{"id":2562,"date":"2025-04-18T11:59:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T15:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/04\/18\/using-your-home-field-advantage\/"},"modified":"2025-04-18T11:59:51","modified_gmt":"2025-04-18T15:59:51","slug":"using-your-home-field-advantage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/04\/18\/using-your-home-field-advantage\/","title":{"rendered":"Using your Home Field Advantage."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<pre class=\"wp-block-verse\">He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. <strong>Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God.<\/strong><br><br>John 1:11-13 NIV<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>I woke up this morning and as I began to look around and thank God for waking me up this morning, for the gift of life, and for allowing me to be in my right mind\u2026I began to repeat the words \u201ca home field advantage.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yesterday at church, Dr. Andre Rogers was our Guest Speaker who delivered the message for Maundy Thursday service and He led us in Holy communion. The words home field advantage was repeated over 10 times. I understand that Dr. Rogers is a professor and all I can say is if I took his class I know I would remember things from for the test because he is a teaching Pastor. <em>Some folks might get tired of the repetition, but I thought it was a brilliant way to walk us through the Bible using the Book of John so descriptively and giving us something relatable by using a sports analogy. I mean who can\u2019t relate to football, baseball, or basketball?! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fun fact: According to Google in sports, \u201chome field advantage\u201d (also known as \u201chome ground advantage\u201d or \u201chome court advantage\u201d) refers to the tendency for a team to perform better when playing on its own field, in its own building, or on its own court.                                                         Google goes on to say the presence of fans and even travel-related fatigue for visiting teams causes some psychological effects. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So as I sit back and I reflect over last nights message (YouTube video included below) credits belong to Amanda Porter) I think about some of the key points that were made last night in reference to Maundy Thursday: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jesus\u2019 predicts one of His disciples betrayal. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He gave a commandment that they love each other or one another as Jesus loved them. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jesus promised He would send help, the Holy Spirit <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Then Dr. Rogers mentioned what is called the High Priest Prayer. John 17 subtitles include: Jesus prays to be glorified, Jesus prays for His disciples, and Jesus prayers for all believers. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Ya\u2019ll it took me back to childhood when I used to hear my daddy say, \u201cthere is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for a friend.\u201d Little did I know at the time that was Scripture: John 15:13. Young Whitnee\u2019 would always say \u201cdaddy said this or daddy said that\u201d, but little did I know my daddy was planting God\u2019s word in my mind. So when I grew in the Word and prayed for God to give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding I would remember \u201cdaddy\u2019s words\u201d that were God\u2019s written Word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Going back to John chapter 17, I want y\u2019all to read verses 20-26. <em>It brought tears to my eyes! <\/em>It took me back to thinking about our home field advantage in John 1:12 where we were given the right (in the words of Dr. Rogers <em>the authority) <\/em>to be called Children of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I don\u2019t know about ya\u2019ll on this sacred Good Friday morning but I thank God for this home field advantage. Are you thankful this morning?! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although yesterday\u2019s focus was on Maundy Thursday, because today is Good Friday I would feel like I\u2019ve missed the mark if I didn\u2019t mention John chapters 18 and 19. My heart cries out as I sit behind my desk at work thinking about Jesus\u2019 words in John 19:28, \u201cI thirst.\u201d Scriptures says, \u201cLater, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, \u201cI am thirsty.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How many folks have you encountered (strangers if you may) that asked for something to drink? Did you deny them or did you honor their request and give them water or something else you may have had on you or could easily go purchase at the convenient store? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Verse 30 says, When he had received the drink, Jesus said, \u201cIt is finished.\u201d With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Moment of silence. Moment of  reflection. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus was pierced on His side. Prophecy was fulfilled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As go throughout our day I encourage each of you to reflect on the symbolism of Jesus\u2019 blood and His body as we gathered last night for the Lord\u2019s Supper (Eucharist), take today to mourn and reflect on Jesus\u2019 crucifixion and then on Sundays Resurrection morning I want you to rejoice with me as folks around the world celebrate Easter and remember He got up out of the grave and there was victory over sin and death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, let\u2019s be joyful over the hope and new beginnings while giving thanks to our Lord not just on Sundays (<strong><em>especially not just on Easter for those who only visit churches on this day) <\/em><\/strong>but in our daily walk on the journey called life. Friends as we pick up our crosses daily as Scripture says I\u2019ll leave you with Luke 9:23, Then he said to them all, \u201cWhoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Maundy Thursday Service\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZR_lh0LyTOY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Maundy Thursday Service at Eau Claire Baptist Church <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Things that stood out the most to me during Dr. Andre Roger\u2019s message:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cHome Field Advantage\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cPlay on my turf.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cHas the ability that gains over the winning field.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cJesus came unto His own is the greatest truth.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mark 10, Mark 1:11-12, Matthew 1:17<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cShe belongs to me!