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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Cohiba Nicaragua Cigar Review

Sittin’ on the porch with a Cohiba Nicaragua in hand, I felt like I’d wandered into a time when men wore hats and watched the world go by with a thoughtful puff of smoke. Now, I ain’t one to usually get poetic about cigars, but this one? Well, it just might change my mind.

First thing that hits ya is that rich, earthy aroma, like stepping into an old tobacco barn. You light it up, and the first draw tells you this ain’t your run-of-the-mill stogie. There’s a deep, dark flavor that grabs hold of your senses like a Southern preacher on a Sunday mornin’. It’s bold, but not too bold—kind of like the difference between a Georgia summer and the shade of an oak tree. 

As the smoke curls up into the sky, there’s a peppery kick that reminds you life’s got a little spice to it, and it should. But just when you think it’s all fire, it settles down into something smooth and creamy, like your mama’s homemade buttermilk pie. Each puff is a journey, and by the time you reach the end, you’ll swear you’ve been somewhere and back again.

Mark Twain once said, “If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go.” Well, ol’ Samuel Clemens would’ve loved to sit a spell with a Cohiba Nicaragua. It’s the kind of cigar that makes you want to spin a yarn, laugh at a good joke, and remember that life’s too short to smoke cheap cigars.

So if you’re lookin’ for a smoke that’s got depth, character, and a bit of Southern charm, light up a Cohiba Nicaragua. It’s not just a cigar—it’s a story in the making.

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No Fear!

Well, y’all, Mark 13:33 says, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Now, if that doesn’t sound like a reminder straight from Mama when company’s on the way, I don’t know what does. “Clean the house and act right,” she’d say. “You never know when folks are gonna show up.” And she wasn’t just talking about neighbors dropping by with a casserole—she meant life itself.

Life has a way of sneaking up on you, doesn’t it? Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, bam! Something unexpected comes along—a storm, a blessing, or a wake-up call. Jesus is telling us the same thing here: Stay ready. Not in some paranoid, pacing-the-floor way, but with a heart and life tuned to God.

Staying alert means living each moment with purpose. It means loving people today, forgiving folks now, and doing the good you know you ought to do. Tomorrow’s not promised, and frankly, neither is dinner tonight. So, live in such a way that if Jesus shows up this afternoon or next Thursday, you won’t have to scramble to clean up your mess.

It’s not about fear, y’all; it’s about faith. Faith that says, “Lord, I’m living like You’re coming today, and trusting You’ve got tomorrow in hand.” So, be on guard, be alert, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to leave the porch light on. You never know who—or what—might be knocking.

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Good Stories!

Let me tell y’all something about stories. Jesus was the greatest storyteller of all time, and Matthew 13:34 reminds us that He used parables to speak to the crowds.

Now, if you’re like me, you’ve probably sat on a front porch listening to your granddaddy tell stories that made you laugh, cry, and think. That’s what Jesus was doing — except His stories weren’t just to entertain; they were to open our eyes to eternal truths.

Jesus didn’t lay out cold facts and theological debates for folks who might not understand. No, He painted pictures with words, using mustard seeds, fishermen, and farmers to teach us about faith, grace, and the kingdom of heaven. Why? Because stories connect to the heart in a way nothing else can.

You see, a good story sneaks past our defenses, taps us on the shoulder, and says, “Hey, this is for you.” And Jesus’ parables do just that. They remind us to open our hearts, listen closely, and find the deeper meaning.

So, take a moment today to let His stories sink in. Don’t just skim over them. Ask yourself, “What’s the lesson here for me?” Because the storyteller of all storytellers is still speaking, and His message is as life-changing as ever.