Category Archives: James R. Coggins

Urgent and Important

Posted on April 22, 2020 by jrcoggins

Have you ever met people who just have to talk? If they know something, they just have to tell you? Take the other night, for instance. My wife woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Silent Saturday by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 8, 2020 by jrcoggins

April 11 this year is the Saturday before Easter. Christians have much to ponder on the day before and the day after. The Bible records many events on both days. Good Friday is the day on which Jesus was crucified. … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Letter to Leo by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 25, 2020 by jrcoggins

In the course of my historical research, I came across the following letter in the Russian Archives. Books for Today Publishing Company, 123 Fourth Avenue, New York, New York Dear Mr. Tolstoy: Thank you for submitting your book War and … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Plush and Plastic Puppies by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 11, 2020 by jrcoggins

I learn so much from my grandchildren. For instance, if it were not for my grandchildren, I would never have become acquainted with Paw Patrol. And I would not have had the opportunity to watch each episode so often that … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Twice upon a Time by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 26, 2020 by jrcoggins

The handsome prince kissed the beautiful sleeping princess, and she woke up. They got married and lived happily ever after. That was in the good old days when writers could write stories they way they should be written. Nowadays, the … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

How We Did It by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 12, 2020 by jrcoggins

A little while ago, my wife and I quietly celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary. Many friends our age and many people at our church just accepted this milestone as a normal part of married life. The week we were celebrating … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , | 5 Comments

A Darkness More Than Night by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 29, 2020 by jrcoggins

“You don’t go into the darkness without the darkness going into you,” Michael Connelly says in his novel, A Darkness More Than Night. It is one of the very interesting and highly successful murder mysteries Connelly has written. In this … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Drummers Drumming by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 15, 2020 by jrcoggins

When my daughters were teenagers and began to bring home young men, I would attempt to engage them in conversation. One day, the conversation gravitated toward music. “Are you a musician?” I asked one prospect. Yeah,” he replied. “I’m a … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Who Were the Wise Men, and Why Did They Go to Bethlehem?

Posted on January 1, 2020 by jrcoggins

Matthew 2:1-12 tells the familiar story of the “wise men” coming to worship the baby Jesus. The story forms part of Christmas celebrations every year all over the world. In fact, in traditional church calendars, the wise men have their … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Christmas Belief

Posted on December 18, 2019 by jrcoggins

It is the season when everyone in the movies and on television talks about believing—but what they really mean is pretending. Belief is about committing yourself to someone or something. Pretending is about playing games and living in a fantasy … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Finding Our Calling

Posted on December 4, 2019 by jrcoggins

I have a young grandson who is having trouble deciding what he wants to be when he grows up. He keeps encountering new occupations and changing his mind. When he started school, he decided he wanted to be a principal. … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Away from the Puck

Posted on November 20, 2019 by jrcoggins

He is a young, professional hockey player, highly valued for his ability to score goals. For this reason, he has the potential to have a long and successful career as a professional athlete. He can be a star. But this … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Living for God in a Pagan Society: What Daniel Can Teach Us

Posted on November 6, 2019 by jrcoggins

Do you ever feel confused or disappointed with what is going on in the world? Do you feel helpless before unwelcome trends in society? Do you feel pressured and isolated by what seems to be a pagan, God-defying culture all … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Handling Criticism by James R. Coggins

Posted on October 23, 2019 by jrcoggins

Anyone with a public profile, including writers, inevitably receives criticism from to time. How do we handle it? I know criticism bothers some people greatly, but I have never had a great problem with it. Some of this has to … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Fortune Cookies

Posted on October 9, 2019 by jrcoggins

Have you ever experienced opening a fortune cookie and finding a message that seemed very appropriate to your situation? A while back, I was in a Chinese restaurant. My dinner companion ate three fortune cookies and found three messages: • … Continue reading →

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment