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.
Creativity, Growing

Stoking The Creative Fires!

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I have been participating once a week in a creative meeting!  I am really enjoying the sessions and here are a few things that I would like to pass on to encourage creativity in all of our lives!

1.) Write your ideas down! It does not matter how simple, silly or small the ideas may seem – write them down!  You may have just a seed, but seeds that are planted and nurtured – grow into big trees!  Keep a little notebook, moleskin, digital file or small recorder to record your ideas.  Don’t think that you will remember them – you won’t!  Record it and you will free your mind up for even more creative ideas!

2.) Brainstorm! Think out loud with other people and listen to their thinking out loud.  It is amazing the ideas that this will generate.  How many times have you found yourself in a conversation with someone and something they said sent your mind to thinking in a totally different direction than what they were talking about?  Find someone, if possible several “someones” and allow your brains to storm!

3.) People Watch! Observe what is going on around you.  We miss so much, because we are often so busy that we just live life in a blur!  Slow down, smell the roses and enjoy the ride by really seeing everybody and everything that God has put around you!

4.) Relocate! If you work at a desk all of the time, then move to a couch.  If you are inside all of the time, then get outside.  You get the picture – put yourself in a place to see things from a different perspective and you will be amazed at the creativity that will flow to and through your life!

5.) Get Spiritual! You were created by a very creative God.  If you don’t believe that, just look around you at all of the variety!  You were created in the image of your creative God, so you are creative too!  Talk to God and listen to God through prayer and take some time to read and look for understanding and challenge from His Word!

These are just a few of the ideas that we have been utilizing to stoke our creative fires!  It’s fun and it’s exciting and you really will be glad you did!

Excuses, Growing

5 Excuses To Ignore!

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I was thinking this morning of all the different excuses that people use to try to stop themselves or others from accomplishing something that really matters in life.  As you journey through life listen carefully and make sure that you ignore these excuses!  (By The Way – This is a lot easier said than done!)

1.)  “It Will Never Work!” We can’t discover what will work, without learning some of what won’t work!  Failure is just one more way that won’t work, which puts you one step closer to what will work!  Take a chance if it’s worth the risk!

2.)  “We’ve Never Done It That Way Before!” And at some point in time, the way you are doing it now wasn’t being done, but someone said:  Let’s try it this way and “presto!” almost like magic a new way of doing it emerged!  There is always room for improvement and growth!

3.)  “We Can’t Afford It!” And with that attitude, we probably never will be able to afford it.  If you can’t afford it, but it is necessary, then find a way to make it affordable!  Wherever God gives a vision, He also provides a path!

4.)  “It’s Not My Responsibility!” How many blessings in life would have been missed if everyone lived with this attitude?  It may not be your responsibility, but if it needs to be done, then do it and know that it is going to make a difference in someone’s life!  If somebody is willing to do what nobody wants to do, then everybody is going to benefit!

5.)  “We’re Just Not Ready!” If you wait until you are ready, the opportunity may just pass you by!  Jump in and get the job done – you will be glad you did when you see the difference that it makes in your life and in the lives of others!  If God allows your life to intersect with opportunity then consider it a personal invitation!

Blessings & G3!

Church, Fellowship, Uncategorized

Sunday Rewind!

Today was a great day!  It should not amaze me, but it does!  Each Sunday God continues to show up at Northwood and do an amazing work!  I am excited about what God has done, but even more excited about what He is doing and I almost can’t wait to see what He is going to do in our future!  Below are a few of the highlights from this weeks new beginning!

-Kid’s Ministry had a great weekend during their “Overnighter!” and it was great seeing them sitting together this morning is worship!  Thanks to Sammy & Tyler for coming and sharing with them.  And thanks to Mr. David and all of our volunteers who helped to look out for them and helped them to have a great and memorable time!

-The Worship Team and choir did a great job leading us in worship and reminding us of the Power Of The Cross!  They plan at least a month ahead, but the music is spot-on week after week.  Thankful to have a team that listens to and obeys the leadership of the Holy Spirit!

-The message flowed freely as I had hoped and prayed for!  God continues to teach us some amazing things.  If we are getting it, then get ready, because God is going to do some incredible and amazing things through our lives!

-We really have a great opportunity to get this thing called church right.  Every now and then, I catch a glimpse of how God is building and growing this community of faith, so that we can work together to really make a difference and have an impact on this world!

-It was great seeing all of the new faces!  New people keep showing up!  Thanks to everyone who invites family, friends and co-workers.  Glad that God is bringing these folks and allowing them to experience what is so special to each one of us – a community of faith, a church called Northwood!

-I love you all and I am thankful that I get to be your Pastor!  Thanks for helping the dream that God has given us to become a reality!