Jack has said in interviews that he has always had some curiosity about paranormal phenomena. "Intriguing" is how I recall he has put it.
The Emblem stuff I've always thought could be ascribed to early childhood indoctrination; bringing up deep memories at times of crisis.
We do get an occasional miracle; Spirifiume perhaps the best example. A minor and local miracle, but a pleasant one.
Cugel's time-trip is a favorite. Not the trip itself so much, which is kind of a distraction, but the great bit about prospective deja vu when Cugel enters Pharesm's domain.