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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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Winter always seems to rally in March here in Caro Winter always seems to rally in March here in Carolina where I live.
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Oh, how that parallels life sometimes, doesn’t it, friend?
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Weary seasons often challenge the boundaries of their timetables, refusing to surrender to brighter days.
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Dear friend, if you’re in a season that feels challenging & relentless, run to the God who holds all things together. 
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Root your hope in Him, for He will not deny your spirit its Spring.
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The creation of beautiful things is a messy, time-consuming process; don’t lose hope, my friend, your spring will come.
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So, plant your garden of dreams and longings in expectation, for our God is a trustworthy God who makes all things beautiful in their time. And there is no beauty like beauty born of burden.
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Oh, friend, no matter what you’re going through Oh, friend, no matter what you’re going through today…there is a God who is greater.
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Greater than confusion. Greater than joy. Greater than the exhaustion. Greater than the love.
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Lean into His promises. Trust His wisdom. Rest in His care. Live in His strength.
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He is faithful.
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The timeliness of God is a mystery & miracle unto The timeliness of God is a mystery & miracle unto itself…
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“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Eph. 5:2)
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Wherever you find yourself this week, friend, look around you. Notice the ones God places in your sphere.
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For, indeed, “The best use of life is love.”
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Spend it well. Use it up, pour it out, make a difference with your one life, my friend. The world needs the love you have to offer.
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And, never forget how very adored you are by your God. No thing in all of creation—past, present, or future—can ever separate you from His tender heart for you. Forever He’s the lover of your soul. 💕
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