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.
Uncategorized

What World Are You Living In?

2 Comments

The physical and emotional part of me is living in this world, but the rest of me (mental and spiritual) is living in a spiritual place that I think most people call and think of as Heaven.  I know that this most likely sound crazy to some of you, but I think I really began to understand the whole concept in a lot better way today.

I don’t think of myself as an oddball!  I like to think of myself as somewhat normal.  I like fried chicken, sweet tea and just about anything that is chocolate!  I love life and really seek to get the most out of “every day” living.  I like people and enjoy spending time with and interacting with most most of the time!  But there are just some days when I can’t seem to get or understand anybody.  It’s like I am in my body, but can’t get out to make a connection!

Today was one of those days!  I was trying really hard to connect.  To understand and be understood!  Today was a great day – don’t get me wrong – there was not anything wrong with the day!  It’s just that I had such high expectations.  I thought that today we might all be able to take it up a notch spiritually and maybe we did!  It’s hard for me to see, feel and figure that out, because part of me is here and part of me is there!  The part of me that is here is so excited about the possibilities!  The part of me that is there has such a high expectation and for such a totally different reason.  I think that my judgments get crossed in the mail and this can be very confusing!  I will continue to work on it and I hope that understanding will bring blessing and growth for all of us!

I am not sure that any of this will make any sense to any of you, but I feel a little bit better by taking the time to just share my thoughts!  I hope that my life with God in Heaven is making a difference in my life with you here on earth – If so then, everything is much better than I could dream or imagine!