this is Seth's blog

The world is full of people, who are full of ideas, which are really theories, so the world is full of theories.  And theories are popularly expressed in numbers, by way of equation, to eliminate opinion, because if opinion is removed from the theory, then we’re really getting somewhere substantial and unbiased.  We’re really discovering how to best understand and interact with our world, at least we hope so.  The problem with all of this is that the world is full of people, who are full of opinions, and they don’t want to be proved wrong.  But even an equation is an opinion, you see. 

Instead of wasting our time being sure of everything before we wager it against another’s opinion, let’s just have a coffee together and chat awhile.  Let’s share stories and learn from experience, believing that each person has real influence.

The first memory I have of Jim isn’t from too long ago.  Back in August, during the EMI intern orientation, Jim shared an inspiring message about the work that God was doing from the beginning up until now.  The message explored the enduring loving nature of God through the Old Testament as He faithfully called His people back to Himself.  When His people didn’t believe or they had forgotten His goodness He always provided a way for them to remember.  Sometimes He used gentle mercies and sometimes severe mercies.  It doesn’t matter where you are in life, what you believe, or what you’ve done - God is pursing you relentlessly because He is the God who made you and He wants you to realize His love for you.  God’s love shines through all those who love Him and it shone brightly through Jim.

Jim spoke with passion and eloquence as he mused over the work that God is doing.  His passions fueled his leadership as CEO, envisioning God’s plan for EMI and the work that He has blessed us to be a part of.  I was listening intently, sitting in a room with a crowd of people I had only met the day before, but I didn’t feel estranged to them.  Jim’s passion was infectious and we all were on board and ready to follow our leader.  So began my semester with EMI.

I have never been as excited about engineering as I am today, after working these few short months with EMI.  The Lord has set a passion in my heart to build up the Church and I feel called to that ministry.  EMI has been a place where the work I produce falls in line with the ministry I pursue.  For that I am extremely blessed.  But amidst the joy there has also been suffering.

Jim was diagnosed with melanoma cancer last summer.  It spread rapidly to vital organs and his health declined severely these last few weeks.  This morning Jim passed away in the company of his family.  For his second family, the EMI family, we all grieve the loss of such a great man.  This is a much greater blow to the staff, who have known Jim much longer than I or any of the interns have.  I can’t express in words the hurt or struggle that the office is going through.

Jim had the heart of a shepherd.  In the few short months I’ve been here I’ve seen how he invests in every member of the EMI family.  I’m told he was always the one who approached you if you were hurting or in need.  This couldn’t be more true because when he shared with us the severity of the cancer a month ago he was the one to walk around the office and check on everyone.  He smiled and was in high spirits through his last days in the office, before thanksgiving.  

Since then he went home to be close to family.  Praise the Lord for the time, memories, and prayers that they have shared in his final days.  Now Jim has made his final journey, to his heavenly home, where no sin or pain has ever touched.  Jim has taken on his heavenly body and the Lord has given him a new name.  His identity is fully realized and he is eternally at peace.  For these things we have faith.  It is the fate of everyone who is under Christ.

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