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.
My soul craves, but for what I am not sure.
I’ve tried it all and nothing seems to satisfy.
My whole life has been a quest to find nourishment.
Yet my soul never seems to get enough!
I think I know who I am, only to discover that I don’t have a clue.
I know there has to be a unique place for me in this world, but I can’t find it.
I am more than flesh and bones, I have to be.
I travel this path of exploration looking for I don’t know what.
And then, almost by accident it would seem,
I find, discover, meet up with, bump into –
The answer – a Friend, the Savior, my God!
And discover it was really no accident at all!
I want this, I need this, I crave this!
This fulfills me, gives me purpose, fulfills my destiny.
The sun is up, night has turned today.
I am ready to face whatever may come my way!
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. -Romans 12:1-3
Real worship is my acknowledging God’s great love for me, by my loving Him back with my actions and reactions! Out of His great love for me, God has chosen to give me mercy, grace and forgiveness! Because of all that He has done for me, I give Him my life – lived for Him and for His glory! God has been so good to me and I want to serve Him and I also need to serve Him, so that I might express my love and appreciation for all that He has done is doing and will do for me!
Because of God’s mercy, I offer my body as a living sacrifice. A sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God – this is my spiritual act of worship. I give myself to God, it is a day by day and moment by moment choice! It is not always easy, but it is necessary for me to live the great life that I was created to live – a life that gives glory to God and shares blessing with man!
I have to be careful not to conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. The temptation I face everyday is the temptation of being shaped by this world. This is why I spend time in His Word every morning, seeking to allow it to renew my mind! It’s not about what I can do for myself, but what God can do in, to and through me!
Lord, Help me to get my worship right! More of you and less of me! I love you and I am so thankful that you are in my life!
It’s been another sweet Sunday at Northwood! God blessed us with a very meaningful and thought-provoking time of worship! We then took a look at the Word and were reminded of some of the great blessings that God allows to flow into our lives!
We are blessed with Transformation! God changes us from the inside out, from physical to spiritual beings. God helps me to become something better than I could ever dream or imagine!
We are blessed with Love! God is love and He loves us by giving us the ability to receive and share His love! We share His love by loving Him back, by loving each other and by loving others!
We are blessed with prayer! We get to have conversation with God. We can talk with Him and we can listen to Him. We have to step out of the flesh and into the Spirit to take part in this conversation!
Tonight we had a great time remembering the seven membership commitments, taking time to meet our deacons and enjoy some great food and fellowship with one another!
We are blessed to be a part of an amazing fellowship! God is good! Be sure to G3! GIVE GOD GLORY!
Michael Joe Harvell 