Author Archives: jrcoggins

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

In Praise of Steeples by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 22, 2026 by jrcoggins

In the late Middle Ages, cities in Europe competed to build the tallest, most elaborate, most ornate, most beautiful cathedrals. These massive buildings pushed the limits of architectural knowledge, and some took over a century to build. They were decorated … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged cathedrals, church buildings, let your light shine, Middle Ages, steeples, underground church | Leave a comment

Colossae by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 15, 2026 by jrcoggins

I recently took time to read and think my way through the apostle Paul’s letter to the early Christians in Colossae, the Bible book we now call Colossians. Colossae was a town about a hundred miles east of Ephesus. Ephesus … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged Apostles, Colossae, Colossians, early Christians, early Chrstianity, Ephesus, the gospel, the spread of the gospel | 1 Comment

How to Become a Published Novelist by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 8, 2026 by jrcoggins

Have you ever wondered how an ordinary person becomes a published novelist? Well, I’ve got the answer for you. Actually, I’ve got 47 answers for you. For almost two decades, I’ve been privileged to be a member of an organization … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged first novel, novelists, publishing, writers, writing | 1 Comment

Down from the Cross by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 1, 2026 by jrcoggins

The Gospels report that when Jesus was crucified, “Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their head and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged crucifixion, Jesus, Muhammad, power in weakness, self-sacrifice | Leave a comment

Lame: A Short Story by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 25, 2026 by jrcoggins

Embarrassed, I fell into line. I knew what was expected of me. Looking ahead, I could see the long line snaking up the hill. Our destination at the top of the steep incline could not be seen from where I … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged offering, priest, sacrifice, unblemished, Worship | Leave a comment

Not One of His Bones Will Be Broken by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 18, 2026 by jrcoggins

The Gospel of John’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion includes this detail: “Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down” … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged broken bones, crucifixion, It is finished, Jesus, Old Testament prophecy, Passover lamb, Resurrection | Leave a comment

Whatever Happened to Great Christian Literature? By James R. Coggins

Posted on March 11, 2026 by jrcoggins

BookBub is an online service that publicizes and sells new books. Customers can sign up to receive “Readworthy” emails containing brief information on new books in various categories: mysteries, novels, nonfiction books, etc. A recent email listed “This month’s best … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged A Christmas Carol, Catherine Marshall, Charles Dickens, Christian romances, Christy, Dostoevsky, Heart of Darkness, John Grisham, Joseph Conrad, O. Henry, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Tolstoy | Leave a comment

What Does God Wear? By James R. Coggins

Posted on March 4, 2026 by jrcoggins

What does God wear? How do we see Him? God has no body. He is Spirit, not bound by the physical things He has created. Psalm 104 is a song about God’s creation of the world and the creatures in … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged Creation, Damascus road, Daniel, divine light, Moses, Revelation | Leave a comment

Communicating with Both Hands Tied behind Our Backs by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 25, 2026 by jrcoggins

Experts tell us that when we speak to one another, 55% of our meaning is expressed by body language, 38% by the tone of our voice, and only 7% by the words. Which is why the lyrics don’t matter in … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged ballet, body language, communication, lyrics, Words, work boots, writing | Leave a comment

Children in the Faith by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 18, 2026 by jrcoggins

A recent statement in church caught my attention. The pastor was talking about parents who were grieving because their children had “left the faith.” Lost children are certainly a cause for grief. But I began to ponder whether the statement … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged original sin, lost children, leaving the faith, infant baptism, godly homes, Psalm 51, born again, Christian parents | Leave a comment

A Robe by Any Other Name by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 11, 2026 by jrcoggins

It has long been an axiom of literary scholarship that “Shakespeare was unequalled in the production of iambic pentameter couplets.” This has long puzzled teachers of literature (and the unfortunate students who were forced to listen to them) because no … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged couplet, dictionary, doublet, iambic pentameter, Richard Armour, Shakespeare, singlet, spelling, William Shakespeare | Leave a comment

Salt by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 4, 2026 by jrcoggins

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His followers: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged Beatitudes, Jesus, salt as a preservative, salt of the earth, self-sacrificing love, Sermon on the Mount, thirsty for God | Leave a comment

Contemplating Divorce by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 28, 2026 by jrcoggins

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 →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged counseling, date night, Divorce, imperfect people, love, marriage | Leave a comment

Jewels and Rainbows by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 21, 2026 by jrcoggins

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 →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged God's throne, Heaven, jewels, Noah, rainbows, Revelation | Leave a comment

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

Posted on January 14, 2026 by jrcoggins

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 →