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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Learning!

ImageI love getting to serve my Creator with my life everyday through the ministry of Grace Place.  While I love Grace Place and what we get to do there, the most valuable lesson that I have learned is that I don’t have to have a place or a position to do what I have been called to do.  The Spirit is teaching me that I can do what I have been called, gifted and equipped to do for His glory in pretty much any place and at anytime.

The key to living in this sweet spot is really pretty simple:  “LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP!”  I have been in relationship with God for a long time, and it has always been a beautiful and very meaningful thing, but in the last year, God has allowed me to travel to a new place of understanding and growth.  What used to be times with the Spirit has become time with the Spirit.  Instead of having little moments here and there, it seems more like one gigantic moment that never ends.  I never know what He is going to surprise me with next!

I learn something new almost everyday and on most days, I can chalk up most of the day as a learning experience.  While I still have to fight the battle against, activity, noise and distraction, I realize more and more fully the value of the time I have been given, the resources I have been blessed with and the amazing gifts of love, grace, mercy, peace and hope!

A few years ago, I told a friend to not pay any attention to the crowd, but to remember that her life is a performance for “an audience of one!”  And while this is very good and proper advice, I will promise you that it is a lot easier said than done, but that does not mean that we should throw in the towel and not even try, because it is in the trying that the lessons are learned and the battles are won.

The fact that you are here is evidence that you are loved.  God created you and allows you as a spiritual being to live this human experience, so that you can learn, grow and develop for the blessing of others and the glory of Himself.  I want to challenge you to stop enduring life and start enjoying it, every part!  Thanks for reading my posts and I hope they encourage you to live blessed, because it is what you were created for!

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Why Journal?

ImageThis morning, as we embark on a new year, I want to share with you a little something that makes an amazing difference in my life and that I believe can make a big difference in your life as well.  It is the art and gift of journaling.  Every since I was a teenager, I have “on and off” kept a journal.  I love the idea of a blank page and the opportunity to remind myself of some of the wisdom that the Spirit is providing in the living of life.  A journal is not necessarily a diary of your most personal and intimate thoughts, it is blank book that is filled with what life in the Spirit is teaching you.

Here are just a few of the many benefits to taking the time to keep a journal:

  • It actually helps you in your personal growth and development!
  • It provides insights into your moods and behaviors!
  • It gives you a great framework for problem-solving!
  • It is great at reducing stress!
  • It improves every area of your health – physical, mental, spiritual!
  • It grows your self esteem and sense of accomplishment!
  • It allows you to practice self expression in a safe environment!
  • It is a great tool for reflection and life processing!

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

  • Get a journal that is an expression of who you are – make it personal!
  • Pick and protect a writing instrument – the pen is your friend!
  • Write about whatever you want to, but make sure to record what life in the Spirit is teaching you!
  • Remember:  It’s not about perfection, it’s about personal expression – no right or wrong, just you!
  • Everyday – express gratitude somewhere and somehow in your journaling – this is the magic potion!
  • Write about and celebrate the success of life – you will love looking back on this!
  • Look for something to learn – there are lessons all around you!  (As you record, you will see more and more!)
  • Simple is profound!  (Your goal is not to impress, but express!)
  • Learn to listen to your inner voice and you will always have something to share!

Three To Grow On:

  1. Take your journal with you everywhere you go and don’t be afraid to pull it out and use it!
  2. Use what feels good!  If your journal and writing device is not comfortable, you won’t use it!
  3. Practice “FREE FLOW!”

I hope this little blog post will encourage you and help you to live blessed!  😉

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If I Were The Devil!

ImageMany of you that know me, know that as a boy growing up, I listened with my Dad almost everyday to Paul Harvey.  I was doing some research a few days ago for a book that I am writing and ran across one of my favorite Paul Harvey memories and thought some of my readers might enjoy it:  If I Were The Devil…

“If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.

I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — thee.

So, I would set about however necessary to take over the United States.

I’d subvert the churches first, and I would begin with a campaign of whispers.

With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.”

To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince the children that man created God instead of the other way around. I’d confide that what’s bad is good and what’s good is square.

And the old, I would teach to pray after me, “Our Father, which are in Washington …”

Then, I’d get organized, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting.

I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the devil, I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves and nations at war with themselves until each, in its turn, was consumed.

And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellect but neglect to discipline emotions. I’d tell teachers to let those students run wild.  And before you knew it, you’d have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

With a decade, I’d have prisons overflowing and judges promoting pornography. Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse and the schoolhouse and them from the houses of Congress.

In his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I’d lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.

If I were the devil, I’d take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.

What’ll you bet I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich?

I’d convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun and that what you see on television is the way to be.

And thus, I could undress you in public and lure you into bed with diseases for which there are no cures.

In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing.”