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.
Jesus commanded the church to “Make Disciples!” in Matthew 28:19-20. With that in mind, my staff and I have been working to try and figure out what our process for making disciples as a church should look like! We have not even got close to the process part yet! We began by trying to answer the question: “What is a disciple?” We wanted to answer this question so that even a non-disciple could understand. This is our rather lengthy definition:
A disciple is a person who has entered into a change relationship with God through Jesus and is in process of ongoing change to become more like Jesus everyday, who when confronted makes the choice to not sin, out of love for Christ and out of that love shows love to others by sharing the Gospel that has changed their life and eternity!
So what do you think? Do you have anything to add or take away? We really want to get serious about Northwood being disciples and making disciples! Thanks for your insight and prayer!
Do you love God or do you love loving God? I think that a lot of people would say that they love God, but I think a more truthful statement may be that they “love loving God.” Many people think and say that they love God, but the reality is – they love the idea or concept of loving God. We should love God and we should appreciate being loved by God, but if we really love God and appreciate being loved by God, then we will show it by the way that we live in relationship with Him!
Stop and take a few moment to think about who or what you are really loving. Are you really loving God or loving the idea of loving God? If you find yourself loving the idea of loving, then take a few moments to get yourself re-adjusted so that you can enjoy being loved by Him and so that you can begin to grow your love for Him.
You will know that you are getting this “love thing” right, when you find yourself looking and acting more like Jesus! Just a little something to think about and hopefully in your thinking, a little something to help you grow your love in the right direction!
Early in the morning video – I need some coffee and a diet, but the message is from the heart! Remember: Your enemy is usually not who or what you first think!
Michael Joe Harvell 