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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Intention!

As the evening settles and the world grows still, let us turn inward and ask ourselves this simple question: Did I live today with intention?

Wayne Dyer once said, “Our intention creates our reality.” Like a gentle breeze guiding the sail, intention steers the course of our lives. But it is not enough to drift—we must set the sail, open our hearts, and choose the direction. Celebrate the self by singing the songs of your own making, and to be unapologetically present in the miracle of now.

Look around and notice how all of nature lives with purpose. The rivers carve valleys with tireless resolve; the trees reach skyward, never doubting their growth and the wind blows wherever it wants to go. What would happen if we, too, embraced such quiet determination—if every step we took was toward something meaningful?

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. Intention requires action, not perfection. It’s about showing up, fumbling forward, and laughing at ourselves all throughout the journey of life.

Live today like it matters, because it does. Every thought you think, every word you speak, every act of kindness you offer—they ripple outward, touching lives you may never know.

So tonight, as your day winds down, be sure to set an intention for tomorrow. Let it be honest, let it be bold, and let it be yours. For a life lived with intention is a life worth living.

Rest well my friend and rise with purpose.

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Made For Mending!

You know, life can be a lot like my favorite pair of jeans. Over time, they pick up a few tears, a few stains, and maybe even a patch or two. But you don’t toss ’em out; you mend ’em. That’s what 2 Corinthians 5:18 reminds us—God’s in the mending business.

Paul tells us that through Christ, God has reconciled us to Himself and handed us the ministry of reconciliation. In plain talk, that means God patched up the tear between heaven and earth when Jesus went to the cross. And now, He’s given us the needle and thread to help mend the broken places in this world.

Now, I know what you’re thinking—”I’m no tailor.” But the truth is, reconciliation doesn’t take a degree; it takes a heart willing to listen, forgive, and build bridges instead of walls. Maybe it’s an old friend you haven’t spoken to in years or a family member where words turned to silence. God’s asking us to pick up the thread and start sewing.

So, don’t be afraid of the work. The Master Tailor is with you, showing you how to make things whole again. Let’s be the kind of people who don’t just notice the tears in the fabric of life but do something about it. That’s what we were made for—mending. And when you do, you’ll see that God’s grace makes the stitches stronger than the original fabric ever was.

Let’s get to mending, y’all. The world needs it.

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The Essential!

As the evening settles in and the world grows quiet, let’s take a moment to reflect on what’s truly essential in this life. It’s not the hustle and grind of the day but the still, small voice within—the soul’s whisper that reminds us who we are. It’s the connection to all things, the divine thread binding us to the earth, the sky, and to one another.

Sitting out here beneath the stars, I would say that the essential can be found in the simplicity of the wilderness—a tree swaying in the wind, a stream singing its eternal song. Maybe the essential is found in the ability to laugh at yourself and find joy in life’s absurdities. At the end of the day what’s truly essential is love—the kind you give, the kind you receive, and the kind that grows in the quiet places of your heart.

So tonight, as you lay your head down, ask yourself: Did I live true to my essence today? Did I love, laugh, and listen to the stillness? If you did, you’ve found what’s essential, and tomorrow is simply another chance to grow it.