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

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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The Earth, Design, and Written Records by James R. Coggins

Today I will not be presenting a new blog (which, in the chaotic lull between Christmas and New Year’s, no one will have time to read anyway). Instead, for your reading pleasure, I offer some original poems. (Yippee!) Hey, they … Continue reading

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Who is Jesus? by James R. Coggins

We sometimes look at the various announcements of Jesus’ birth and gloss over the detailed statements of who Jesus is. Luke 1:26-38 tells the story of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and telling her about the baby she would … Continue reading

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It is tough to write at Christmas by James R. Coggins

It is tough to write at Christmas. Christmas is the season of love and joy and peace. Everything that is written—a blog, a sermon, a story, a poem—must be filled with love and joy and peace. That is why we … Continue reading

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A Personal God by James R. Coggins

Luke 1:5-25 tells a story with cosmic significance. The priest Zechariah was performing temple service on behalf of all the Jewish people (and in a sense on behalf of all people). Gabriel, an angel, who stands in the presence of … Continue reading

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Writers and Editors by James R. Coggins

Writers write. Writers write because they can’t not write. They are so overflowing with ideas and stories that they just have to write them down and share them. If they don’t, they feel as if they will burst. I began … Continue reading

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Where is Jesus? by James R. Coggins

When they think about Jesus, many modern Christians picture Him walking the dusty roads of Palestine. Or they don’t think about the question of where He is at all. Early Christians were clear about where Jesus is. The apostles declared … Continue reading

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