#IF

Beth Hildebrand

Jan 9, 2019
4 min

You, Yes You, Are Invited To Come

It’s a new year! It’s the last year of this decade. It’s the start of something new. Ladies, if you’re wanting something new and refreshing, then read on! Like many of you, I’ve watched and participated in the IF:Alamance Gatherings that have been hosted here in town, and each time I’m amazed how God moved through that event around the world, and in our community. Each time I was part of it, messages taught seemed to be just what I needed to hear, worship was authentic, a

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Beth Hildebrand

May 24, 2018
5 min

But If You Say So

It was a sunny morning as beads of sweat already starting to form on his forehead. He pulled his dusty-brown cloth over this head to help shade his face and keep the sun out of his eyes. It had been a long and unsuccessful night for the men who spent the night in a boat with the goal to fill their nets with fish to sell. Instead, they returned empty-netted. Wearily, and somewhat grumpy, the fishermen washed the slimy, green seaweed out from the nets. One of the fishermen,

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Beth Hildebrand

Feb 17, 2016
5 min

What It All Boils Down To

“All the earth will shout your praise! Our hearts cry out, these bones will sing, ‘Great are You, Lord!’” The morning after hosting IF:Alamance for the 2016 IF:Gathering, our large congregation poured out praise to God singing that song. I felt the “weightiness and substance of God’s Spirit” in my bones as Jo Saxton had described glory earlier that weekend. It felt so real. Flashbacks of the past couple of days from IF:Gathering 2016, and singing that same song Lauren Chan

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What A Blow To The Heart At The Beginning Of A New Year

Beth Hildebrand

Jan 18, 2016
4 min

What A Blow To The Heart At The Beginning Of A New Year

Everything is back usual. Holidays are over, exam season for the kiddos, back to somewhat of a routine. I’ve tried to spend some time reflecting and refocusing myself in the path I’ve traveled and where it leads in 2016. One practice I’m still disciplined to is facilitating an online Bible study. “Growing Through Prayer” is the focus of this 8 week study. Do you need growth in your prayers? I know I do. Something one of the writers of this study stated, “Prayer is the e

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Beth Hildebrand

Sep 25, 2015
7 min

A Pure And Simple Method To Live By

I’m still trying to process the experience I had last week. I’m trying to think of the best words to put on this paper, the most amazing story that will capture your attention, because I want you to have experienced the same thing that over 550 women did as we gathered to worship God, study His Word, communed with other believers, and be equipped to spread the Gospel. I sit in this chair holding an empty bowl. It’s empty for a purpose. It has a crack right through the middl

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When The Knees Hit the Ground and An Invitation

Beth Hildebrand

Sep 2, 2015
3 min

When The Knees Hit the Ground and An Invitation

It was one year ago. Twenty women in the community from different churches sat on picnic tables under a candle-lit shelter at a baseball field. It was on a cool, drizzly September evening, but it didn’t stop hands from joining, heads from bowing, words silent, whispered and called out loud to our God. They were prayers that brought glory and praise to the Creator of all things. Prayers that cried out to our Redeemer for help. Prayers that asked our Protector for protection

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How Is Life Like A Windmill? : America’s Still Beautiful

Beth Hildebrand

Aug 24, 2015
6 min

How Is Life Like A Windmill? : America’s Still Beautiful

It was almost hour number eleven in the car. The morning had started early at 6am. Since then, we had traveled through half of Arizona, all of New Mexico, and now crossed the border into Texas and had about an hour and a half left on that day’s journey. This was the first time I’d ever been to Texas, so I was looking all around in this new territory. Not long after we were in the Lone Star State, off in the distance, we noticed rows and rows of something. As we got closer,

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Have You Been Ignoring This Like I Want To?

Beth Hildebrand

Jun 22, 2015
8 min

Have You Been Ignoring This Like I Want To?

The garden is planted and new flowers are in the ground in our yard. It’s starting to get hot and since those precious little blooms are fragile in this big planet, they need some extra love and care. Love and care – that’s what I’ve needed recently because I’ve had feelings that can overwhelm me. Love and care- it’s what so many others need around the world. That’s what I was thinking when I stood at the sink in a daze as water started to fill the watering can. Things qu

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Beth Hildebrand

Apr 30, 2015
4 min

What I Learned In April

Another month passed and another busy month ahead. A lot of trips on rainy weekends to soccer games and pollen are just two of the many things that filled our calendar and noses. It’s time to look back and see what I learned this past month. 1. Chick-fil-a’s new lemonade milkshakes are light, delish and worth every penny. For Christmas gifts 3 out of 4 in our family received those funny and so creative Chick-fil-a calendars. We went to cash in April’s coupon which was t

