Expect a Miracle: The Miraculous Things That Happen to Ordinary People [Mass Market Paperback]

Dan Wakefield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1998

Whether they are great- rec overy from an incurable"condition, the birth of a child-or small--a kind wordfrom a stranger, a chance encounter--wondrous eventsoccur that irrevocably a] ter the course of our lives. In thisthoughtful, straightforward book, the author of Returningbrings together the stories of people from all wall's of lifeto demonstrate that miracles do happen--every day.

Through the personal reflections of ordinary people, DanWakefield illustrates a wealth of divine experiences:miracles of healing, of recovery, of love, of creation, ofencounter, of presence. Most important, he shows LOW, bylearning to recognize and accept the possibility of themiraculous, each of us can lead more fulfilling lives gracedWith Understanding, awareness, and love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

After an introductory section that traces the conflict between miracles and science from the Gospels to modern times, novelist and popular spiritual memoirist Wakefield (Returning: A Spiritual Journey, etc.) explores miracles of healing and recovery, love and re-creation, encounter and presence. He uses stories of ordinary people (rabbis, pastors, prisoners, factory workers), recording many dramatic experiences of the miraculous. Wakefield urges us to recognize the ways in which our lives are shaped by everyday miracles?the taste of food, the love others give, etc. Indeed, according to Wakefield, the power of miracles arises out of their existence in ordinary lives and out of the openness with which people receive them. Not merely another book about the role of the supernatural in a skeptical society, Expect is a lively collection filled with honest revelations and searching questions for those seeking to experience the miraculous in everyday life.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Two years ago, contemporary writer Wakefield surprised many when he honestly and movingly recounted his spiritual reawakening in Returning: A Spiritual Journey (LJ 3/1/88). Now, he collects a variety of stories about the power of healing, presence, and recovery that miracles bring to daily life. The first chapter of his book offers an insightful look at the history and psychology of miracles. After listening to countless stories of the miraculous, Wakefield concludes that the greatest miracles are to be found in the intimate and surprising events of our everyday lives. Readers will find Wakefield a trustworthy companion on their own spiritual journeys because of his honesty in sharing his own spiritual struggles. Highly recommended.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (Mm) (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061013277
• ISBN-13: 978-0061013270
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,998,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An uplifting book about the positive things in life., October 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Expect a Miracle: The Miraculous Things That Happen to Ordianry People (Audio Cassette)

This is one of the few books I've encountered that I wanted to read or listen to as soon as I had finished. The stories show the miracles that are common and uncommon in lives of all types of people. It felt like a collection of stories from family members about their lives and part of my heritage. Our humanity connects us with more than flesh and blood. We are spiritually connected in a way that this book reveals through the sharing of a special part of peoples' lives. I'm looking forward to making my own list of miracles and seeing how long it will be.

A must read for all who wish to be inspired about the positiveness of life. We need to hear more about the good in the world and this book does that very well.

4.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring, well-written book, August 16, 2011

By 

Iona Tamsin Stewart (Odense, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Expect a Miracle: The Miraculous Things That Happen to Ordinary People (Mass Market Paperback)

In this book Wakefield explores miracles of all sorts within all religious persuasions. The book is extremely well-written.

While reading the first chapter I was on the point of giving up the book since I found it too cerebral, but it became more interesting for me as we really got into the miracles.

The chapter about Lourdes is perhaps the most memorable for me. It turned out that though miracles of physical health are few and far between, many who visit Lourdes return transformed in faith and outlook.

But there was a tale of an outstanding miracle at Knock, "the Irish Lourdes", where a lady suffering from MS who had been paralyzed from the waist down for three years experienced a wondrous instant miracle, rose from her stretcher and walked. The muscles in her legs had been wasted, but she was healed, and remained so. In the church she had been placed under a statue of our Lady of Knock, and had prayed to her not for a cure, since she knew she was going to die, but for her children, when she had heard a "whispering" voice telling her to get up.

The book contains a chapter about miracles of healing, one on miracles of recovery from alcoholism and addiction in general, and chapters on miracles of love, creating, encounter, presence and, finally, everyday miracles.

This is an absolutely inspiring, spiritual book, which will cleanse your soul (if you read it). I recommend it strongly, despite my initial reservations.