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.

The Foundation Tabernacle Havana Seed Lancero: A Smoke Worthy of Kings, Poets, and Theologians!

There is a time for labor and a time for rest, a time to toil in the fields and a time to savor the fruit of patience. And lo, there is a time to sit in the quiet of evening, a fine cigar in hand, and reflect upon the goodness of life. Such is the moment granted by the Foundation Tabernacle Havana Seed, a cigar not merely rolled but crafted, not merely smoked but experienced.

O mighty Havana seed, nurtured in the bosom of the earth, your presence graces my hands, and I partake of thee as a man beholds the vastness of the world in a single breath. You are of the soil, the sun, the laborer’s toil, and the fire’s embrace. Your wrapper, dark as the cedars of Lebanon, gleams in the glow of lamplight. Each draw rises like incense in the temple, offering flavors of rich cocoa, espresso, and a whisper of spice that lingers like the final line of a well-loved story.

Ah, but a fine cigar is not merely about the leaf—it is about the moment it creates, the stillness it invites. This one does not rush, does not push, and does not demand. It just sits there in your fingers like an old friend telling you stories of lands far and wide, of hands that have nurtured it, of fires that have refined it. The draw is effortless, smooth and steady, with just enough kick to remind you you’re alive.

Some cigars are smoked, and some are lived. This one is worthy of a king’s wisdom, a poet’s wonder, and a theologian’s meditation. In that moment when the ember finally kisses your fingertips, you don’t mourn its passing—you simply smile, knowing you have tasted something true.

-MJHarvell (Michael Joe Harvell)

Do Something?

You ever notice how life has a way of making us think we need to do something big and flashy to make a difference? We assume if we’re not building orphanages or curing diseases, we’re just spinning our wheels. But Hebrews 13:16 offers a different perspective. It says, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Now, that doesn’t mean you have to sell everything and move to some remote village—unless you just really enjoy mosquito bites. It means that the everyday kindness you show—the way you stop to listen when someone’s having a rough day, or the way you share your time, your talents, or even a piece of your heart—those things matter.

God doesn’t weigh the size of your good deed—He weighs the heart behind it. Holding the door for someone, making that phone call you’ve been meaning to, or just sitting with someone in their sorrow—those are holy acts. When you share from your soul, whether it’s a meal, a smile, or simply your presence, you’re building something far bigger than you realize: you’re building the kingdom of God, one small sacrifice at a time.

So, don’t get caught up in trying to do something grand. Just do something good. And then do it again. Because when you do, you’ll discover that sometimes the smallest kindness makes the biggest difference.

Open The Door!

You ever had an unexpected guest show up at your door? You’re sitting there in your favorite chair, probably with your feet propped up, halfway through a good book or a football game, and then—knock, knock, knock. You glance at the door, thinking, I wasn’t expecting anybody.

Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Now, I don’t know about you, but if Jesus shows up at my door, I sure hope I’m not too distracted to let Him in.

The beauty of this verse is that Jesus doesn’t barge in. He doesn’t kick down the door or jiggle the handle. No, He knocks. Gently, patiently, He waits. It’s an invitation, not a demand. And if you’ll just open that door, He’s ready to sit down with you—not to lecture or scold—but to share a meal. To spend time. To be close.

Some folks think they’ve got to get their house spotless before they let Jesus in. They figure He won’t want to sit down if there’s some dirt in the corners. But let me tell you, Jesus doesn’t care if there’s dust on the shelves or if your life’s a bit messy. He just wants to be with you.

So, if you hear that knock today, don’t wait. Open the door. Let Him in. Because once you do, you’ll find that His presence makes even the messiest house feel like home.