of blessing to many.
  • March 30th — Betsy De Cruz . Betsy is a writer who encourages women to fill-up daily on the word of God, so that our faith grows and spills into our everyday. Betsy’s heart for the Word is authentic, contagious and such an inspiration to me.

    EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT 2.1 !

We’ll be having special giveaways every week of the “But God” series!! Yippee for Yay!!

Friends, more than anything, I pray these “But God” words speak hope into our lives, and remind us nothing is wasted in the Kingdom of a Resurrection God. 

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

24 Comments

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Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    March 2, 2017 at 6:09 am

    Brenda,
    Sounds like a lot of fun’s going to be going on 🙂 What a great lineup of writers and what a great lead in…But, God! I love how you make your site so welcoming and cozy. It’s a pleasure to stop in every Thursday morning. So glad to see you writing and using your gifts of hospitality and building community. YOU are a blessing!
    Always,
    Bev xoxo
    Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…If It’s Up To Me I’m Going To FailMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      Awe, Bev–you bless me, friend. Thank you for your support and encouragement. So glad we get to live in the same city! 🙂 ((HUG))

      Reply
  2. Liz says

    March 2, 2017 at 7:07 am

    Yup…. What Bev said! Your site is a bright ray of sunshine for me! Thanks for all you do! XO
    Liz recently posted…Word Nerd Wednesday – CommandMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:41 pm

      Liz, thank you for your sweet words of encouragement, sister. You’re such a blessing. ((hug))

      Reply
  3. Michele Morin says

    March 2, 2017 at 8:17 am

    Ha! Your heart is bossing you around.
    Thanks for listening — and thanks for being here so faithfully each week.
    Michele Morin recently posted…Writing Her Way into Truth: Till We Have Faces (9)My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:42 pm

      xoxo

      Reply
  4. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    March 2, 2017 at 8:34 am

    Wow, lots of exciting news to share today! I hope your March has gotten off to a wonderful start!
    Lisa/Syncopated Mama recently posted…Your Magnificent Chooser by John Ortberg, Illustrated by Robert DunnMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:43 pm

      Happy March back at ya, Lisa. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Becky Hastings says

    March 2, 2017 at 8:43 am

    Can I just tell you what a wonderful job you’re doing?! I sincerely mean that. You have created such a welcoming, enthusiastic, safe atmosphere in this link-up and I so deeply appreciate it. I look forward to it each week!

    And I don’t know how I didn’t see this before, but I love your ponytails and sandals line!

    To the start of an exciting March!
    Becky Hastings recently posted…4 Books I’m Reading In FebruaryMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:44 pm

      Becky, your beautiful encouragement means a lot. Thank you, friend. ((hug))

      Reply
  6. Maree Dee says

    March 2, 2017 at 9:34 am

    Brenda,

    Thank you for hosting an excellent link up and a beautiful website. I look forward to what you are bringing us in March.

    Maree

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:45 pm

      Thank you for being here and sharing each week, Maree. Have enjoyed connecting with you. 🙂 ((Hug))

      Reply
  7. Kay says

    March 2, 2017 at 11:47 am

    So many fun things going on here. I just love this community. Thanks for working toward sisterhood, Brenda!
    Kay recently posted…Why Invitations are Both Awkward and Worth ItMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:48 pm

      Thanks for being a part of this sisterhood, Kay. It’s been a blessing to connect. ((hug))

      Reply
  8. Sherry Stahl says

    March 2, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    Brenda,
    I would love to take you up on your commitment to pray 🙂 I would really appreciate your prayers today. My hubby had the flu overnight and passed out. I spent most of the night with him in the hospital getting IV and tests. I began my linkups today from the hospital. We’re home now, but I’m feeling kind of ‘iffy’ and tired. I have to make a video for a church I am speaking at next month and I’m not feeling well to make it. I also need to get a shot for my missions trip next Friday. I need a touch from the Lord. Thanks for caring and providing this great community.
    Much love,
    ~Sherry Stahl
    xoxo
    Sherry Stahl recently posted…Want a Great Idea on How To Observe Lent?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 2:15 pm

      Oh, Sherry, my goodness. ((Hug)) Honored to pray with you, sister.
      Oh Father, I lift up my sweet sister, Sherry to you today. God, may you heal her husband and may these tests come back negative for anything major. Father, I pray you’ll strengthen Sherry allowing her to fulfill what you’ve given her to do, and Lord, I pray you’ll help her to give herself grace. Father, please bring Your community around her and her family as help-meets for them. Jesus please touch Sherry today, please be near to her, and provide comfort and rest for her spirit. God, thank you for the power of prayer. We believe your words — that where two or more are gathered in prayer, you are there with them. Father, thank you for being in our midst and for caring enough to hear our hearts — Father, together we ask these things in the worthy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
      (((Sherry xoxo)))

      Reply
  9. Lesley says

    March 2, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    This sounds like a great series. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for all you do in running the linkup and building this community.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:49 pm

      Thanks for sharing your words here each week, Lesley. You’re a blessing. ((hug))

      Reply
  10. Joanne Viola says

    March 2, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    This has become such a wonderful place to visit each week. I always leave encouraged. Much excitement in each announcement today 🙂
    Joanne Viola recently posted…Mundane or Important?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 2, 2017 at 7:51 pm

      Thank you for sharing your encouragement with me, Joanne. That blesses my heart. So glad you’re here. ((hug))

      Reply
  11. Sue Donaldson says

    March 2, 2017 at 8:20 pm

    I love a good BUT GOD story – thanks for bringing it on and yes may we always listen to our Boss! Blessings! (Love giveaways! Maybe I can contribute something sometime. LMK) (You’re the Boss)

    Reply
  12. Julie says

    March 2, 2017 at 10:51 pm

    The series But God sounds exciting! I will be checking it out!
    Blessings to you Brenda!

    Reply
  13. Lux G. says

    March 8, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    Oh, Brenda. So much to look forward to here. Love those generous giveaways. I say, if you’re blessed, what more to do but share it.
    Excited for the But God series. Yes, we do have those moments. I can’t count how many is mine.

    Thanks for spreading love and positive vibes all the time.

    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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