All posts by mjharvell

Welcome, friend—I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair on the front porch of my little corner of the internet. My name is Michael Joe Harvell, and I live my life with one simple mission: to glorify God, encourage people, and leave this world a little better than I found it. I’m a husband, father, pastor, writer, Jeep enthusiast, and front-porch thinker who believes that life is best lived on purpose. I serve as pastor of Eureka Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina, where I get the joy of preaching, teaching, and walking with people through the ups and downs of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that faith isn’t just about Sunday mornings—it’s about living every single day in the presence and power of God. I’m also an author. My books—including The Grace Exchange: How Forgiven People Forgive People and The Word Works—grow out of the sermons, stories, and lessons I’ve learned on this journey. I write in a style that’s conversational, a little front-porch-rocking-chair, and full of stories, quotes, and Scripture that point us back to the goodness of God’s Word. When I’m not writing or preaching, you might find me sitting outside with my Bible and journal, cruising the backroads in my Jeep Gladiator, or sharing a meal and some laughs with the good folks God has put in my life. I love helping people find peace in their spirit, strength in their body, and encouragement in their soul. This blog is simply an extension of that mission. Here you’ll find devotions, encouragement, reflections, and practical insights for living a life of purpose, peace, and joy. So grab a cup of coffee, pull up a rocking chair, and stay awhile—I’d be honored to walk this road of faith with you.
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You Are!

Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Now that right there sounds like a mouthful of Sunday morning theology, but when you get down to it, Paul is telling us something incredibly practical—give yourself completely to God. Not just your Sunday self. Not just your best behavior self. Your whole life. Your waking up, going to work, drinking your coffee, talking to your neighbor life.

This is not about religion—it’s about relationship. God isn’t asking for performance; He’s inviting participation. He wants you, just as you are, to show up fully—mind, body, heart, and soul. He doesn’t want a burnt offering; He wants a breathing one.

So today, breathe in grace. Breathe out surrender. And offer up your life not because you have to, but because you get to. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being present. And in being present with Him, we live the life that truly honors Him.

You are the worship. You are the offering. Live like it. Love like it. And walk in mercy that makes all things new.

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Anchor In His Promise!

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” — Habakkuk 2:14

Sometimes it’s hard to see the glory of God in a world that seems more focused on headlines than holiness. But here’s the thing: just because we can’t always see it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. God is moving. He’s always been moving. And just like those waves that never stop crashing on the shore, His glory is steadily covering this world.

We get so caught up in what’s wrong, we forget Who is right. We start to believe the noise instead of the still, small voice. But Habakkuk reminds us—there’s coming a time when the knowledge of God’s glory won’t be a flicker or a whisper. It’ll be an unstoppable flood. You won’t have to search for it, strain for it, or explain it. It’ll be obvious. It’ll be everywhere.

So don’t lose hope. Don’t stop believing. The waters are rising, friend. His glory is coming in strong and sure. Just hold on and trust the tide.

Let the world do what it will. You just stay anchored in the promise.