Finding God in Cannon Beach

November 23, 2014


I've been at Cannon Beach Christian Retreat center since Thursday for a week of study leave.  My goal was to finish writing a Bible study on The Book of Acts.  I had already written 11 chapters but I had 17 left to write and I just wasn't finding the time during my "normal" schedule.  I also brought three books that  I wanted to read  -  (I always bring more than I could possibly read).  And, yes of course I intended to relax a little bit, enjoy the beach, and knit.

My room is comfortable - nothing fancy.  I haven't seen or talked to anyone since I got here and there's no T.V.  It's very quiet.  I am very alone.  At first it was uncomfortable.  I always have the T.V. on and it was eerily quiet without it.  Nothing to distract me; no noise to fill the quiet.  But a peace has come over me.  Just being still and quiet has removed all the other voices, the distractions from my mind.  Instead, I hear God, and we are having conversations.

During my stay there have been strong coastal storms. I love storms. The big evergreen tree outside my window has been dancing around, whirling and bowing about.  God spoke through the sound of the huge branch beating against the balcony, saying "Nothing is stronger than I am.  I am your All-Powerful, Sustaining God."  The rain beats against the building - sometimes in a light, rhythmic sort of way that is soothing in the quiet.  Other times the rain pelts and stabs the windows and the walls and the roof and I hear God saying, "Beloved, let me wash away your worries, your fears, and your anxieties." There have been claps of thunder so loud and long-lived that it seems as if  they come from the very depths of the sea.  In the thunder, God reminds me that He is the Creator of all that was and is and is to come.  "This is my plan," God seems to say.  Leave it to me.  I am in charge.

This is my 3rd full day here.  I've written 12 chapters of the study, read most of one book, and I've done a fair amount of knitting.   Yet, I feel relaxed and whole and focused on God.  I've become comfortable in the silence, knowing that He is with me.  He always has been of course, and He always will be. I just need to take time now and then to be still.  To be quiet.  To hear His voice.


Psalm 147:1-20   
Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God;
    for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.  
The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.  
He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.  
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 
The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.  
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.  

He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. 
He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.  
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;  
     but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.  
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!   Praise your God, O Zion!  

For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.  
He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.  
He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.  
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.  
He hurls down hail like crumbs-- who can stand before his cold?  
He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.  
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel. 
He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. 
     Praise the LORD!