Do you believe in Miracles?

We have heard this phrase shouted from the radio of a sports event, we have been asked this by non-Christians and Christians, but have you ever REALLY stopped to think about it? I think most of us believe in "miracles" in one form or another or at least God's intervention...otherwise why would you pray if you don't believe God listens and acts?

Not long ago my believe on miracles was challenged. My stance on spiritual gifts and roles of "apostles, prophets, evangelist and teacher/pastors" was questioned. As I have thought through these things and what they mean, my 21st century American mind is quick to dismiss all such thought! "That's for stupid, uneducated people". All miracles died out in the 1st and 2nd century (at most).

Do you believe God talks to people today? I've heard people say, "then He said" or "that's when He told me" referring to God in an audible voice. Of course my response was always "that guy is crazy" or maybe he's meaning something else, b/c I do believe God speaks to us through His word.

At this point you might be wondering where I'm going with all this. Well, before you call my supporters and burn me at the stake for being a heretic let me give you something to chew on. In fact, let me give you a "brain banquet" for all you non believers! If God spoke verbally to His people or at least leaders of His people throughout ALL...A-L-L of Biblical history, would it be possible that He continues to do that to this day? If God worked miracles, broke into "our" time and space and did the extraordinary throughout ALL...A-L-L of Biblical history, could it be possible that He STILL does that even today?

With regards to God speaking to people today, many have used verses like Hebrews 1:1 and following. In the past God spoke to us through prophets, etc, but now He speaks to us through Jesus NSV (New Shawn Version). And considering miracles, many have dismissed that as a 1st century practice to "confirm the Word" as stated in Mark 16 (sorry, I'm too lazy to look up the verse and you should read it for yourself anyways:). Or it's been said, "Jesus placed His hands on them to pass on the gift and then the apostles were able to pass it on to others, but then it stopped!"

In the past I have not only "bought" those lines, but I have "sold" them as well. My question I would like to leave you with is COULD (I'm just asking is it possible, b/c I have NOT "heard" God speak or done a miracle) God STILL work in those ways? And is it possible that since we have dismissed those ways as possible, He chooses NOT to work in those ways through those who have already denied that He CAN work in those ways?