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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Spring Spotlight & Giveaway

Welcome back, friend.

I pray Spring is whispering sunshine-scented joy into your home and life this week.

Friends, with all the things going on in my world, I’ve somehow managed to miss the Spotlight & Giveaway drawings for February and March!

So, guess what?

We’re gonna do this thing Party Style with all three drawings this week!!

Let’s get this party started, shall we?!

Our Spring Spotlights are:

 

Gretchen Fleming: Gretchen is a Bible study teacher, women’s speaker and an active blogger and writer.

I love this sweet quote of Gretchen’s: “My passion is to follow hard after Jesus, knowing He is the treasure of a lifetime and worth every minute I commit to Him. God’s Word has been life-giving through the most trying times—a great source of strength, wisdom, and truth. It is my heartfelt desire to encourage women in their faith with the hope I have found in His Word.”

Isn’t that beautiful? If you’re not already following Gretchen, her online home can be found at GretchenFleming.com. Gretchen’s wisdom and teachings are so timely for today’s woman, and always point us back to Christ. ♥

 

Donna Reidland: Donna is a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, and Biblical counselor who loves sharing God’s truth.

I love this description Donna gives herself so much, “…But mostly I’m just a sister in Christ.” And a beautiful part of the sisterhood you are, Donna.

Y’all, as I was preparing this yesterday, I came across Donna’s testimony on her site, and—it is a must read. Such a lovely story of redemption and grace.

If you’re not already following Donna as she writes through the Bible, you can find her online home at DonnaReidland.com. ♥

 

Rachel Lee: Rachel is “on a mission to live a life of inspiration by fiercely pursuing Jesus, and encouraging others along the way” Not only is Rachel a gifted writer, she’s also a wife and mother of eight!

I knew Rachel and I would get along just fine when I read this quote of hers: “I LOVE me some Jesus! Where would I possibly be without Him? He has carried me from the time of my birth, until now. He has loved me, forgiven me, shepherded me, guided me, protected me, taught me, and nurtured me all my life. He’s my favorite, and I owe everything I am to Him.”

Rachel also hosts the #DestinationInspiration Linkup on Thursdays. If you’re not already following Rachel, you can find her online home at BeTheeInspired.com. ♥

—

If you ladies would send me your info, I’ll get those gifts right out to you.


As always, thank you to every single one of you who participate in this sisterhood. I’m so grateful your ministry of words have found community here.


NOTE: Please be sure to join me back here next week for a very special #ChasingCommunity announcement.


 

 

<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!
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Comments

  1. Betsy de Cruz says

    April 26, 2018 at 5:24 am

    Brenda, I appreciate your hospitality in opening up your beautiful space to all of us, friend. Thanks for highlighting these three lovely women. I love Gretchen’s site and haven’t been there in a while, and I look forward to checking out Donna and Rachel’s sites as well.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:27 am

      Betsy, I love how the internet makes Turkey just a mouse-click away. (And a time-zone or two, but…) 🙂 Thank you for being here and cheering these winning writers today. I appreciate you, friend. ♥

      Reply
  2. Liz says

    April 26, 2018 at 5:57 am

    Such fun features! These are some precious women! And I love how you share about them! You are such a wonderful encourager and connector, Brenda! Thanking God for you today! Blessings!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:29 am

      They are precious, aren’t they? God’s sure blessed the Christian writing community with some sweet sisters-in-Christ, hasn’t He? Thanks for being here and sharing in the fun, friend. Thanking God for you today as well. ♥

      Reply
  3. Kristi Woods says

    April 26, 2018 at 7:34 am

    Your sweet generosity brings a smile every time I visit here, Brenda. Congratulations to the three ladies listed above. With summer coming on stage soon, the gifts are timely.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:32 am

      Your kind words are a blessing, friend. Thank you for being here and loving on these winners today. ♥ ♥

      Reply
  4. Anita Ojeda says

    April 26, 2018 at 7:39 am

    Thank you for hosting such a lovely link up :).

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:33 am

      🙂 Thank you for being here, Anita. Hope you’re having a wonderful week. ♥

      Reply
  5. Michele Morin says

    April 26, 2018 at 9:08 am

    You know you’ve stumbled into a tight community when there are three features and as each face appears in the scrolling there’s another, “Oh! I love her!”
    Thanks, Brenda, for your role in fostering that kind of closeness among sisters and bloggers. (blogging sisters??)

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:36 am

      Blogging sisters has a nice ring to it, friend. 🙂 Thanks for being here and being such a constant in this space. You are a blessing, friend. ♥

      Reply
  6. Amy Jung says

    April 26, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Thanks for hosting and encouraging others!!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:36 am

      Thanks for being here and sharing in the fun, Amy! ♥

      Reply
  7. Meghan Weyerbacher says

    April 26, 2018 at 9:28 am

    Brenda how sweet of you, and you are so creative! Do you also sell the mason jars and notebooks?

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:39 am

      Nope, haven’t been selling them, just using them as a fun little giveaways. 🙂 I have ideas in my head for non-linkup things to sell one day, but haven’t made it so far as to get organized with that yet. #goals 🙂 Thanks for being here and sharing, friend. ♥

      Reply
  8. Gretchen Fleming says

    April 26, 2018 at 9:36 am

    Thank you so much Brenda! What a surprise when I came here today🎊🙌😆 You love others well my friend and we are blessed to know you💕 I truly value our online community of servants for Christ!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:42 am

      I truly value them too, Gretchen, and know that you are among those servants for Christ, friend. ♥ I’ve so loved connecting with you and am thankful for your friendship. So glad to feature your work in this space today. xoxo

      Reply
  9. Rachel says

    April 26, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Brenda!! I had no idea! You are so very sweet. It is an honor to be featured here this morning. Thank you for your always encouraging words- it’s what I love about you!
    I’m looking forward to your exciting announcement next week!! And can’t wait to sit on my porch with a glass of sweet tea in that darling mason jar glass! Thank you sweet sister! ❤️❤️

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:44 am

      So glad to feature you here today, Rachel. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you these last few months, and feel like I’ve known you longer. Thank you for being so generous with your kindness. ♥

      Reply
  10. Linda Stoll says

    April 26, 2018 at 10:31 am

    You’re a sweet and generous hostess, Brenda …

    ;-}

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      April 26, 2018 at 10:45 am

      You bless my heart with your kindness, friend. ♥

      Reply
  11. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    April 26, 2018 at 10:54 am

    I hope you’ve had a great final week of April! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  12. Heather Hart says

    April 26, 2018 at 12:49 pm

    How fun! I actually just found Rachel Lee’s online home today. The other two I have visited before.

    Reply
  13. Debbie Kitterman says

    April 26, 2018 at 4:01 pm

    Brenda – I love your heart for hospitality and I love reading all the women you chose to spotlight … thanks for the linkup and great fun place to be 🙂

    Reply
  14. Donna Reidland says

    April 27, 2018 at 1:58 am

    Brenda, what a sweet surprise! Congratualtions to Gretchen and Rachel, too. You are such an encourager and I look forward to your gift. Have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply

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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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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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