The Miracle Project: Recent Episodes
Lindsay Murphy
The Miracle Project is a podcast that shares stories of the miracles God has worked in the community of Huntsville, Alabama.
In this episode, Rica McRoy shares her personal story of a life rescued by Christ Jesus. In the midst of a multitude of hurts and struggles, some of which had lasted for nearly 28 years, Rica was finally "blessed to be at the end of her rope," because she finally had room in her heart for God the Father, His Son, Jesus, and the precious Holy Spirit. Unbeknownst to her, God quietly pursued her until she found herself sitting in the back pew of the exact church with purple doors she had married her soon-to-be ex-husband in, obviously not by any will of her own. As the words of Abram washed over her from Genesis 15:6*, 24 years of Gospel seeds that had been planted by dear friends, Ruth and Marshall Lamanac, quickly bloomed. Suddenly, in a moment, the Holy Spirit gave Rica SILENCE in her mind for the first time in her life, proving to her that the words of Genesis 15:6 were not only possible, but true. Fast forward almost 30 years and God has poured out his continual second chances on Rica and her family in many beautiful ways. One of the ways she, highlights in this episode, is through her vocation as an optometrist. Her "voca" (or "calling") as she describes remained the same even after she was saved, but her passion and purpose for it changed in the best way. Now, she and her business partner own a "business as ministry," R City Eye Care in Huntsville, Alabama. Every day, they are providing excellent eye care while also doing whatever the Lord leads in the way of helping their patients to "see" the life they have in front of them. I pray this episode blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
"Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith." Genesis 15:6*
In this episode, Anne Clift, mother of Laura Beth Barnes (S1E5) shares a compilation of miracle stories she experienced in a local, Madison, AL nursing home. These stories give hope to those who are praying for their loved ones to be shepherded into the Kingdom, and are a reminder that God is calling even those that don't know your loved ones to minister to them (John 10:28-29). Many years after Anne's ministry in the nursing home, as she was preparing to teach a lesson to her Bible study group, she asked God to help her to understand The Tree of Life referenced in Genesis 3 and Revelation 22. He delivered in a powerful way, giving her a very clear and detailed vision of what the Tree of Life offers us, and how the Tree of Life is Him and His love for us. After receiving the vision, Anne quickly wrote down what she saw and has been giving this "exercise" to those that God calls her to ever since, with the instruction to 'close your eyes and let someone read this over you.' If you listen to the episode, you will have the privilege of Anne walking you through the vision, giving you the ability to experience God and His Glory. Anne comments, "It's so important to listen to God's voice and trust Him. When He has a plan for your lift, it is all good. I remember Moses arguing with God because he didn't want to go to Egypt. I can identify with Moses...I've learned over the years to say yes the first time when He speaks, and He makes my paths straight." This is such a peaceful and powerful episode, and I pray it blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
In this episode, Tiffany Green shares the heart behind The Hummingbird Project. After losing her father to cancer, she recalls the strength and dependence upon the Lord that he exhibited throughout his journey here on earth. Out of his life is breathed Wrapped in Love, a community initiative to collect blankets for patients receiving cancer treatments at Clearview Cancer Institute in Huntsville, AL. After seeing mommy work so hard to serve others, her two sons Noah and Nigel decided that they wanted their own community initiatives and each came up with their own. Noah is now in charge of Noah's Ark, an initiative to collect toys for the children of cancer patients at CCI, and Nigel is now in charge of Out of this World, an initiative to collect books for the children of cancer patients at CCI. This family is a true picture of what suffering for the cause of Christ looks like. Using pain for purpose, taking hardships and then cultivating blessings. I pray this episode blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
In this episode, Ross Jaeger, lead pastor at Rivertree Church, discusses John chapter 5 which details a miracle story of a man healed at the Pool of Bethesda. We all are like the man…suffering from an irreversible condition (of sin). Then, Jesus enters in! Before healing the man, Jesus asks the question, "Do you want to be healed?"
It's a question we should all ponder as believers, and Ross helps to describe what Jesus is really asking, and why. Ross' discussion of this story really helped me to see more clearly Jesus' purpose for miracles, and what they mean to the calling of our lives.
When we seek miracles, are we truly seeking the greatest miracle of all? Or are we instead looking to the world to find healing apart from Jesus? If you are in Christ, you have “gotten up”, just like the man once he was healed. The old is behind you and you have the power in you to live differently from this point on.
