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.

Your Last Day!

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”   Psalms 90:12

 

“Where did my day go?”  Have you ever asked yourself that question?  To get the most out of life, we have to learn to get the most out of our days!  One of the things that we tend to forget is that our life here on earth is limited.  The plain hard truth is:  We are  not going to live forever, not here on this earth, in this body!

Each one of us need to figure out what our priorities are and what they need to be!  What they are and what they need to be, may be two different things, so we may have some serious work to do!

If you knew that today was the last day of your life – how would you live it?  The reality is:  Any day could be our last day, so make everyday count!

 

What Happened To Encouragement?

Got A Compliment?

One day last week, I was giving someone a compliment and it was very awkward because they had no idea how to receive it!  As I was thinking back about the situation a little later, I realized that I am often guilty of making the moment awkward when others start to give me a compliment.

When I started thinking about why I make it so awkward, I think it’s because a lot of times people have provided their compliment with the disclaimer:  “Now don’t let this go to your head!”  To which I think:  “If you really think it’s going to go to my head, then just don’t give it!”  If you think about it – that’s like giving an insult before your provide the compliment!

Why do we do this?  I think, it’s because most of us are uncomfortable with compliments.  And when we give a compliment, we would do well to consider where it is coming from.  Is the compliment we are about to give coming from our head or heart?  Compliments should come from our heart and if they come from our heart, then most likely they will flow to the heart of the person that we are complimenting!

When I get a compliment, it does not go to my head, it just helps me to be even more thankful to God that He would be willing to use someone as messed up as me to do something worth complimenting!

Let’s start finding, giving and receiving compliments from our hearts and then everyone (the giver and the receiver) will be encouraged!

Sunday Rewind!

Today was another great Sunday at Northwood! The message was simple: We can choose to bend a knee today or be forced to bend a knee tomorrow!   We have a choice to make and making the right choice changes everything!

May our Creator help us all to make the wise choice and live the better life!