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.

Northwood – Great Place Because Of Great People!

Great People, At A Great Place, Serving A Great God!

 

 

The Church Is People Not A Building! This morning we had two things going on at the same time.  We had a group doing a fund-raiser for our Ladies Banquet and another group cleaning up and helping to get our Recreation Center ready for Basketball Season!  It’s events like these that always help to remind me of what a very special fellowship we have at Northwood.  It reminds me of a reality that I know, but often get distracted from.   That reality is simply this:  The church is not a building, it is people, and God has blessed Northwood with some very special people!

Church People Really Like Each Other? We actually like each other and we have fun doing things together!  Getting up early on a Saturday morning is a big deal for a lot of people, but it is not near as big a deal, when you are getting up to do life with people, who you love and appreciate!  Doing something that in no way serves you on a Saturday is not always easy, because most people live for Saturdays, so that it can be all about them, but it’s made a lot easier when you know it’s going to be fun because of the people who you get to do it with!

SHOUT OUT! I just want to give a shout out to the Lord and my spiritual family.  To the Lord, for His awesome idea of church and to my spiritual family for being so very special.  I love the community that He allows me to be a part of and I pray that He helps me not to mess it up, but build it up for His glory and everyone’s blessing!

Hope to see everyone tomorrow for a great day of blessing at the place we know as Northwood with the people that we know as Northwood!  G3!

Audio Post – Think About Your Blessings!

So many times in my life, I catch myself focusing on the wrong things, on the destructive things!  I need to shift my focus from the destructive to the constructive.  The above is a conversation that helps us to think about some of the blessings that God has given that allows us to make the shift!

I Will Save You!

Click this link before you read – http://wp.me/p64uI-tE
You are never alone!
I have warmth and light for your world!
I will raise your chin with my gentle touch and will lift
away the darkness with the illumination of My Presence!
I hear you!
Your cries have moved me!
I want you to know that I am real – experience Me!
I created your heart!
I know exactly how to put it back together!
I will fill you with Myself!
Rest, sleep, dream!
Awaken to visions of a new river of hope
that flows into and through your life!
Listen for the song of grace that I sing!
Enjoy My whisper of sweetness!
Open your eyes and see that life is full of opportunity and blessing!
I will save you!
I created you to be rescued by Me!
You will do more than survive!
You will thrive as you trust in Me!