JMcFarland, many have asked, "Why aren't miracles verifiable?" Part of the problem is that they were never meant to be verifiable. That defeats the purpose of miracles. We are each children of God, within our current body and ego. If we look only from the physical (ego + body), then we are reasonable and see only physical continuity. This is the trap we are in. Only by becoming spirit (reawakening our true selves) can we see miracles for what they are. That reawakening can only occur if we eliminate all self-concern -- what Christ called being "First."
Your logic about not being able to "look at natural causes" is quaint and "reasonable," but misses the bigger picture. Miracles are for each of us to create, not to be spectators waiting for someone to drop a big one on us. This would be like a rescuer drawing a picture of rescue for the victim, instead of simply asking the victim to reach out their hand. The victim asking the rescuer to show them how to reach out their hand, all the while believing that such things are impossible, is the height of arrogance and stupidity.
I liken this to a scientist studying flame by pissing on the fuel before attempting to ignite it. Doubt is not the right ingredient for miracles. Skeptics won't see miracles until they stop pissing on the flame of miracles.
To paraphrase your own logic -- When you inject continuity-based, "natural" cause, you cannot genuinely look at spiritual causes and you thus erroneously eliminate the possibility that a spiritual cause is superior to the physical.
Walking on water is not an accidental effect of physical law. You cannot wait around until all the molecules line up to support 5,000 consecutive steps on the storm-tossed waves of the Sea of Galilee. Random motion does not work like that. You cannot wait for some accidental coincidence to allow for the making whole of those who were lepers only moments before. I have seen similar miracles and they transcend physical law. Nothing in quantum mechanics, atomic physics or field effect phenomena can explain such occurrences.
Faith is the proper ingredient (not strong belief -- and there's a big difference, here). A bunch of doubting scientists sitting around knowing such things are impossible is them pulling out fire hoses and watering down the entire laboratory before the fuel is ignited. Dumb!
Sniggering at someone who has experienced miracles and demanding that they prove their abilities is the doubter forcing a water hose into their hands and demanding they light the wood waterlogged by that hose. Not very logical and not very nice, either.
We are each learning. We are each growing toward that day when we can love each other as ourselves. That is the true purpose of miracles. Sullying that purpose with some sadistic side-show mentality runs counter to everything miracles are about.
I hope this helps.
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