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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Slow Down!

Isaiah 9:6 – “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Now, folks, if that verse doesn’t stir something deep down in your soul, then you might want to check your pulse. Isaiah paints a picture of hope so vivid that it ought to make the darkest night seem like a sunrise. A child is born—a son is given—not to just anybody, but to us. That’s personal. God didn’t send us a memo; He sent us His Son, wrapped in love and swaddled in promise.

His name, Isaiah says, will be called Wonderful. And you know what? Ain’t that the truth. Everything about Him leaves us in awe. He’s the Counsellor we can turn to when the world gets too heavy, the Mighty God who holds it all together, and the Everlasting Father who never leaves us orphaned. And let’s not forget the title that soothes even the most troubled heart—Prince of Peace.

This Christmas season, when the noise of life tries to drown out your joy, remember the quiet power of this verse. God gave us Jesus, the gift that keeps on giving. He’s Wonderful when life isn’t, our Counsellor when we’re lost, and our Peace when the world feels upside down.

So, slow down, take a breath, and let the Prince of Peace reign in your heart. Trust me, life’s better when He’s in charge. It’s not just good news—it’s the best news.

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Loving God, Loving Others!

You know, Jesus had a way of cutting through all the fluff and getting right down to what matters most. In Matthew 22:37-39, He summed up life in two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s it. That’s the big idea.

Now, loving God? That makes sense. After all, He’s the One who gives us air to breathe and second chances we don’t deserve. But loving people? Whew, that’s where it gets tricky. God’s perfect, but people? Not so much. Some folks will borrow your tools and never return them. Others will cut you off in traffic, then wave at you like you’re the problem. And yet, Jesus says love them anyway.

Loving God means giving Him first place in your life—trusting Him with your problems, thanking Him for your blessings, and seeking Him every single day. And loving people? That means showing grace when they don’t deserve it, forgiving even when it’s hard, and sometimes just biting your tongue when you’d rather let ’em have it.

It’s not easy, but here’s the thing: when you love like Jesus said, the world changes. Bitterness melts, relationships heal, and your heart feels lighter. So today, let’s commit to loving God with everything we’ve got and letting that love spill over to everyone we meet—even the ones who test our patience.

Because in the end, loving God and loving people isn’t just what we do. It’s who we’re called to be.