• Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

in Uncategorized

#ChasingCommunity Linkup 60


Happy March, friends! (I KNOW! March? Really? Slow down 2018!)

I have some fun things planned for spring that I’m excited to share with you. Life’s handed me some unexpected challenges I’ve needed to prioritize, so it’s taking me a little longer than expected, but I hope to have some new happenings here soon!

Thank you for your patience, and for all your prayers. And, as always, thank you for being here—you bless my heart in all the ways. ♥

<a href="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/chasing-community/"><img  src="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Linkup-button.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250" /></a>

It’s a casual, pony-tail & sandals environment around here, but a few important reminders:

  • Please remember to visit and leave some encouragement for other friends who’ve linked-up today — this is the heart of community & your words of support could be just the thing another friend needs to hear today.
  • Please only share like-minded words of spiritual encouragement and insight.
  • Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)
  • By linking up & leaving your email address you agree to receive #ChasingCommunity updates.

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

Ministry+Friends=Fun. I’m linking up today with my friends at #ChasingCommunity. Come join us!
Tweet This
I’m linking up today with my friends at #ChasingCommunity. Come join the fun!
Tweet This
 Loading InLinkz ...

26 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.

« A Girl I Once Knew
Honestly »

Comments

  1. Stella says

    March 1, 2018 at 5:28 am

    Happy new month Brenda! Blessed to have you here, thank you for hosting.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:03 pm

      Same to you, Stella. Thank you for being here. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Becky Hastings says

    March 1, 2018 at 6:47 am

    Excited to hear what’s to come friend!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      🙂 ♥ xoxo

      Reply
  3. Debbie Williams says

    March 1, 2018 at 7:01 am

    Happy March Brenda. Looking forward to seeing what you have to share with us.

    Thank you for the link-up.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:04 pm

      Happy March back at you, Debbie. 🙂 Thanks for being here. ♥

      Reply
  4. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    March 1, 2018 at 7:14 am

    Brenda,
    Now you’ve got us curious?? What’s in the works?? March is coming in with rain, rain, rain….what does that mean for us?

    Blessings sweet friend,
    Bev xo

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:05 pm

      I’m actually enjoying the rain today. It’s one of those days where I’m tired and just want to be indoors anyway, so the rain is kind of comforting in a weird sort of way. 🙂 ♥

      Reply
  5. Lesley says

    March 1, 2018 at 7:19 am

    I agree, it’s hard to believe it’s March already! I wish someone would tell the weather here as we currently have a foot of snow with more forecast! At least the lack of public transport and police advice not to travel will give me some extra writing time as I have nowhere to go! Hope March is good for you- look forward to hearing your updates!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:07 pm

      Ooh, hope you get some great writing time today, Lesley. Sorry for all the snow still. I pray the Lord meets you in the stillness of late winter snow and puts His words on your heart. ((Hug))

      Reply
  6. Michele Morin says

    March 1, 2018 at 7:51 am

    Happy March, Brenda!
    It sounds as if you are going to be busy and blessed. Can’t wait to hear the details!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      Happy March to you, too, friend. Thank you for being here. ♥

      Reply
  7. Linda Stoll says

    March 1, 2018 at 8:04 am

    your invitation is gentle, Brenda …

    ;-}

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:08 pm

      ♥ ♥ ♥

      Reply
  8. Kristi Woods says

    March 1, 2018 at 8:09 am

    Happy March, Brenda. <3 It sounds as though Feb. landed with a few unexpected events or plans. Praying for you.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:09 pm

      It’s been a winter full of the unexpected, but God’s been good. So very good. Thanks for the prayers, friend. ♥ xoxo

      Reply
  9. Rachel Lee says

    March 1, 2018 at 8:18 am

    Looking forward to what fun things you have planned! PS- it always takes me doubly as long to complete anything! 😉 Thanks for the linkup Brenda!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:11 pm

      Haha, me too, Rachel. Guess we need to learn to allot extra time from the get-go! 🙂 Thanks for being here. ♥

      Reply
  10. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    March 1, 2018 at 8:49 am

    I cannot believe it’s March already! I hope it’s a great month for you!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:11 pm

      Hope it’s a great March for you too, Lisa. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jill says

    March 1, 2018 at 9:02 am

    Excited to see what’s coming ahead for you my friend! Praying and thanking God for you today!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      ♥ Awe, thank you, friend. You bless. ♥

      Reply
  12. Sherry Stahl says

    March 1, 2018 at 2:54 pm

    Praying for you Brenda 🙂 <3
    ~Sherry
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      March 1, 2018 at 4:12 pm

      Thank you, Sherry. Hope you birthday month is filled with all the goodness you deserve, sweet friend. ♥

      Reply
  13. Donna Reidland says

    March 1, 2018 at 11:23 pm

    Happy March to you, too! Hopefully, spring is just around the corner, although after a mild almost warm February, our temperatures have dropped drastically. I look forward to the new things you have in store. Blessings!