The purpose of the healing is for holiness. To be different. Don’t make an idol out of your health or miracle. Make your life a life for pursuing Christ. The miraculous work of Jesus in our lives is never just a physical healing, but about living for God, fighting sin, embracing holiness, treasuring Christ, delighting in Him. God loves you too much to give you a healthy body and leave you with a sick soul. That's THE greatest miracle of all!
Bonus material is learning more about Ross, his testimony, his family, and how you, too, can receive this incredible gift of healing and eternal life with your Creator.
I hope this episode and this message blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
A quick trailer for Season 2!
"Hey everyone! I am so excited to announce that Season 2 of The Miracle Project will be airing one week from today! If you are not already familiar, this project is breathed out of Psalm 96:3, "publish His glorious deeds. tell everyone about the amazing things He does!"
With each podcast, we come together to share stories of miracles, testimonies, and incredible stories of the works of God in our city, Huntsville, Alabama.
The theme of this season is “Let’s Look Closer…”
God is writing so many beautiful stories around us – in people that you know in parts of the city you are familiar with, and in people you’ve never met before in parts of the city you don’t have much connection with. My prayer is to connect all areas on the map of Huntsville by coming together to celebrate the Goodness of our God.
So, each week, to help me achieve that vision, you may see me around town flying this cute little drone to hopefully create some beautiful pictures of what it looks like to take in greatness of our God and how He has worked through so many to grow our home into what it is, but also to look closer into someone’s story and heart – as He is able to do it all so faithfully and He truly holds it all together.
As I see the incredible panoramic view of Huntsville, I can only think about how our God has that panoramic view of our lives. As we can point out a location in a picture of our city, God can point out a hurt in our life that he redeemed. As we trace along to connect one part of town to the next, God can identify one event in our lives and how it will connect to a future event. I pray that seeing how God holds it all together in the midst of the pain and hurt and agony in our city, that we will receive hope that he is holding it all together in our lives, too. That he redeems with miracles of the mind, miracles of the heart, and miracles of the spirit.
There is so much to learn from our brothers and sisters right in our backdoor.
So, as we access so much content day to day, I pray that THIS is the content that our hearts begin to yearn for – the stories that the Ultimate Author is writing all around Huntsville! As you read the Bible, you begin to learn that the steady heartbeat from Genesis to Revelation is that God is faithful. I pray that as we record these stories, that we can reflect that same heartbeat…that God. Is. Faithful.
My hope is that God breathes authenticity here. There’s an invitation for my fellow Christian brothers and sisters who have zero doubts. There’s also an invitation here for skeptics curious to see what’s happening. Young, old, newly saved, not yet saved, been saved for 60 years, Huntsville native, new to Huntsville, downtown resigned, government housing, homeless, upper class, lower class, every race, every religion, every (you fill in the blank)…If you are willing to open your hearts to consider the amazing, unequivocal, life-changing miracles that are happening all around you, then you are welcome here!
“As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:20
I love you all – thanks for sharing and supporting. The more we are able to share, the more touchpoints and stories we will be able to access!
In this episode, Zach Carter, Discipleship Pastor at Rivertree Church in Huntsville, AL, discusses the book "A Simple Guide to Experiencing Miracles" by J.P. Moreland. As Season 1 of The Miracle Project comes to a close, it seems only appropriate that we reflect on each story and praise God for the miracles he performs by learning more about how and why He does it
(Part 1). As we look ahead to 2022, Zach expands on how we can increase our expectation of miracles and how that can deepen our relationship with God.
Moreland, J. P. (2021). A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles. Zondervan.
In this episode, Zach Carter, Discipleship Pastor at Rivertree Church in Huntsville, AL, discusses the book "A Simple Guide to Experiencing Miracles" by J.P. Moreland. As Season 1 of The Miracle Project comes to a close, it seems only appropriate that we reflect on each story and praise God for the miracles he performs by learning more about how and why He does it.
Moreland, J. P. (2021). A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles. Zondervan.
In this episode, Czear + Bithi Biswas share inspiring details of their service with Cru International (formerly Campus Crusades for Christ) in Dhaka, Bangledesh. In this "interview" style podcast, I ask Bithi and Czear questions pertaining to the strategies they use to share the Gospel in a country where only 0.4% of the population identifies with Christianity. In addition, they share some sweet miracle stories of heart change and belief in Christ amidst much backlash and adversity. Though this is not a “Huntsville story” — my prayer is that this DOES become a Huntsville story…a story of a community coming together to prayerfully support these people that God has lead us to.
