Author Archives: jrcoggins

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About jrcoggins

James R. Coggins is a professional writer and editor based in British Columbia, Canada. He wrote his first novel in high school, but, fortunately for his later reputation as a writer, it was never published. He briefly served as a Christian magazine editor (for just over 20 years). He has written everything from scholarly and encyclopedia articles to jokes in Reader’s Digest (the jokes paid better). His six and a half published books include four John Smyth murder mysteries and one other, stand-alone novel. In his spare time, he operates Mill Lake Books, a small publishing imprint. His website is www.coggins.ca

Contemplating Divorce by James R. Coggins

My wife and I recently connected with a number of friends from years ago. We were disconcerted to discover that three of the couples we had known back then had since been divorced. These were friends whose Christian faith had … Continue reading

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Jewels and Rainbows by James R. Coggins

In Revelation 4:1-3, the apostle John describes God’s throne room in heaven: “After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet … Continue reading

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A Young Woman and a Young Man by James R. Coggins

The young woman worked in a medical clinic and was living in an apartment in the city, alone with her dog and cat. One day at coffee break, a fellow worker mentioned that her father, one of the doctors, owned … Continue reading

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Living Sacrifice by James R. Coggins

The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:1 (NIV): “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” How … Continue reading

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The Importance of 1925 by James R. Coggins

1925 was a watershed moment in North American life. At the beginning of the 20th century, there had not been a major war in Europe for a century, and there had not been a major war in North America for … Continue reading

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GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO by James R. Coggins

Do we pay enough attention to the songs we sing? One of the frequently sung Christmas carols is “Angels We Have Heard on High.” The carol is about the angels telling the shepherds to go to Bethlehem to see the … Continue reading

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Christmas Giving 2 by James R. Coggins

Historians are often very wise people. I know this because I am one. Historians are wise because they have access to far deeper reservoirs of experience. They learn from the centuries of experience of other people. As someone said, “Good … Continue reading

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Christmas Giving by James R. Coggins

Recent visits to two widely different events have left me disturbed and thoughtful. I was asked by our church to help serve dinner at a Christian street ministry. That evening, we served a simple but nutritious meal to about 150 … Continue reading

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An Ordinary Christian Speaking to Other Ordinary Christians by James R. Coggins

My mother was a godly woman. It was no accident. My parents got up early, and my father worked hard for long hours, so my mother would prepare a large breakfast for him. When he had gone to work, Mom … Continue reading

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Antiochus Epiphanes by James R. Coggins

The Jews were dragged into exile in Babylon by the armies of the Babylonian empire about 587 BC. When the Babylonian empire was overthrown by the Persian empire about 539 BC, the Persians encouraged the Jews to return to the … Continue reading

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Books Must be Written in Solitude by James R. Coggins

Books—that is, creative books and fiction—cannot be written by a committee. They spring from one person’s unified vision. Adding a second or third writer only creates confusion. This does not mean that a writer can produce a book without all … Continue reading

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And Now for Something Different by James R. Coggins

NEW BOOK! NEW BOOK! I have never been a conventional writer. My mind flies all over the place. I am sometimes known as a writer of murder mysteries. I have written four of them (Who’s Grace?, Desolation Highway, Mountaintop Drive, … Continue reading

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Praise at the Dedication of the Temple by James R. Coggins

Psalm 30 is described as “a song of David for the dedication of the temple .” It can be understood as both a personal testimonial by King David and as a corporate expression of faith for the people of God. … Continue reading

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Late Roses by James R. Coggins

We have a rose bush that produced numerous beautiful roses this summer. I cut the dead flowers off as is recommended, and new roses bloomed on the end of the cut-off stems. As we moved into autumn, I cut off … Continue reading

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Snapshots of Blessings by James R. Coggins

Recently, my wife and I took time to sit down and systematically look through our many photo albums. They chronicled our lives together for almost half a century. They were an opportunity for us to reflect on our lives. I … Continue reading

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