\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/04\/18\/using-your-home-field-advantage\/\" class=\"readmore\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Using your Home Field Advantage.<\/span><span class=\"fa fa-angle-double-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[236],"class_list":["post-2562","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-joy","tag-goodfriday","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1124,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/07\/16\/the-unselfish-prayer\/","url_meta":{"origin":2562,"position":0},"title":"The unselfish prayer.","author":"Whitnee","date":"July 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"In the beginning when we first found out my mom was diagnosed with cancer we did what we were taught to do; pray and trust God. In my heart I knew God didn\u2019t bring her this far to let the story of her life end just now so we can\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"#PrayerChangesThings\"","block_context":{"text":"#PrayerChangesThings","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/tag\/prayerchangesthings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_1003.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_1003.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_1003.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_1003.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_1003.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1112,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/07\/08\/we-all-have-hidden-talents-have-you-discovered-yours-7-8-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":2562,"position":1},"title":"We all have hidden talents, have you discovered yours? 7.8.2020","author":"Whitnee","date":"July 8, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"God and his kindness gave each of us different gifts. If your gift is speaking God\u2019s word, make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith. If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. If it is encouraging others,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"#SpiritualGifts\"","block_context":{"text":"#SpiritualGifts","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/tag\/spiritualgifts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0970.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0970.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0970.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0970.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0970.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/img_0970.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1413,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2021\/01\/27\/tears-are-cleansing-to-the-soul\/","url_meta":{"origin":2562,"position":2},"title":"Tears are cleansing to the soul.","author":"Whitnee","date":"January 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"As a child I thought tears were a sign of weakness; so I hid my face when I was hurt and needed to cry. I truly had the opinion \u201cbig girls don\u2019t cry.\u201d Just like the saying boys aren\u2019t supposed to cry because they will looked down on like they\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Grace &amp; Mercy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Grace &amp; Mercy","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/grace-mercy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_2210.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_2210.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_2210.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_2210.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_2210.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1889,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/05\/27\/raising-kings-and-queens\/","url_meta":{"origin":2562,"position":3},"title":"Raising Kings and Queens.","author":"Whitnee","date":"May 27, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a mother. We would read stories and fairy tales and I said I wanted 2 children- a boy and a little girl. God blessed me above and beyond my hearts desire. He blessed me with 5 sons\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Encouragement&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Encouragement","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/parenting\/encouragement\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/img_4655.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/img_4655.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/img_4655.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/img_4655.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/img_4655.png?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1082,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/06\/23\/not-another-poke-6-23-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":2562,"position":4},"title":"Not another poke. 6.23.2020","author":"Whitnee","date":"June 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Beautiful progress There are many plans in a man\u2019s heart, Nevertheless the Lord\u2019s counsel-that will standProverbs 19:21 (NKJV) Ever since my mom was in the hospital they have to prick, pry, and poke. It\u2019s kind of an oxymoron when the medical staff tell you to rest. I mean how can\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"#TrustGod\"","block_context":{"text":"#TrustGod","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/tag\/trustgod\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/img_0910.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/img_0910.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/img_0910.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/img_0910.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/img_0910.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1373,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2020\/12\/23\/ej-won\/","url_meta":{"origin":2562,"position":5},"title":"EJ Won!!!!!!!","author":"Whitnee","date":"December 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The theme of today\u2019s message is give and it shall come back to you! Not even a week ago my family and I were blessed by Faith\u2019s boldness to speak up on behalf of her children. With her speaking up I was able to feed off of her boldness and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Grace &amp; Mercy&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Grace &amp; Mercy","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/grace-mercy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/img_2031.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/img_2031.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/img_2031.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbfCFX-Fk","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2562"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2562\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}