Category Archives: James R. Coggins

Playing the Percentages by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 27, 2025 by jrcoggins

I have always been intrigued by athletes who claim to continually be giving “a hundred and ten percent.” When sports are your priority and you’ve suffered repeated hits to the head over the years, it’s probably no surprise that math … Continue reading →

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Thoughts and Prayers by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 20, 2025 by jrcoggins

When something bad happens, public figures often say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.” It sounds good, but do these public figures actually pray—or is it just thoughts they are sending? The reality is that … Continue reading →

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Are You Proud of Your Country? by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 13, 2025 by jrcoggins

Are you proud of your country? I am a Canadian, and this question came up in the midst of an upwelling of patriotic fervor in Canada. The fervor is a response to insults, threats, and tariffs directed at our country … Continue reading →

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Saul/Paul: What’s in a Name? by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 6, 2025 by jrcoggins

Acts 9 describes how Saul was converted from being a devout Jew who persecuted Christians to being a Christian himself. A little later, when Saul, along with Barnabas, started out on his first missionary journey, Acts 13:9 says, “Then Saul, … Continue reading →

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My Study Bible by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 30, 2025 by jrcoggins

A reader recently asked: “You frequently post a photo of a Bible on your blogs. Is that your study Bible? What Bible do you use?” The Bible usually pictured is my personal Bible, the New International Version (NIV, 1986). I … Continue reading →

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Why Don’t Christians Read Their Bibles? by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 23, 2025 by jrcoggins

Why don’t Christians read their Bibles more? In a recent sermon, our pastor offered several reasons: People are too busy. The Bible is hard to understand. Reading the Bible is sometimes boring. And so on. The pastor then offered some … Continue reading →

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How I Write by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 16, 2025 by jrcoggins

I have always written by inspiration. I don’t mean that literally, in the biblical sense. But the thing is, unless I am interested in something, unless I think I have something worth saying, I won’t make the effort to write … Continue reading →

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The Power of Faith by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 9, 2025 by jrcoggins

In Galatians 3:1-5 (NIV), the apostle Paul issued a very strongly worded rebuke to the Galatian Christians: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn … Continue reading →

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Mysteries by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 2, 2025 by jrcoggins

I write murder mysteries (and lots of other things). But, in a sense, my stories do not remain mysteries. A good murder mystery presents a murder, offers a variety of suspects (red herrings), and in the end reveals whodunit. Readers … Continue reading →

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The Just Shall Live by Faith by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 25, 2025 by jrcoggins

Most North Americans believe there is a heaven, and most North Americans believe they will go there. Why? Because they believe they are good people. Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant Reformer thought otherwise. He knew he was a sinner. Luther … Continue reading →

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Handkerchief by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 18, 2025 by jrcoggins

I am old school. I carry white handkerchiefs in my pockets. Handkerchiefs have a long and noble history. The word “kerchief” comes from the French word “couvre-chef” meaning “head covering.” Kerchiefs are square pieces of cloth used to cover the … Continue reading →

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Worship and Waste by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 11, 2025 by jrcoggins

Matthew 26:6-13 tell the story of a woman who anointed Jesus’ head with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume while he was eating in the home of a man called “Simon the Leper.” (Presumably, Simon had been healed by … Continue reading →

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A Moving and Important Story by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 4, 2025 by jrcoggins

My Mill Lake Books imprint has published over two dozen books. A recent short volume may be one of the most significant. In the Best Interest of the Child is both a moving human interest story and a socio-political treatise. … Continue reading →

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The Men Traveling with Saul by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 28, 2025 by jrcoggins

The dramatic story of the apostle Paul being confronted by Jesus on his way to Damacus (Acts 9:1-25) is well known to most Christians. I had read this story of Paul’s conversion many times, but I had never paid any … Continue reading →

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Pastor or Prophet by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 21, 2025 by jrcoggins

“You have to decide whether you want to be a pastor or a prophet,” he said, “because prophets don’t live very long.” My answer was unequivocal. “I want to be a prophet.” We had met for lunch to “talk things … Continue reading →

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