Pressed and Prophetic

 Hello sweet ladies!

I am so excited to begin this. Before I do, this is not your typical introduction blog post. And if you haven't figured it out by now, it is not a fashion blog. However, no matter what you are here for, I promise you are welcome to stay. There is something here that if we aren't careful, we could miss it.

I ought to start with how I have a writer's heart. I have attempted many short stories, novels, autobiographies, self-help books, etc. because it is an outlet. Words have such a beautiful ability to break down or heal depending on who they are written by and the context thereof. I found that in this journey of loving to write but not knowing what, as long as I continue to write things that do not breathe Him with every word, it won't work out. But I have decided that it isn't about me and it isn't about the money which is why I won't keep you long or bore you.

The first thing I want to say is even from the beginning, I am writing from a journey of renewal. I'm fresh from the fire and yet I do not smell like smoke. When the Lord first told me to start this blog I was being pressed and taken to a new level of faith.

The Lord was forced to watch me devote myself to Him in 2018, and then backslide, justify sin, and fall flat onto what most people call, "rock bottom." I proceeded to realize there was a crack in the foundation on which I had built my faith and new life in Christ on. In 2020, I lost my childhood best friend due to my newfound relationship with God. It was one of the hardest things I had gone through in my walk and it caused Him to ask me, "How serious are you about Me?"

That day, I decided how serious I was and well, you see who I chose.

Over the past year, the Lord has done severe work where my heart is concerned.

Refined Raiment is a blog for those seeking a taking off, a turning away, and then a putting on of new clothing. Some of the things we talk about in this time together, may not be to the level of intimacy you have reached with the Lord. I do love it whenever I see people come to His feet and get born again, that is a desire of my heart, but I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't tell you that this blog is for growth. It is for reconciling with God after forming a relationship and not consecrating yourself. Our heart posture toward Him is so precious. You can not live any way you like and then go to church on Sunday like you didn't do what you just did the night before.

I mean, technically, you can but I promise you will never be satisfied. But feel free to stay because I so desire that for you. For you to feel that type of agape love. Just as equally beautiful as it is, it is hard to explain. But here I am, by the grace of God, explaining it to you.

In other news, this blog exists for many reasons and many confirmations. It birthed as a pressing thought that would not leave and just as it came, it was replaced by a lie that told me no one would read it. There is a quote by a ministry I follow and love called "All Things New Ministries", that says, "Those that are not if the spirit will not understand the things of the spirit." And those that are will find exactly what the Lord wants them to. Sometimes I feel like the Holy Spirit reads my mail because He will have someone do a life about doing something when the Lord calls you so you do not miss a divine appointment of ministering.

So, I am happy you are here, and I pray that together there will be a refining of our faith, a costly and fresh oil, and an encounter with His glory.
Your Sister, Hannah

Disclaimer: the picture is from my home church, Global Vision Bible Church, and was taken by Hailey Stalnaker.