I hope all of you have had a good and safe Christmas and New Year.  I've been putting chess on the back burner for 2 or 3 weeks just to take a retreat and refresh.  I would like to see our team grow some this year and get more involved in team matches and vote chess.  So far, I've really only seen a couple of us vote in the vote chess.  We need some more mind power!  I believe we won one game one time.  And our team match is just underway.  Also, if anyone wants to start a discussion thread, whether it be about chess or about God, I would certainly be eager to accommodate that and contribute! 

I was thinking this morning in church as our new theme for this year is "Growing Together in Christ," our pastor pointed out that in order for our church to grow, we must each individually grow.  If we grow, our church will grow.  That is a thought I would like to carry into our team.  I want all of us to be winners, and if I can do anything to help with that I am here for you.  I am USCF rated as a class C player, but every opponent that I have played at a higher level says that I am underrated.  With that, I will be glad to help coach at no cost.  I am also an ordained evangeslist with years of ministry experience that started as a serious-minded teenager, so I am here to pray and counsel with you as well as discuss topics of the Bible that will help strengthen us. 

I know I'm way out here in secluded West Virginia, but I am tentatively planning on being in Asheville, NC, for the Land of the Sky XXIII tournament this month, the Chicago Open Memorial Day weekend, and the World Open in Philly this year if I can meet up with you to help.  Also, so far I am scheduled to preach a couple of places in northern West Virginia in Ripley and Morgantown and also in Lexington, NC this year if I can be a help and encouragement to you in chess and life. 

Spread the word, "Whoever sides with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is on the winning side."

Daniel Brenneman