Category Archives: James R. Coggins

The Spiritual Journey of John Denver by James R. Coggins

Posted on September 4, 2024 by jrcoggins

“You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply,” John Denver sang in the song “Rocky Mountain High.” What did he mean by that? Denver was an American singer and songwriter who died in a solo plane crash … Continue reading →

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Faith and Deeds by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 28, 2024 by jrcoggins

James 2:14-26 is the reason 16th-century Protestant Reformer Martin Luther dismissed the book of James as “an epistle of straw.” In this passage, James stated, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (verse 17) and … Continue reading →

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Viewer Discretion Is Advised by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 21, 2024 by jrcoggins

When you’re watching television, have you ever encountered a warning such as this: “This program contains violence, coarse language, nudity, and mature subject matter. It may not be suitable for all ages. Viewer discretion is advised”? Of course, you have. … Continue reading →

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The Royal Law by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 14, 2024 by jrcoggins

In James 2:8, the writer of that New Testament letter used a curious phrase: “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” James had been saying that Christian church … Continue reading →

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The Blessing of Seniority by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 7, 2024 by jrcoggins

As has often been said, old age is not for the faint of heart. It comes with many physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual challenges. On the other hand, I have discovered that there are some upsides. Now, I am not … Continue reading →

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James’s Social Teaching by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 31, 2024 by jrcoggins

We sometimes try to categorize Bible writers. We wonder what influenced them, where they got their ideas and biases. As I wrote in an earlier blog, James, who wrote the book of James in the New Testament, was a Jew, … Continue reading →

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Lose a Letter, Gain a Story: A Blog for the Silly Season by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 24, 2024 by jrcoggins

Some of my writer friends like to play a little game. They have discovered that if you drop a single letter from the title of a famous book, you can come up with a title for a completely different story. … Continue reading →

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Shut Up and Listen by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 17, 2024 by jrcoggins

In James 1:18-27, the apostle addresses the topic of “words.” Verse 18 (NIV) says that God “chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” There is … Continue reading →

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Remembering: The Value of Photo Albums by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 10, 2024 by jrcoggins

A while back, my wife and I sat down and went through our photo albums—fifteen of them, covering almost half a century. Several themes stood out. 1. Family. Of course. We have photos of our families of origin and the … Continue reading →

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Advice for Difficult Circumstances by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 3, 2024 by jrcoggins

James 1:2 states: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” The following passage, James 1:2-18, goes on to offer us insight for whenever we encounter “trials.” The Greek word is peirasmos, which … Continue reading →

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Multiple-Choice Quiz by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 26, 2024 by jrcoggins

1. Just recently, we had two major appliances (a microwave and a dishwasher) break down within one week. It was a significant blow to our finances. The question: How could this have happened? a. coincidence b. bad luck c. power … Continue reading →

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A Worldly Pursuit of God? By James R. Coggins

Posted on June 19, 2024 by jrcoggins

If the duty of human beings is to know God, we know we must spend much time in prayer, contemplation, and Bible study. In order to devote their full time to this pursuit, some have become monks. On the other … Continue reading →

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What Would You Do? by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 12, 2024 by jrcoggins

What would you do if you knew that the world would end tomorrow? Someone wiser and more famous than I am once responded, “I would plant a tree.” My wife and I bought a kitten. I am not saying that … Continue reading →

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James the Jewish Christian by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 5, 2024 by jrcoggins

When the apostle Paul was converted, likely only a couple of years after Jesus’ resurrection, he stayed in Damascus for a while. In Galatians 1:18-19, Paul related what happened next: “Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted … Continue reading →

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Why Amazon is a Threat to Human Rights by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 29, 2024 by jrcoggins

Among the fundamental human rights are freedom of thought and freedom of expression. The first demands the second. There is not much point in having freedom of thought if you can’t express your thoughts. Thoughts are expressed in many ways. … Continue reading →

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