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.
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Does God Care?

With all that is going on in our world at this particular time, this is a question that more and more people are beginning to ask.  And if God does care, then what does He care about?  In I Samuel 1:3-11 we find a lady by the name of Hannah.  She is going through a really tough time because she wants to have a child, but is unable to have a child.  We can tell by the prayer that she prays that she believes that God cares and that He cares about her!

Tonight at Northwood, we are going to take some time to look at Hannah’s prayer and also seek to understand the faith to pray such a prayer.  If you want to learn about how to talk to God and believe in God, then you don’t want to miss this special time of study.  Come join me in the Worship Center at 6:30 P.M. as we take some time to discover and remind ourselves that YES – God Does Care!

And for those of you who can’t make it – I will try and post some points on tomorrow’s blog!  (But go a head and check out the Scripture for yourself!)

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Forgiveness!

Have you ever noticed how much the Bible talks about forgiveness?  There is verse after verse that tells us to forgive others!  When someone hurts you, you have a choice to make, you can hold on to the anger, hurt, resentment and thoughts of getting even or you can forgive and move forward.

Everyone has been or will be hurt by the actions or inactions of someone else.  It may come from a family member, friend or even a complete stranger.  The things that people say and do can hurt and leave you with anger, bitterness, frustration and an attitude of vengeance.

The Bible tells us to forgive, because we have been forgiven.  If we have been forgiven and truly appreciate our forgiveness, then we will forgive!  When we forgive, we will experience freedom and release, but when we fail to forgive it will cost us!

To forgive means that I make the choice to let go of the resentment that I hold on to and the revenge that I seek.  Forgiveness is the action of separating myself from my thoughts and feelings, so that I can make the right choice about what is best for me and those around me.

Forgiveness helps me to live a healthier life by allowing me to be in control of my feelings, rather than having my feelings control me!  Forgiveness is not always easy.  It is best to understand that forgiveness is a process:

  1. REALIZE that forgiveness is your best option!  Take some time to think about what unwillingness to forgive is costing you and allow these thoughts to motivate you to forgive!
  2. REFLECT and think about how you got to where you are and admit to yourself that you don’t want to stay in this place!
  3. REACT in a positive way and seek reconciliation as much as you can from your side of things!

Above all remind yourself again and again of the forgiveness that has been granted to you by Your Savior.  Forgiveness that we do not deserve and that we cannot earn!  If you’ve got it, then give it!

I’ve got some work to do – how about you?

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Team Work Makes The Dream Work!

Egg Hunt 2009Northwood Easter Egg Outreach – Giving of ourselves to help people find the right direction in life!

This past Saturday the Northwood family showed up at Lake Cunningham with a mission of sharing the love of Jesus in a real and meaningful way. Men, women, boys and girls came out to help set up and everyone worked hard to make sure that people from our community felt welcomed, loved and special!  The event was totally free to the community and was made possible by the generous gifts of the Northwood family.  Everyone had a great time and God blessed with an extra beautiful day.  Thank you to each and every person that gave of themselves to help make this great outreach event a success!

If you want to know what the church looks like, then you need to come out to one of these events and watch our people as they work, sweat and give of themselves to share the love of Jesus.  I just want all of you to know how proud I am of you and how thankful I am to be a part of this team and family!  Thanks for all that you do to help Northwood be the place and people that help people to find the right direction in life!