Category Archives: James R. Coggins

To Tell the Truth by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 7, 2024 by jrcoggins

I spent almost two decades as an editor with a denominational church magazine. I spent a few more years working with Christian newspapers. In all of those years, we were committed to telling the truth, the whole truth. We insisted … Continue reading →

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As the Oracles of God by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 31, 2024 by jrcoggins

We are perhaps disturbed by 1 Peter 4:11: “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.” We have had too much experience of men (and women) claiming divine authority for their own … Continue reading →

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I Wish I Was an English Lord by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 24, 2024 by jrcoggins

Three years ago, we moved. It was time. We had been in our previous house for almost thirty years, and we needed a new challenge. It was a time to re-evaluate—our habits, our activities, and our possessions. We gave away … Continue reading →

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The People of God by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 17, 2024 by jrcoggins

In his first letter, the apostle Peter was writing to Christians, probably both Jews and gentiles, in what is now Turkey (1 Peter 1:1). He reminded them that they were “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s … Continue reading →

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A Very Important Date by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 10, 2024 by jrcoggins

Dr. Coggins, you are a trained historian and an amateur theologian. What wisdom do you have for us today? I’m always glad to help. Here is my thought for this week. January 6 is a very important date for me, … Continue reading →

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Should “gentiles” Be Capitalized? by James R. Coggins

Posted on January 3, 2024 by jrcoggins

The Hebrew word translated “gentiles” in the Old Testament is gowy or goy. It literally means a “massing.” The same word is used to describe herds of animals or locusts. It suggests large numbers. In English, we still use terms … Continue reading →

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For the Season after Christmas by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 27, 2023 by jrcoggins

As has been my custom for the past two years, today I am filling the vacant space between Christmas and New Year’s with some of my own poetry, some of it serious and some more fun.              Father Christmas … Continue reading →

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It’s My Birthday! By James R. Coggins

Posted on December 20, 2023 by jrcoggins

This blog is being posted on my birthday. It is noteworthy that I was born so close to the winter solstice. I once asked my sister, “Did you notice that the days kept getting shorter and darker until I was … Continue reading →

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Santa Jesus by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 13, 2023 by jrcoggins

He asked Santa Claus for a puppy. When he didn’t get it, he stopped believing in Santa Claus. She prayed for a bicycle. When she didn’t get it, she stopped believing in God. When the church encourages non-Christians to believe … Continue reading →

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The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 6, 2023 by jrcoggins

In Hebrews 12:18-29, there is a fascinating contrast between two mountains: “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm…But you have come to Mount Zion, to … Continue reading →

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Give and Receive a Blessing by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 29, 2023 by jrcoggins

Several years ago, I established Mill Lake Books to help Christian authors get their books published in an affordable way. To date, this imprint has published over 30 books. One of the most recent is Fullness of Time: Devotionals, Poems, … Continue reading →

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As Foolish as Esau by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 22, 2023 by jrcoggins

Hebrews 12:16-17 (NIV) warns: “See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, … Continue reading →

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Strays by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 15, 2023 by jrcoggins

I will not name her, but she is a woman I know well. For most of her life, she has been picking up strays. Not cats. She’s allergic to them. People. The kid in school who had no other friends. … Continue reading →

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Facing Opposition by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 8, 2023 by jrcoggins

Reading Hebrews 12 recently, I was struck by one verse: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (verse 3, NIV). Writing to Christians facing persecution in the Roman Empire, … Continue reading →

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The Wars of the Maccabees by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 1, 2023 by jrcoggins

After the Jews returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon and rebuilt the temple and the city wall under Ezra and Nehemiah, there is a gap in the biblical record of about four centuries. During this time, the Jews struggled … Continue reading →

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