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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Neighbors!

It's A Wonderful Day In Our Neighborhood!

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  38 This is the first and greatest commandment.  39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40

 

I love God and most of the people who I know say that they love God too!  But, if we really love God, then why are our lives not having a greater impact on our world?  We are to love God with our everything, with all that we’ve got and He promises that this kind of love will change our world!

And then there is the second part of the command where He says that we are to love others as we love ourselves!  Around a half a year ago I was grabbed by the second part of the “Great Commandment!”  The part that says “love your neighbor as yourself!”  If I really love God with all that I’ve got, then I will love my neighbor as I love myself!  I will as Mr. Rogers used to sing about “be a neighbor” by doing what a neighbor does!

When I am honest with others, myself and with God, I have to admit that I love myself much more than I love my neighbor!  It’s not that I don’t love my neighbor, I do love my neighbor and I know who my neighbor is, but the truth is:  I love myself more!

Loving God is not enough and loving my neighbor is not enough!  I need to love God with all my heart, soul and mind and I need to love my neighbor as I love myself!  This means that my life is continually changing as I grow to make this dream a reality!

Several people have asked me about how I heard God speak the vision for Grace Place?  This Scripture played a major role in my hearing from God.  Grace Place is my trying to obey and live out this Scripture!  It’s about me joining my brothers and sisters in Christ in trying to love God and man with a growing love and better love.  The whole motivation for “Giving in Grace” is to create a tangible, visible and easily understood expression of this amazing gift that God has blessed us with!

I’ve got a lot of work to do, but I am thankful to be on the journey and I am so glad that God is allowing me to have amazing new experiences everyday!  Thank you Jesus for letting me do the ministry that helps to accomplish the mission!

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“Fifty Cent!”

50 Cent!

Today I was out running some ministry errands.  I was visiting some of the apartments where we do a summer ministry called GAG NITE to share some information about some upcoming events and to confirm our summer plan dates with the apartment managers.  On my way to one of the complexes I saw a young man who I remembered being a part of our ministry in years past.  He waved and smiled big, I was driving down the road and he was walking so we went in our opposite directions without getting to talk.

When I made my way back down the road, I was looking for him, because I wanted to know what he was up to now a days.  I could not find him, so I went on with the rest of my errands and checking tasks off of my list.  A little later in the afternoon, I was sitting at my desk at Grace Place and I heard some one come in.  It was him – Kendirck!  As a kid, he would never tell us his name, he would always tell us that we could call him “Fifty Cent,” because he liked the rapper by the same name!

We grabbed a sub and a soda and spent some time this afternoon talking, riding around seeing where he lives and how he lives.  He says he made it to the 11th grade, before he dropped out.  We talked about how he could graduate, work and make something of his life.  I shared with him, why I do what I do as a pastor with the Grace Place ministry and he promised to come back, see me and even help out!

It was all a very gentle and sweet reminder to me, that we should never give up or take for granted any task or activity.  People are God’s creation and every person matters.  Our job is to love one another, serve one another and give glory to God.  I am thankful that many years ago, I met a kid nicked-name “Fifty Cent!”  I am thankful that today we talked man to man and I am hopeful that the ministry that we shared with him as a kid and the ministry that we share with him as a man will make a real difference in his life!

I know that then and now, we as a church in being faithful and obedient are bringing glory to God and I will just have to learn to trust God with the rest of it!