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.
How I Use Facebook! Facebook gets a lot of press, both good and bad! I have heard touching stories about how it has helped people to become reunited and acquainted with one another and I have also heard stories of how it has led to infidelity and broken up marriages. Facebook just like any medium can be used for good or bad – the choice is in the hands and mind of the user!
I have made the choice to use Facebook for good. My wife is my friend and she can see who I am talking with and who is talking with me. In fact, my page is open, so that even non-friends can access my page and see the conversations that I am involved in. This open accountability helps to keep me and hopefully the people who I communicate with in protective boundaries that work for all of our good!
I like to use Face book to keep up with folks. It is nice to know what is going on in the lives of people who I don’t get to see everyday. The fact is that just because our paths don’t cross, doesn’t mean that I don’t care or I am not interested. In fact, just the opposite is true! I do care and I am interested. Facebook just makes it a little easier and more convenient.
1 Corinthians 12:26 speaking of the body of Christ says “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” Facebook helps to make this possible by helping me to be aware of who is hurting and who is rejoicing! If you are my friend on Facebook – thanks for being my friend! I am glad that I have the opportunity to know you a little better and I look forward to our friendship growing as we suffer and rejoice together!
GTD! For the past couple of months, I have been working to learn a new way of coordinating, managing and organizing my life. The system is called “Getting Things Done!” which is outlined in David Allen’s bestselling book which is called the same.
Empty Your Mind! One of the major things that GTD encourages you to do, is empty your mind. In fact, at the very beginning of the process, one of the first things that I was encouraged to do was a “mind dump!” This is where you take and record everything that you have to do – get it all out and down on paper and then you can begin to filter, organize and plan a strategy for accomplishment of your goals.
Big Benefits! This has been a very beneficial experience for me. I have learned a lot and I continue to learn new things everyday, as I continue to work the process. Being a minister, I could not help, but to make a spiritual application.
One of the things that has continually gotten me through the rough and though times of daily living is a “heart dump!” A time where I just get everything out and give it to God! I want to encourage you to take a little time today to open up your heart and share it with the God that gave it to you! You will be surprised and very pleased at the difference it will make in your life and you will be glad you did!
What one thing do you not want to do today – that if you were to make yourself do it, it would make your life better? Most of us have lots of things that we don’t want to do. I wonder what would happen in our lives, if we just sucked it up and did one of those things each and every day?
I’ve got a feeling that we would feel better about our lives and I also believe that our lives would bring greater glory to God. It really has the potential to be a win/win situation, if we will just give it a try.
Take a moment right now to think about some of the things you really do not want to do, but need to do. Now pick just one to take on and take out today. You can do this and it will make your life better.
I am trying this week – to do one thing everyday that I don’t want to do. I got started early this morning and I challenge you to do the same – you will be glad you did!
Michael Joe Harvell 