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.
I use to hear the “ole times” say: “If it’s worth doing, then it’s worth doing right!” or “Do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it again!” Whatever it is that your Creator has created you to do, then jump in and give it all you’ve got, because He is worthy. Colossians 3:23 says it this way “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…” This is excellent advice and just good common sense.
Below is a video thought to help get us started – Do it for his glory and live blessed!
I am on a bit of a new journey. I started doing some meditation exercises a few months ago and this opened my mind and spirit to trying to learn new things. In fact, I have developed a hunger for learning new things and trying to take the best of some of the old things that I had learned and put them into better practice.
I had set my hand written journal aside for a while, but have picked it back up and intend on it being a continual companion on my journey. I plan to share via this blog, some of the things that I am re-learning and learning, so I hope you will join me here everyday as I share just a little of what is going on in my world. I hope that it might be an encouragement in your world.
Today, I want to take just a moment to focus on an older book and throw out a few of the principles that it teaches for us to think about and maybe try to put into practice.
The Seven Habits By Stephen Covey
The book is “The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey I actually read this book many years ago and have re-read it a couple of times. I have decided to work my way back through it again, because I do believe that it has some good direction for our spiritual, mental and physical lives.
Habits can be good or bad and this is why we need to make sure that if we have a habit that it is a productive one. Covey gives us seven habits of people who are effective in life. Here are the seven:
1. Be Proactive Rather Than Reactive!
2. Begin With The End In Mind!
3. Put First Things First!
4. Think Win/Win!
5. Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood!
6. Synergy!
7. Sharpen The Saw!
Below is a video of my talking about the seven habits – enjoy and live blessed!
I made a quick video this morning about attitude, while I was getting a little exercise. Sorry for the huffing and puffing, but I just got started back on my exercise program and it shows. Have fun and remember to keep your attitude in check…
