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.
Blogroll, Creativity, Growing, mindfulness, Personal, Uncategorized

Created For More!

We live in an amazing world, a world which is filled with happy accidents and divine happenings, intermingling to create one of a kind experiences that are almost impossible to be explained with words alone. Holding this all together is the cosmic thought that encourages each one of us in the direction of perfection. I’m not talking about the manmade, limited kind, but the God ordained supernatural stuff that can’t be explained, only experienced.

Sometimes I miss it, because my life, even though I try for it not be, becomes driven by my ego, that pesky whispering in my ear that I am what I have, what I do or what I think people think of me. I know somewhere deep in my heart that I am so much more, yet still, I engage in that never-ending battle and tend to get stuck somewhere between love and fear. I miss the magical because my self-sabotage would rather see me imprisoned and suffering in the hell I’ve created by being distracted by my own self-loathing blame which causes me to lash out to attack others and myself in a mental game of hide-and-seek.

I know I was created for more. My Spirit inside of me inspires me to look for, see and embrace the joy for which I was created, so that I might experience love and all the miracles it manifest. Everywhere I go, I see the handwriting of God, reminding me that I am not a human being, I am a spiritual being and this human experience is a gift for me, offering me the opportunity to co-create the perfection that is God in all of my everyday experiences.

This is the perfection we were created for. This is where we find our true selves. This is where we experience the fulfillment that leads to peace, which allows us to enjoy the happiness we were created for.

Blogroll, Growing, mindfulness, Personal, Uncategorized

Tired Of Being Tired?

I hear people say it all the time: “I am so tired!” We live rushed and busy lives and still at the end of the day, we have all kinds of stuff that needs to be done. Almost everyone I talk to, could use some rest. What most of us fail to realize, is that there are different kinds of rest and rest is very necessary to our doing our best…

1. Sleep! Sometimes we just need to lay down, close our eyes and forget about everything. Our body needs sleep time to rest and rejuvenate physically, mentally and spiritually. Take the steps you need to take to get ready for this time, so you can get it’s maximum benefit.

2. Home Alone! There are times when you need to be home, all by yourself with nothing to do. This gives rest to all the different areas of your life by just allowing you some time to let your guard down.

3. Vacation! Everyone needs a little time away and a good vacation allows you that. A good vacation should allow you to vacate your normal everyday living for an option that contributes to your rest and rejuvenation.

4. Art Appreciation! We need to take time to enjoy a good book, moving music or creative works of self expression. It’s an extra benefit, if we can actually take time to be involved in creating something special from our own self expression.

5. Solitude! We need time away from all the “Noise, Noise, Noise!” It is absolutely amazing how spending just 5-10 minutes sitting in silence can work wonders in our life and living. Just a few minutes of solitude allows us to do a soft reset that makes a bigger difference than you realize.

6. Outside Time! This is one of my favorites. Just taking a few moments to go into nature for a walk or just to sit on a bench, while we feel the warmth of the sun or the energy of a gentle breeze. To hear the chatter of the squirrels or the sweet songs of the birds does something that words can’t explain.

7. Take A Break! You know the old saying: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!” Everyone needs time to break away from the normal and the mundane to experience whatever else it is that life has to offer and it is amazing the difference that a small break to enjoy a hot coffee or a cool drink, with some good conversation can make in helping us to be and do our best…

Blogroll, Church, Family, Friendship, Gratitude, Growing, Ministry, Personal, Uncategorized

Why Go To Church?

I talk to people almost everyday that have given up on their struggle to find a church they are comfortable in and I have to admit that even while I’m not out there trying to find that special place, because we’ve been blessed with a very special fellowship at Grace Place, but I certainly understand the struggle. I once heard that if you find the perfect church, don’t go, because you will mess it up.

There are some great benefits in going to church, even if it’s not perfect. Below are a seven reasons why I think everyone should make and take the time to participate in church every chance you get.

1. You Have A Chance To Meet God!

2. You Might Bless Someone Or Someone Might Bless You!

3. You May Hear Something That Takes You To A Whole New Level!

4. If You Do Nothing Else, It’s A Great Time And Place To Practice Gratitude!

5. Interactions With Others Open Up All Kinds Of Possibilities!

6. It’s Possible You Might Get Inspired To Discover, Grow And Use Your Spiritual Gift.

7. It’s A Small Investment With Big Return!