Miracles: A Journalist Looks at Modern Day Experiences of God's Power

Written by Tim Stafford

Narrated by Brandon Batchelar

You believe God can still do miracles, but how do you know which stories are true? A blind man suddenly sees. A lame man gets up and walks. A little boy is raised from the dead. You believe the Biblical accounts that these miracles happened, but do you believe eyewitness reports that miracles still happen today? Between shady faith healers, weeping madonnas, and gimmicks like holy land water, it's difficult-even foolish-to believe every miracle account we hear. So how do we discount the fakes without missing out on the real miracles in the process? Award-winning journalist Tim Stafford shares captivating stories of modern-day miracles, wrestling over what is credible and what isn't. But more than that, he offers wisdom and insight to help you figure out the role miracles should play in your faith. Should you expect miracles? Ignore them? Pray for them? How active is God in the world today? And could he be more active in your own life? Learn how to explore these questions with wisdom and honesty, growing your faith and hope along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781621880455

Tim Stafford

Tim Stafford is an award-winning author of more than thirty books, and co-editor of the NIV Student Bible. He wrote many of the notes for the NIV Student Bible, especially in the Old Testament portions. His most recent books include David and David's Son; A Gift: The Story of My Life; and Those Who Seek: A Novel. Tim and his wife, Popie, have three children and live in Santa Rosa, California.

Reviews for Miracles

[Jean Wan Chen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely helpful for gaining a healthy attitude when looking at the matter of miracles - thank you! This book isn’t just an account of miracles, but much more importantly, a discussion on how to think and pray about them.

[bobhayton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Do you believe in miracles? While Christians universally answer yes, this question brings up a myriad of questions for the Church today. Many Christians are increasingly cautious of affirming miracles because of the damage done publicly by faith healers and outright shenanigans. Popular books abound recounting personal stories of being transported to heaven, seeing Jesus, talking to angels and of course, being healed. Should every such story be believed? And if we refuse to believe are we being cynical and unbelieving in our outlook?Beyond this larger question, the average Christian often has to make tricky decisions in real life scenarios. They are confronted with a claim to a miracle in the life of someone they know at work or in their church. They are pressured to come to a Pentecostal revival where they can’t help but be skeptical of the outlandish behavior and incredible conclusions made by their friends. Just how are we to think about miracles, when we pray for them on behalf of our family and friends every day? We all know God can heal, and we want his healing touch, but we just aren’t sure that we should expect it, or what to do when we think we’ve really seen it.Tim Stafford, a senior writer for Christianity Today steps into this quagmire and offers us some help in a remarkable new book titled, Miracles: A Journalist Looks at Modern-Day Experiences of God’s Power. Tim navigates this thorny problem by recounting a true story that he experienced in his church, a fairly high-brow, staid and conservative Presbyterian assembly, by his telling. A young man experienced a healing from a debilitating pain in his feet that had required crutches and a wheel chair for years. His family were understandably overjoyed at his sudden and dramatic healing experienced at another church several hours away. But they were a little disappointed that their fellow church members didn’t share all their enthusiasm.Stafford uses this story as a case in point, and interviewed the family as well as other families affected by this story from his church. Tim also draws on his travels to far-flung corners of the globe, where the miraculous may be more common. But rather than basing his conclusions on eye-witness testimony, Stafford also surveys the Old and New Testaments and the early years of church history looking for takeaways that we can apply to this perpetually difficult question. The result is a lucid and eminently readable account of his exploration. And his book is more than a page-turner. He brings sage advice, common sense, and an open spirit to the topic as well as his own honest account of disappointment and growth in this area.Stafford’s book won’t change the mind of the die-hard proponent of an extreme position on this issue. Those who see miracles around every corner will still find them, and those who hesitate to affirm the miraculous anywhere after Rev. 22, will equally be unconvinced. But for the average believer, without an axe to grind, Stafford’s treatment will be challenging and uplifting, and ultimately helpful. I was encouraged to trust in our miracle-working God more, and to see the miraculous in the ordinary means of grace that God so faithfully provides.Disclaimer: This book was provided by Bethany House. I was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.