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.
It has been another great Sunday! I am slap worn out, but worn out in a very good way! Looking forward to getting some good rest tonight!
Thank you so much for all of your prayers over the past couple of days. Your prayers and encouraging notes mean more to me than words can say!
I am very excited about what God is up to in my life. I am learning so much and really feel that I am experiencing some amazing personal growth. Can’t wait to see what God is going to do next! Your prayers and this journey that I am on with God has me standing in a very new, powerful and exciting place!
I want you to be able to enjoy the journey that God has for you. Do not be satisfied with the man or woman that you think you can be! Seek to become the man or woman that God knows you can be! I hope you have a good night and blessed week! G3!
A good friend is a friend that you can and do trust with anything and everything. You do not have to and you do not want to hide anything! You are willing to share it all and the sharing goes both ways!
A good friend is a friend who you are comfortable around and who is comfortable around you! It does not matter how you look, smell or sound. Mistakes are made and forgiven and life goes on regardless!
You may not realize it, but you have a good friend! Don’t take your good friend for granted. Appreciate your good friend by being a good friend back!
Mind Block! I have had so many things on my mind lately, that I have not been able to get a clear focus on what to write about on this blog. I have sat down several times to write and just gotten up without a word written and walked away with a lot of frustration from all of the distractions that are floating around in my head.
What’s My Problem? My goal in writing this blog is to try to encourage people to live in the Power Of The Spirit, which comes from being and growing in a real and right relationship with God! I think that I have a pretty worthy goal for writing, so why am I having this problem?
Could It Be? Could it be that I am concerned about some things that I don’t really need to be concerned about? Could it be that I am thinking and holding onto some things that I can do nothing about? Could it be that I need to ask for the help of some other people? Could it be that I have put some things on my plate that God never intended to be there?
You Got It! Yes it could be and it is! When I stopped and began to ask myself the above questions, I began to let go and lay aside many of the things that were distracting me and the words and thoughts began to flow! It was way past time for me to clean out the closet of my mind! Just like our clothes closets – we have things that don’t need to be there and that we need to get rid of to make room for new, better and more appropriate stuff!
What Can You Do? It may be that you are having a hard time getting focused. You may discover that you are not focusing on the things that really matter and make a difference. Take some time to take a look at everything that you have floating around in your head and heart and do a little “clutter cleaning” that will help you to get rid of the distractions! (You have to take the time and you have to be honest for this to work!) (And the best filter is God’s Word And Will!)
Right Track! Before you know it, things will be on the right track and you will find happiness and fulfillment in the moment by moment daily living of your life! And you will be glad you did!
Michael Joe Harvell 