It's been a while since I've posted anything.  I'd like to say it's because I had taken a Sabbatical from chess, but I'm afraid it's just the opposite.  I guess you could say I've been on a pilgrimage of sorts to get better.  Anyway, I will try to be a better team leader and get some more stuff going on and attract some new members.  There are some that I met at a tournament recently I hope to recruit.  Thanks to Jim for nudging me to get something started again as he had asked about starting a vote chess match which is underway.  So everyone sign up.

A couple of months ago, we had a missionary friend of mine come to my home church (Maranatha Baptist Church @ www.maranathawv.com) that is with JEM (Jewish Endtime Ministries).  No, I'm not quite sure what the emphasis on endtime means, but besides that, I know that he is a missionary "to the Jews first."  I had just met him in December as we talked about my burden for New York City and his dealings with the Russian Jews there.  So, he had been invited to come to our church to do a Passover demonstration.  This was really unique.  He had gone through (in a timely fashion, as these can take about all day) a traditional Passover meal and related how there were some things that were done that the average Jew may not be able to explain.  What was unique about this was the fact that there were so many pictures of Christ in the "modern traditional Passover meal."  It reminded me of the fact that Jesus said He was the "Stone which the builders rejected" which "the same was made head of the corner."  You may know that, foundationally, the cornerstone is vital to a structure's strength.  When building the temple, the Jews had come across a rock that, because of its shape and seemingly awkwardness, was cast aside.  But apparently there had been a miscalculation in the blue prints, and they had discovered that out of all the rocks they had fashioned by hand, when they needed a cornerstone for the temple, the unhewn rock they had cast aside fit perfectly.  The Jews had cast the Messiah aside because they didn't understand how He "fit" into the scheme of things, that is the prophecies.  Of course, God allowed this to be a stumblingblock (notice the irony of block and stone) to them as part of His plan.  All who accept Christ must once have been in a state of rejection.  Otherwise, how could He save unless we were condemned? 

Are you ready for the chess correlation?  How many games have you played not realizing that a misplaced piece or odd pawn structure would become a hinderance to your opponent's check, or a protection for what would be a hanging piece?  It is hard to see how the theme in our opening will pan out in the endgame, especially with so many variables.  Sometimes our mistakes turn out to be a win.  Yes, you wish you could take back that move initially, but if you win, you wouldn't have it any other way.  It's crazy to think that one of those "random" or planned moves will turn out to be the pivoting point in an offensive attack or counterattack.  There are lots of things we don't understand about God, but He makes it fit perfectly.