Below is an excerpt from their Cru website: It is our great privilege to be called by God to do ministry here in Bangladesh!
My wife Paromina Bithi Biswas and I (Czear Sowmitra Biswas) are evangelists. We are doing campus ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ International. We have already witnessed God's power in so many ways as we are entered into 16th years of our ministry. God is at work in Bangladesh, and we are honored to be a small part of what He is doing.
The focus of our work is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ among college/university students. This includes sharing the Gospel to students. As you might guess, it is quite challenging to share the Gospel with students, but God is faithful. Bangladesh is a Muslim country, so our work is not easy. Most of the people here do not tolerate other religions, but God is using us to bring lost souls to Jesus Christ.
God has given us the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 says, "Then Jesus Christ came to His disciples and said, 'All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" Therefore, we are trying to be a small part of fulfilling the Great Commission in our homeland of Bangladesh.Student Life is helping to "Change the world by turning LOST students into CHRIST-Centered Laborers through our efforts on campus".
Our strategy...
WINNING lost students to Christ
BUILDING them in their faith and equipping them to be multiplying disciples
SENDING them out to impact the lives of others
Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 9:37-38, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the Harvest, therefore, to send out workers in to His harvest field." For this reason we have committed to serve the Lord in gathering His harvest here in Bangladesh.
I pray this episode blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
Billy Bell's testimony is a type of testimony is a testimony that parallels the story of the Prodigal son. Growing up in the South, we may hear of stories like these often...When one learns about Jesus and accepts Him as his or her savior at a young age, and then strays from faith in the late teenage/early 20s years, and then comes back to faith on into adulthood, often after a great struggle that required dependence on the Lord. We hear of that story often because it's our innate nature as humans...to think we can do it all on our own and that we don't need a "Savior." But, praise God, these stories typically end with the happy ending of running back into the loving arms of our beautiful Father. God promises us that when we give our lives to him (even if it's with mustard seed-sized faith at a young age), that He will "never leave us or forsake us" (Hebrews 3:15). When we stray, he orchestrates events in our lives to pursue us and draw us back to Him. Isn't that such a picture of the Gospel? These testimony stories are an amazing reminder of how much our God loves us and cherishes us. Not only does Billy gracefully tell us his story, but he inspires us with how much he has lived for Christ since the day he gave his life to Him again. God has worked in Billy's life and through his story to bring people of all ages closer to Him. Myself included. I pray this story blesses you as much as it has blessed me!
Here, at The Miracle Project, we believe that miracles are earthly glimpses of Heaven’s mercy. Miracles that God allows to happen in our lives give us an opportunity to share those stories in order to tell others about Him and The Gospel...the greatest message of all. Isn’t that such a gift He gives us? This storyteller does just that. He shares his story so that ONLY the Gospel is heard in it. That once there was death…now there is life. Once there was hopelessness…now there is nothing but hope. Once there was no direction…now there is a compass with Jesus at the Center, guiding every step. Once there was loneliness…now there is family, generations, and a ministry in our city known as Lincoln Village Ministries. Mark wants it to be known that there is no other name than the name that is Jesus, and he has dedicated his life to the idea that The Gospel is a Verb. Through his life and through Lincoln Village Ministries, God is shepherding people to Him through His people coming together to transform a neighborhood to know Him and His love. Hearing Mark’s story and the story behind Lincoln really proves that the work it is doing and had done is not done in any power but the power of The Gospel.
In this episode, Tish shares two miracle stories regarding each of her children, Faith and Matt. After being told many times to "go home and wait" in the midst of miscarriage with her daughter, Tish and her husband remained in the Lord, seeking Him for whatever He had next for them. His next was a beautiful and full life for Faith, who is now a smart and talented high schooler. Several years after Faith was born, Tish was pleasantly surprised to experience an "uneventful" pregnancy with her second child, Matt, until she was 31 weeks pregnant and was awoken in the middle of the night with an undeniable charge from the Holy Spirit to go to the hospital (despite having no known issues or symptoms at all). Thus began Part 2 of the Pouliot's miracle story as Matt had an unexpected entrance into the world, as well as an unexpected diagnosis with many implications. Yet again, Tish and Brian remained steadfast in the Lord and His promises, and they watched as God carried their son through milestone after milestone that doctors assured them would not be possible. Similar to his sister, Matt is now a bright, vibrant 13 year old. The details of this story and how God works in it will leave you awestruck at His attention to detail and ability to turn around situations that seem grim. His promises still stand, great is His faithfulness!
