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.

A Fresh Start Every Day!

In the quiet moments of dawn, when the world begins to stir, there’s an unspoken promise woven into the fabric of creation. The sun rises, casting golden hues across the sky, a gentle reminder that each day is a new beginning. God’s faithfulness is like that sunrise—constant, renewing, and full of boundless grace.

John Muir once said, “The mountains are calling, and I must go.” This call to nature mirrors the divine invitation we receive every morning: to step into the fresh start God offers. Just as the wilderness renews the soul, God’s mercies refresh our spirits, washing away the fatigue of yesterday’s trials.

Life is full of simple joys and it is important to take the time to see the beauty in each moment. It’s in these moments that we encounter God’s faithfulness—through the laughter of a child, the rustle of leaves, or the quiet stillness of prayer. Each new day is a canvas painted with His promises, urging us to live fully, love deeply, and trust completely.

I believe in the power of transformation and I encourage each of us to shift our perspectives from the negative to the positive. God’s faithfulness invites us to do just that—to see our failures not as endings but as opportunities for growth. Each sunrise is God’s way of whispering, “Begin again.” No matter the mistakes or the hardships, His love is a constant, guiding light.

So, as you wake each day, remember that God’s faithfulness is your fresh start. Embrace it with gratitude, knowing that His mercies are new every morning. Step into the day with confidence, trusting that He walks beside you, ready to renew your spirit and fill your heart with hope. Let His faithfulness be the rhythm of your life, leading you ever forward into the beauty of a new beginning.

-MJHarvell

A Social Media Philosophy: Keeping It Positive

Many years ago, I made a decision about social media that’s guided my every post, like a lighthouse steering a ship away from rocky shores. The decision was simple but profound: if social media ever becomes negative for me, there’s no room for it in my life. That moment of clarity shaped not just how I interact online, but how I view the world around me.

You see, I believe in the power of words. Words can uplift or tear down, inspire or discourage, heal or hurt. Social media is just an extension of that power—a tool we can wield for good or ill. I chose to make my little corner of the internet a place where positivity, fun, encouragement, and motivation reign supreme. No drama, no negativity—just a space where anyone can come to feel uplifted.

I appreciate the beauty of life’s simple pleasures, and I try to bring that light-heartedness into my posts. Whether it’s a story that makes you chuckle or a thought that makes you reflect, I want to offer a smile, a bit of humor, and a reminder that life’s too short to sweat the small stuff.

From Wayne Dyer, I’ve borrowed the wisdom of intention. What we focus on grows, and I’m focused on cultivating an environment that feeds the soul. It’s about lifting people up, offering a fresh perspective, and reminding everyone that the power to change their day, their life, their world, starts from within.

I aim to be real and relatable. Life isn’t always easy, but there’s always room for hope, grace, and a little bit of laughter. I want my platforms to be a place where folks can come as they are, find a bit of encouragement, and leave feeling just a little better than when they arrived.

So here’s my commitment to you: as long as I have a platform, I’ll use it to share positivity, to remind you of your worth, and to spread a little joy. Life’s too beautiful to be weighed down by negativity, and together, we can create spaces that reflect the best of what we are and what we can be. Let’s keep it positive, fun, and inspiring—because that’s the kind of world I want to live in, and I bet you do too.

-MJHARVELL

The Beginning of Wisdom

I’ll tell you something, folks, the Good Book doesn’t taken much time getting to the point. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Now, I don’t know about you, but that verse packs more truth than Mama’s Sunday dinner packs calories.

What does it mean to fear the Lord? It’s not about trembling like you’re scared of a thunderstorm; it’s about standing in awe of the One who hung the stars and painted the sunsets. It’s about respecting Him enough to listen when He speaks and trust when He leads.

But here’s the thing—we live in a world full of know-it-alls and wannabe experts, and they’re quick to brush off anything that comes from above. The Bible calls them fools, and they might as well wear a sign that says, “I don’t need any help.” But the rest of us know better. We know we need God’s wisdom because left to our own devices, we’ll wander farther off course than a rooster in a windstorm.

When you start with a humble heart and a healthy respect for God, you’re opening the door to wisdom that lasts. So let’s quit acting like we’ve got it all figured out. Let’s start each day with this simple prayer: “Lord, teach me what I don’t know, and remind me what I need to remember.” That’s the kind of wisdom that’ll carry you through, from the good times to the tough times, and straight into eternity.

That’s the kind of wisdom worth living for.

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