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.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10
The only way to make it through another day is by finding strength to depend on, a strength that is greater than your own personal strength! It does not matter how strong we are, we are still weak under the pressures and challenges of this world that we live in.
The good news is that we are not dependent upon our strength alone to make it through this day. We have the strength of the Lord waiting to assist us as we face the worst that life has to throw at us.
We have His mighty power that is ready to come flooding in and wash away the frustrations and challenges of life. Remember today: You are not in this battle alone. Your Creator is with you and He has just what you need to make it through to the blessing that He has waiting for you! G3!
“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Isaiah 40:8
I am nothing! He is everything! We get so full of ourselves and so self-impressed with our made up, manipulated and self designed pedigrees, but it does not change the reality: Without Jesus – I am nothing!
Anything good that I am – He has made me and allowed me to become! I can take no credit. Some would say: “But you had to yield!” I could not even make the choice to yield without His grace, power and goodness!
I love God and I love His Word and I am so thankful that when all else fails and I have nothing that I can count on, that His Word endures and lives powerfully forever! G3! = Give God Glory!
“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15
Happiness is not a destination but a day-by-day journey. Life is too short to not laugh. We need to learn to laugh at ourselves and instead of letting little things mess us up, we need learn what we can and move on. You can’t have a merry heart, if you are not willing to cultivate a merry heart! Real happiness begins on the inside, not the outside!
We miss out on the things that really make life special by getting distracted by the frustrations and challenges! We need to enjoy our conversations with others, instead of rushing through them. We need to take time to read and learn from what others have to say. We need to take a walk and enjoy the amazing creation that God has placed all around us! Work to grow and maintain loving relationships with family and friends – life just does not work without them!
God loves you and He wants you to be happy, at peace and filled with joy and love! Take some time today to enjoy this life that He has blessed you with and learn to laugh – you’ll be glad you did!
Michael Joe Harvell 