Wow! Today I got to experience something awesome! A little taste of what worshipping God in Heaven will be like. After spending an entire day at Catalyst Atlanta 2011, I am just so overwhelmed and blessed. To be in the presence of other believers..leaders, pastors…people with a desire to know God more, was just an honor. The theme of this year’s event is “Be Present“.
I got a taste of what John was talking about in 1 John 1:3,4. He was talking about fellowship with other believers..and also about how his joy would be complete when he could share his love for Jesus with everyone. There is just something AWESOME about worshipping my Savior God with thousands of other people. Diversity..lots of young adults…middle aged and some seniors..all there with something in common. Love and desire for Jesus. Pure and unashamed worship!
The music, the speakers, and the fellowship was so extremely uplifting! I was able to listen to and take notes from Francis Chan, Dave Ramsey, and Andy Stanley to name a few. There were so many more. As I sat and took it all in, I just prayed for God to help me to remember what He wanted me to remember so that I can share it with you all! You want to know something cool? These pastors, authors, speakers that shared today, are just ordinary people that have answered God’s call and have chosen to be obedient. I want to be obedient like them! Not for my glory..but because I love Him so much.
Psalm 128:1 (NIV)~ Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience with Him.
I laughed today. I sang to my Jesus today. I stood with “arms high and heart abandoned” today . I danced with the Holy Spirit ( that’s how I described it to my husband) today. Eyes closed and heart wide open at times..felt like a slow dance with my sweet Savior! I was present today.
Yes, you heard me right, slow dancing with Jesus!!!!!!! That’s the only way to describe how I felt just BEING with God. A lovely slow dance.. In love with and fully present with my Jesus.
I know this is not one of my “normal” posts. I simply wanted to share with you..my friends..a little piece of how I felt today. I can promise you all this: God is not finished with me yet…and I have lots of stuff to share with you about what I am soaking in from Catalyst!
I feel like I need to take what I have learned today and file it and soak on it..let it marinate, if you will.
Tomorrow is another full day of praising God and learning from and listening to some more of His obedient servants. Man, I am so glad that the ones I heard today were obedient to God’s call on their lives! There is so much I could share..but I am not going to tonight. I am soaking on it and letting it rest in my soul. I am being still. I am choosing to be present with God first.
I cannot WAIT to share more with you all..after the last day..tomorrow. I would like to leave you all with a challenge though..and honestly it’s a challenge for me too! Since the theme is “Be Present” & if you weren’t able to physically be there to hear about the theme, I want to challenge you to “Be Present” in whatever you are doing. In a conversation,in your time with Jesus, time with kids, time with friends or family, time with your spouse, reading a book or whatever…Be Present. You will be amazed at how things will change when you are actually present in mind and not just body.
Be blessed! I can’t wait to share what God is teaching and showing me at Catalyst 2011!!
Until Next Time,
Heather Dawkins
Hope For The Broken 
I don’t know what Catalyst is really, but it has been mentioned to me three different times now, and I will definitely be looking into it.
But my other reason for replying to your post is that hearing your account has made me remember the times when I have “slow danced with my Jesus.” It’s a beautiful thing to be completely and utterly in love with the Savior, and I wish everyone would desire to feel His love as I have at times.
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