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

Right and Left by James R. Coggins

In Mark 10, the apostles James and John came to Jesus and said, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask” (Mark 10:35 NIV). In other words, they wanted Jesus to give them an answer before they told … Continue reading

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Ungrateful Kids by James R. Coggins

“Lord,” the man prayed, “it’s these kids you gave me. They’re driving me nuts. They’ve phoned me fourteen times this week, and not once was it anything positive. They only called me to complain or to ask for something: ‘I … Continue reading

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A Man with Leprosy by James R. Coggins

Mark 1:40-45 tells an interesting story about a man with leprosy who came to Jesus and begged for healing. Jesus healed the man but then gave him a strong warning not to tell anyone about it. However, the man was … Continue reading

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What Is It about the Irish? by James R. Coggins

How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill is a somewhat older book (published in 1995) that has stayed with me. This … Continue reading

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A Day in the Life of Jesus by James R. Coggins

Mark 1:21-35 describes one day in the life of Jesus. He and his followers were in Capernaum. On the Sabbath day, He preached in the synagogue and cast a demon out of man who was present. Then they went to … Continue reading

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Black Angus: A Dramatic Dialogue by James R. Coggins

There are many black tails from the Scottish borderlands, but for shear betrayal, none can bleat the saga of Black Angus. One fine misty morning, Angus was confronted by his brother Peat, saying, “I have a bone to pick with … Continue reading

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Location, Location, Location by James R. Coggins

Mark 1:4-20 describe the ministry of John the Baptist and the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. John the Baptist preached in the desert/wilderness near the southern end of the Jordan River, where it empties into the Dead Sea. He … Continue reading

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The Significance of Cockpit Resource Management by James R. Coggins

Modern passenger airplanes are extremely safe, with overlapping safeguards (including having a pilot and co-pilot). An airplane rarely crashes due to a single problem. Usually, in an airplane crash, one or more mechanical issues are compounded by one or more … Continue reading

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The Good News by James R. Coggins

Many modern commentators deny the divinity of Jesus, arguing that He never claimed to be God. However, the book of Mark declares at the beginning, in what serves as a title, “The Beginning of the Good News about Jesus the … Continue reading

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Responding to Disasters by James R. Coggins

Late last year, southern British Columbia (where I live) experienced a massive rainstorm. We get a lot of rain here on the west coast of North America. Our weather includes onslaughts by “atmospheric rivers,” which used to be called “pineapple … Continue reading

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The Days Are Evil by James R. Coggins

Ephesians 5:15 contains a sobering statement: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” In saying, “The days are evil,” I don’t think Paul was … Continue reading

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Two Sides of the Same Coin by James R. Coggins

“Welcome to our family!” I was confused. This greeting did not come from a prospective father-in-law or any other future in-law. It came (in an email) from a representative of a charitable organization to which I had just made a … Continue reading

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Treasures Old and New by James R. Coggins

In Luke 13, Jesus had been teaching a series of parables about the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. He was talking to His followers, and He asked them,“Have you understood all these things?” When they said yes, Jesus told them … Continue reading

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Creative Writing Programs by James R. Coggins

An online discussion group raised an interesting issue for me. Is it possible to teach creative writing? There are certainly techniques all writers need to learn. But are creative writers born or made? What matters more, skill or talent? Here … Continue reading

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Whose Side? by James R. Coggins

At a morning church service, we sang a song about God being “for us.” The idea comes from Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (NIV) One of the pastors then told us to greet … Continue reading

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