In this episode, Mike Chappell describes the incredible instincts of his dog, Mojo. While I know that God is the ultimate Creator over all of creation, I can be guilty of taking for granted how purposeful He is in using His Creation for the common good. This story is a beautiful reminder of how He does just that. Mojo was a beautiful representation of the love Christ has for His people. Though Mojo is no longer with us, his legacy is living on through a wonderful foundation that has been made in his memory. Listen to this episode to have your heart warmed and your mind renewed to the idea of God working miracles through animals!
If you have ever been blessed with the opportunity to meet Olivia, you can feel the gravity of her disability be completely outweighed by the joy she brings to the moment you are in. Olivia has been shown such love from her parents, Tina and Jeff, her siblings, Victoria, Preston, Abby Grace, and Samantha, her little niece and nephew, and other very special people in her life, that her ability to love in a random moment is beyond compare...it brings such joy! This word, "joy" is not just being randomly chosen, but was actually prophesied over her when her mother was only weeks pregnant, and no one knew. God wanted Tina to know from the very beginnings of her pregnancy that He was holding Olivia in the palm of His hand, and had great things for her life and the lives of the people around her. The number of medical diagnoses she's received, surgeries she's had, side effects she's had to face...it's more than any child should have to bear. But the Lord gave Olivia and her family the tools they would need to face them. Whether it was Olivia's innate determination or a miraculous medication and/or medical device that became available at just the right time, God has gently-loved and guided their family through so much. Now, at 21, Olivia's life is continuing to bring joy to those around her through a fun opportunity her mother is organizing for the adults with special needs in Huntsville. I pray you are blessed by Olivia's story!
In this episode, Laura Beth Barnes tells of a divine encounter with God while on a mission trip in Poland. In this story, she describes how He unexpectedly and miraculously spoke to her, what He conveyed to her, and how it changed her forever. Since her encounter, she feels more peace, more endurance, and more understanding of His will for her life. Materials of this world no longer hold a stake in her heart, and she even has little to no desire for more food than her body requires, resulting in losing almost 20 pounds within weeks of the encounter. She doesn't give us these details to boast; rather, she gives us these details to explain just how perfect and fulfilling His presence is, and how it radically changed her. She describes that every day she yearns for that closeness, and can't wait to experience His presence fully in eternity someday. If you are struggling with how to seek connection with God, how to find peace in the midst of the loss of a loved one, or are unsure of the fulfillment we will have in the life with Christ after we pass away from this earth, then I highly recommend you hear of this miracle that Laura Beth has to share.
In this episode, Catherine Barber shares the birth and life story of her daughter, Emma Holcomb Barber. Emma was born as a micro-preemie, at just 22 weeks 3 days gestation age. Weighing 1 lb 2 oz, measuring 10 in long, doctors assigned very low percentages to Emma’s life...but God! On the day she was born, Catherine and her husband Paul publicly declared, “We pray that God uses her life to give us even more boldness to share His power and love for the Kingdom.” God gave them that strength and boldness through 160 days of miracles in the NICU, a special homecoming for Emma in July 2020 when she met her big sister, Annie, for the first time, and a new ministry that was inspired by Emma’s story.
In this episode, Kaylynn (Hall) Cooper shares her miraculous testimony. Considering the details of her childhood and the environment she was raised in, and amidst several years of dealing with the trials of adultery, mental illness, and addiction, it would be difficult to imagine her life becoming one devoted to God... but it has. Now, she is a mother of 3 beautiful children, is happily married to the love of her life, (even though they will be the first to admit that their marriage is still not perfect, but it's theirs) she is a music teacher at a Christian school in Huntsville, a college graduate with a degree in Psychology, and she leads worship at her church. God has brought beautiful restoration to her life, and she looks back on all of the ways he pursued her through the chaos.
In this episode, Anna Caye Luttrell describes how God intricately created the family He designed for her and her husband, Josh. Their struggles include miscarriage and closed doors of adoption, but their victories include peace in obedience and a variety of "God winks" in their baby Mabel Catherine (May). Her life was chosen from the start...and now Anna Caye and Josh are witnesses to the provision and protection of our Father!
In this episode, my husband, Rob, joins me to help explain the mission and purpose of The Miracle Project. We discuss the project's "definition" of a miracle, the types of miracle stories you can expect to hear in Season 1, why miracles look different than they did in Bible times, and some of our own personal miracle stories.