    Reply
  14. Amy Jung says

    March 2, 2018 at 8:25 pm

    Blessings as you try new things this spring and navigate your way through the unexpected! 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply 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.

Never can there be too many magnolia pictures. . S Never can there be too many magnolia pictures.
.
Says the lens of my eyes; of my soul.
.
(“Not so,” says my iphone storage, but that’s a tomorrow problem.)
.
Every time I leave my house, I can’t not stop, not stare, not take another jillion pictures.
.
This magnolia tree of mine, she keeps a record of time, reaching farther into the sky with each passing year.
.
In all her southern glory, she lifts leaves and limbs toward heaven, pointing to the One on whom all glory rests.
.
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.
.
Even in times when life doesn’t feel full of lovely, may we listen to the magnolia’s anthem.
.
She doesn’t question the winter, knowing full well that her Maker has yet to deny spring its beauty.
.
I wonder how breathtaking magnolias must be in the City of God. ✨
.
“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 💕
.
.
.
#magnolia #spring #beauty #glory #godsglory #wordship #praise #faithfulgod #riseup #showup #christianwriter #ministry #amwriting #leadership #influence #serve #growwhereyoureplanted #pictures #grace #bible #weary #listen #joy #life #lovely #plants #garden #majesty #southern #naturespeaks
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?
.
Perhaps, for you, that’s a beloved Home State where the soil smells like childhood and dreams.
.
Or, maybe the humble shelter of your youth, where boo-boos were kissed & fairytales carried you into dreamland.
.
Perhaps you’re like me, and yesteryear’s home holds heartache and rejection, insecurity and confusion.
.
Far too much of my past I spent chasing roots, not sensing an inheritance of belonging within the halls of my kin.
.
Layer by broken layer, though, the Lord is healing me from within, showing me that…
.
What our hearts long for can’t be satisfied with what our lives long for.
.
The temporal can’t pacify the eternal.
.
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.
.
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.
.
No place, no person, no position—no earthly brand of belonging—can ever claim home to your soul like the Haven of Him.
.
Quiet your spirit in the shadow of His covering, dear friend, for never will He stop calling you His own. 💕
.
.
.
#home #mothersday #belonging #longing #rejection #insecurity #questions #confusion #heartache #brokenness #leftout #healing #acceptance #inheritance #haven #soul #rest #childofGod #included #christianwriter #ministry #influence #leadership #amwriting #abandoned #forgotten #loveofgod #youreenough #comeasyouare #faithfulgod
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?
.
You’re asking “why,” and “when, O Lord,” yet the situation your heart plays on repeat at the altar of God, remains seemingly unchanged.
.
Oh, friend, I understand; me too.
.
Sometimes those miracles we’re waiting for, they come at the expense of years of prayer.
.
Not because God is cruel, but because God is thorough. He phones nothing in; takes no shortcuts with our hearts.
.
The life-mending, soul-touching, supernatural work of God takes time to witness from our perspective.
.
Oh, but take heart, dear friend, for God hears the cries of your heart.
.
That outcome you’re praying for? Your God is already there, working out the details ahead of you.
.
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.
.
Hang on, my friend; keep praying, for those prayers are a worthy sacrifice to the only God who is altogether able. 🙌💕
.
.
.
#questions #confusion #heartache #uncertainty #weary #prayer #miracle #godisalreadythere #faithfulgod #hope #praise #remember #waitongod #trust #faith #patience #ministry #serve #influence #leadership #godisable #christianwriter #amwriting #worthygod #exhausted #drained #grateful #struggle #stress #bible
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?
.
If so, I understand. Me too.
.
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.
.
You are not alone.
.
This one’s for the weary. 💗
.
Head over to Proverbs31ministries.org. to read & join the conversation! 💕
.
.
.
#weary #exhausted #tired #spent #hope #jesus #rest #weariness #busyness #struggle #serve #ministry #leadership #servantleadership #influence #humility #godknows #godcares #legacy #boundaries #wisdom #prayer #makeadifference #sacrifice #peace #faithfulgod #proverbs31ministries #followjesus #itsgonnabeokay #godisnear
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Market theme by Restored 316

Copyright 2022 Brenda Bradford Ottinger · Log in