Category Archives: James R. Coggins

Living the Gospel by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 15, 2024 by jrcoggins

David was one of the most learned theologians I have had the privilege of knowing. He was a seminary professor and a Bible college president. He wrote a number of learned but readable books. He was a member of various … Continue reading →

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The Lines by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 8, 2024 by jrcoggins

I remember reading Psalm 16 many years ago, probably in the King James Version, and wondering what the phrase meant that “the lines” had fallen to the psalmist “in pleasant places” (Psalm 16:6). What lies behind this phrase is some … Continue reading →

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The Other John Smyth by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 1, 2024 by jrcoggins

I grew up a Baptist, and, like most other Baptists, I didn’t know much about Baptist history. That changed in university when I studied history and wrote a paper on John Smyth, the founder of the first Baptist church (see … Continue reading →

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Connected to Nature by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 24, 2024 by jrcoggins

People in Bible times had a much closer connection to nature than we do. With no electricity or lights, they could see the stars most nights. They traveled mostly on foot—and occasionally on animals—and were not insulated from weather as … Continue reading →

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Who Is John Smyth (and why does it matter)? by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 17, 2024 by jrcoggins

Most Baptists know very little about history—and care even less. In particular, most Baptist know very little about their own history. They are part of a significant denomination that has spread through many countries around the world, and they have … Continue reading →

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Self-Sacrificing Love by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 10, 2024 by jrcoggins

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus told His close followers that He was going away to somewhere where they could not follow: “I will be with you only a little longer…Where I am going, you cannot come” (John 13:33). … Continue reading →

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Too Many Deaths, Too Few Books by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 3, 2024 by jrcoggins

It’s another case of the shoemaker’s children going barefoot. Over the last few years, through my Mill Lake Books imprint, I have published over 30 books. But rarely any of my own. I have continued to write, of course. Writers … Continue reading →

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Peter’s Faith by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 27, 2024 by jrcoggins

Acts 19 tells the wonderful story of Peter, imprisoned by King Herod and facing death, being miraculously rescued by an angel. Peter followed the angel out of the prison, but “he had no idea that what the angel was doing … Continue reading →

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I Have a Website by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 20, 2024 by jrcoggins

I have a website (www.coggins.ca). It’s not new. It’s old and obsolete. Like me. I had it set up years ago as an advertising venture, hoping it might bring me writing, editing, and speaking assignments. It has. To some extent. … Continue reading →

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Broken Bread by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 13, 2024 by jrcoggins

At the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and passed it around to His followers, saying that it was a symbol of His body, which was about to be sacrificed for the sins of the world (Matthew 26:26-30). This supper was … Continue reading →

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“We’re Here to Help” by James R. Coggins

Posted on March 6, 2024 by jrcoggins

Our bank was offering a new savings account with a better interest rate than the pitiful amount our current savings account was paying (far less than the inflation rate). This new account had apparently been available for two years, but … Continue reading →

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Washing by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 28, 2024 by jrcoggins

Years ago, we were living in a big house with a diseased tree standing nearby. Every fall, tiny insects from this tree would plaster themselves all over the screens and walls of the house and stay there until they expired. … Continue reading →

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Advice to a Young Couple Facing a Crisis by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 21, 2024 by jrcoggins

As an older Christian, I offer the following suggestions to those with less experience of the trials of life. When you are facing a crisis: 1. Admit the problem, to yourself and to those you trust. Do so before a … Continue reading →

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Anxieties by James R. Coggins

Posted on February 14, 2024 by jrcoggins

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV). This verse doesn’t seem to have received much attention in recent years. It was a favorite verse in a previous generation. In our house growing … Continue reading →

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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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