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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Three Big Ideas That Make My Life Better!

You Got It?
You Got It?

I know this week is going to be crazy busy and I am not sure that I will have any time to shoot any videos, so I am trying to get some information that I am getting from the Spirit out and up for anyone that is interested.

Today, I want to share three big ideas, that I believe will help to move your life in a more positive direction, if you will let it.  There are a few things that are constants for me, as well as a few that are becoming constants.  I wanted to share these with you, in the hopes that they might help you, as they are helping me to experience and enjoy more of this gift called life.

1.) GRATITUDE!  I am learning that it is vitally important to take time everyday to think about all that we have to be thankful for.  We tend to look at what we don’t have or focus on what is not working the way that we want it to and get distracted away from all the blessings that we have in our lives.  This is why it is so important to think about all that we have to be thankful for and express this by actually taking time to mark our gratitude in some way.  One of the ways that I do this is by logging into http:gratitudelog.com and recording at least 5 things that I am thankful for everyday!  Take some time to count your blessings – you will be glad you did!

2.) JOURNAL!  We think all kinds of thoughts, but when we actually take the time to write some of those thoughts down with pen on paper, they become more than thoughts.  Thoughts become powerful when we learn something from them and journaling helps us to turns thoughts into fuel that grows us into something better.  Get a journal and pen and make it a practice to spend a little time everyday writing and sharing about what the Spirit is teaching you as you walk through this life – you will be glad you did!

3.) SHARE!  Getting is fun, but giving is even more fun and whatever your Creator allows to flow into your life, you should allow to flow through your life.  It is this flow that brings a fulfillment that we cannot manufacture for ourselves.  Take time everyday to appreciate what you have been given in all the different areas of life by taking the time to be a giver yourself!  All the world is focused on taking, but the real joy comes when we learn to receive, so that we can share.  Give it a try – you will be glad you did!

These are just a few of the many things that the Spirit is using to teach me and grow me to an amazing place.  Life is still full of challenges, but I am loving it and looking forward to what I am growing to become.  May you continue to be blessed and may you enjoy those blessings as you journey forward!

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You Gotta Problem?

What’s Your Problem?

Do you have a problem, a problem that is bigger than you are?  We all have problems.  I am not sure that there is any such thing as a problem free life, but I do believe there is a way to do something constructive about our problems.  Rather than focusing on the problem, why not start to focus on yourself.  Rather than seeing things negatively, why not start to look at things in a positive way by focusing on growing ourselves to be the amazing creation that we were created to be?

Below is a short video that will give you a totally different way of looking at things.  Take a few moments to watch the video and learn about the step you can take to make your problems start shrinking.

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Random Acts Of Kindness!

Give It A Try!

There are small things that you and I can do that will have a big impact on our lives and in the lives of others.  These things do not have to cost you any money and will only take just a moment of time.

It really is not that hard to be kind to others and when we are kind to others, it opens up tremendous opportunity to grow, share and be blessed.  I want to encourage each of us to think about EXPRESSING KINDNESS and then do it.  If we ever start to think right, then we can begin to put into practice this amazing gift of our Creator that allows ordinary to become extraordinary.

Ephesians 4:32 says:  “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Below is a short video that gives you some ideas about this small thing that can make a big impact!