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Beth Hildebrand

Mar 14, 2015
5 min

Winter 2015 Joys and Gratitude

So far 2015 has been not an ordinary one for me: everything thing from two weeks of snow, performances, and gatherings of all kinds. All of which I thank God for and praise Him for the abundance of gifts He gives on daily basis. More than the list below I thank God for His grace and mercy. For His sacrifice and for His love. For His Word and promises. For life. For this season of Lent as we approach His crucifixion and resurrection! As winter comes to a close next wee

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Beth Hildebrand

Feb 24, 2015
5 min

Why It’s Good To Be At A Loss Of Words

I’ve really been at a loss of words. I’ve been at a loss because I’m in awe at how God moved and spoke to the hearts of women at IF:Gathering two weeks ago. I’ve been at a loss or words because my brain had kind of been on overload before and even more after processing all that had happened. I’ve been at a loss or words because my body needed rest, and in order to do that, the day after IF:Gathering, I came down with a yucky cold, which I’m still fighting right now. Maybe I

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How Do You Think God Was Feeling At A Gathering?

Beth Hildebrand

Feb 9, 2015
3 min

How Do You Think God Was Feeling At A Gathering?

There’s still so much to process from this past weekend. Pictures and comments exploded all over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram from IF:Gathering and IF:Locals. There’s words to describe our feelings – ignite, faith, stones, marking your moment, freedom, breaking down walls, building bridges towards racial reconciliation, be bold and courageous and what is your step of faith? We’re made stronger. We feel God’s Spirit in us. We feel more united and ready take on a personal

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What It’s Like To Be At IF:Gathering at IF:Alamance

Beth Hildebrand

Feb 7, 2015
3 min

What It’s Like To Be At IF:Gathering at IF:Alamance

Over 125 women hear this girl say with a shaky voice while eyes welling up, “Where do I even begin? How in the world can I put this weekend into words that can be remotely close to describing what a holy experience this is. I do know that you are here for a reason. I do know that God’s Spirit is present and among us right here. In this time. This place.” This time and place we’ve been waiting for, praying over and planning for was finally here. There hasn’t been one day

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Beth Hildebrand

Jan 28, 2015
6 min

I Can Try To Explain

Last week my friend, Karen, and I had the opportunity to attend an Elon University InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IV) meeting on campus. My mind flooded with memories from the many IV and FCA meetings and events I went to when I was a student there at Elon…not too long ago. Boy, we learned so much that night from those students. We gnawed on Ezekiel 37 about dry bones, breath, and the Holy Spirit in a new-to-me way but even more, we learned how these kids’ hearts are o

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Six Questions Women Need To Ask Themselves Today

Beth Hildebrand

Jan 19, 2015
7 min

Six Questions Women Need To Ask Themselves Today

Last February I experienced the first ever IF:Gathering. And what is IF:Gathering you may ask? Many reading this probably already know at least a little bit if you follow me on Facebook or read some of my blog posts but now it’s less than 3 weeks away and I need to take deep breaths to calm my restless spirit. In a good way. As a refresher before I share what I’m wrestling with these days, here’s my long and short version of 2014. I found out about IF:Gathering – a first

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Beth Hildebrand

Jan 12, 2015
3 min

Are you ready to be ready?

How many times have you heard a song and know all the words and can sing along with it but haven’t really paid attention to what the words are really saying? This morning getting ready I put on Pandora for some tunes while I put on some makeup to look somewhat decent for the day and I’m singing along with Caedmon’s Call. Thankfully, with no one else in the room, I belt out a few lines but unexpectedly, I set my brush down and asked myself, “What did I just sing?”“We’re vesse

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What I Read on My Birthday : Wait and See Day 26

Beth Hildebrand

Oct 26, 2014
5 min

What I Read on My Birthday : Wait and See Day 26

The past couple of years I’ve chosen a word and verse to focus on that year. I remember this past December when I was fighting a yucky cold and feeling achy, I was on the sofa reading and these words caught my eye. “Do your best to present yourself to God as a women who is fully genuine, a worker unashamed of your mission, a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth.” Define. That’s it! Define. This year maybe I can define more cle

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What can happen in a backyard around a table

Beth Hildebrand

Sep 17, 2014
3 min

What can happen in a backyard around a table

Oh my. How sweet it is to be at a table with other women who long to be heard and eager to hear others’ stories. Women come around to the backyard not knowing exactly what to expect. There’s some hugs, there’s some small smiles and eyes seeing a place where they’re welcome. There’s a table under a maple tree filled with twinkly lights. A gentle breeze carried the smell of fresh coffee right to the nose. The lit candles floating in mason jars are sitting on an old, wooden

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Beth Hildebrand

Sep 2, 2014
4 min

I Have a New Blog and Story to Tell

Those words echoed loudly in my ears as I sat in a dim conference room. It was February 8, 2014. The only light in the room was the gray clouds on the other side of the wide glass window. There was a large table with 12 oversized, cushiony chairs that swirled around on wheels. One corner of the room had a counter with baskets full of individual snack bags and a coffee Keurig accompanied by who knows how many different flavors to choose from. Beside it was a mini fridge stas

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