Jim Chesser

On Saturday February 2, 2013 a dear friend, brother, and mentor, Jim Chesser, finished his earthly race. I have known Jim for 13 years.  He is one of my earthy heroes.  I had scheduled a trip on my calendar to go see him but passed just days before I made that trip.  I am sad that I didn’t get to say goodbye.  I have been processing his memory and legacy over the last several days and two scriptures that come to mind are:   

“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” - 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 11:1

            Jim was a trustworthy servant of the Lord and someone that I want to imitate.  This was evident in the fruit (John 15) he produced.   In fact if you’ve read my blogs or listen to me teach I mention John 15 a lot, one of the reasons is because that text is something that Jim often discussed with me and encouraged me to live out when we talked about Kingdom work and people. Jim was a constant student of the Word.  He was always sharing with me where he was studying in the Bible.  He would show me new things he had picked up from studying that he hadn’t picked up before.  He would always tell me the things God was continually teaching him in His word.    Jim was a professor and a minister for over 40 years and he was so humble.  He always told me he was still learning even though he had a wealth of knowledge and faith. 

The other part of that fruit was leading people to Jesus.  Jim couldn’t breathe without talking about Jesus.  As I have been processing the memory of him, I realized that Jim has his fingerprints all over the Kingdom.  The preacher that I serve with was taught the Gospel message by Jim; I was mentored by Jim when I was young in ministry and he even aided in me not leaving the ministry when I was young. I realized that numerous friends of mine in the trenches of ministry were either mentored by or lead to Jesus by Jim.  Jim understood and lived Mark 8:34-38.  Jim is someone that I want to imitate. 

Several years ago, I was able to travel with Jim on a Wednesday night for seven weeks.  It is one of my favorite times in my life.  Jim was traveling to a local congregation teaching fundamentals of faith.  He asked me if I would tag along and assist him. I was honored.  What I didn’t know is that would be a teaching time for me.  Jim shared common loves with me:  the love of faith, family, food, and FSU (Jim was the master of acrostics, acronyms, alliterations, and the like). During our rides and down times, Jim would tell me stories.  Jim had a story for EVERY situation one could think of in a church situation.  You name a church scenario, positive or negative, and Jim was in it.  Jim gave me so much wisdom in dealing with situations in ministry during these 7 weeks.  He showed me how to and how not to teach adults as well.  He taught me how to deal with angry people.  He taught me how to love the impossible to love.  He often during these 7 weeks taught me the importance of patience.  I could go on and on about those 7 weeks. 

For the last several years I would bounce a lot of my sermons off of him and he would give me more insight and help polish my messages more as well.  Jim also gave me wisdom as a husband and father too.  Jim helped me years ago to be able to talk to my son about me not being his biological father.  Jim always gave me wisdom when it came to having balance and giving my wife quality time.  Jim was one of the first people to come see my wife and I when we had Addyson and even gave my wife flowers, something she has never forgotten.  In fact, Addyson’s first gift came from Jim…a FSU football/teddy bear that she proudly displays.  Jim and I often had little meetings where we spoke about family, our faith, football and FSU, and always about food.  I will miss him.  He left his fingerprints on my life.  He is someone I need to imitate in my walk with Christ.   

As I continue to celebrate Jim, I am reminded of the Ray Boltz song “Thank You” as it speaks to the man Jim was and still is…although he liked this song he would tell me that that the sinner’s prayer lyrics need to change, which I agree, so I will change it for Jim. 

Thank You

By Ray Boltz

I dreamed I went to heaven

And you were there with me

We walked upon the streets of gold

Beside the crystal sea

We heard these angels singing

Then someone called your name

You turned and saw this young man

And he was smiling as he came

And he said friend you may not know me now

And then he said, but wait

You used to teach my Sunday School

When I was only eight

And every week you would say a prayer

Before the class would start

And one day when you prayed (Reworded for Jim)

I decided to change my heart (Reworded for Jim)

CHORUS

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am a life that was changed

Thank you for giving to the Lord

I am so glad you gave

Then another man stood before you

And said remember the time

A missionary came to your church

And his pictures made you cry

You didn't have much money

But you gave it anyway

Jesus took the gift you gave

And that's why I'm here today

One by one they came

Far as your eyes could see

Each life somehow touched

By your generosity

Little things that you had done

Sacrifices you made

They were unnoticed on the earth

In heaven now proclaimed

And I know that up in heaven

You're not supposed to cry

But I am almost sure

There were tears in your eyes

As Jesus took your hand

And you stood before the Lord

He said, my child look around you

For great is your reward

Thanks Jim, I will always love you…see you later