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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Simple Pleasures!

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Simple Pleasures!

This morning I woke up thinking about “Life’s Simple Pleasures!”  You know those little things that help to make our days special, but that we often take for granted.  One of life’s simple pleasures for me is getting to walk my daughter into school every morning.  We hold hands, I walk her to her classroom door, give her a spin, a kiss on the head and remind her to FOCUS!  I know that the day will come, when I will not be able to do this, but right now I can and she let’s me and it is a simple pleasure that means more than most can know!

Life is full of simple pleasures! Take a little time today to think about some of the simple pleasures that God has filled your life with and also take a little time to thank Him for those pleasures!

Have A Great Weekend! I hope that you have a great weekend!  Don’t forget about the time change!  And if you don’t have a place to worship – you always have a standing invitation to join me at one of the two Northwood Campuses!  God Bless, Press On and G3!  (GIVE GOD GLORY!)

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Do You Have One?

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This past Sunday morning we presented everyone in attendance at Northwood with a Smiley Face Button and the instructions to wear it and when someone asked about it, to respond by saying:  It reminds me to smile because God loves me!  Then offer it to the person asking and encourage them to smile, because God loves them!

I Love The Stories! It has been amazing to hear your stories and to see these Yellow Smiley Face Buttons all over the community.  In fact, we have placed an order for a whole new batch.  It is a very simple way to plant a seed of truth that God loves us and has an amazing plan for our lives!

Our series this month is “All You Need Is Love!” And love is all you need as long as it is God’s love flowing into and through your life!  I hope that you can join us this Sunday as we take some time to really think about what loving Him back looks like!

Until then, keep smiling and remember:  God Loves You!

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What Does God Want?

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We all have desires! We watch television and we see a commercial for the new Camaro (or some really cool car) and think “That’s just what I need!”  Or a commercial comes on showing some extra creamy ice cream and we think “That sure would be good – I’ve got to get me some!”  Everyday and often without even thinking about it, we create and re-create a list of desires – things that we want to have, do or be.  Desires do not have to be a bad thing.  In fact, they can be a good thing, if used properly and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever thought about God and what He wants? Have you ever wondered what does God – the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe desire?  I was reading in Deuteronomy 10 and came across a verse that sounded very familiar to a verse that I had read in the Gospel of Mark a week earlier.  Both of these verses tell us exactly what God wants!

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments.”

Mark 12:30 “And you shall love the Lord Your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind, and with all your strength.”

God wants to love us and be loved by us! When we love God, truly love God – with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength, then we will fear and revere Him, walk in His ways, love and serve Him with our all and keep His commands!

He deserves it! Now that we know what God wants, let’s see if we can give it to Him!   Just look at all that we’ve wanted that God has provided!  G3!  GIVE GOD GLORY!