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.
If we are going to be all that God made us to be and experience all the amazing things that God created us to experience, then we must take some time to answer the question: “What does success mean to you?” The definition of success is different for everybody and it changes as we grow and develop! The people that experience the greatest success are the ones who have made the time to think about who they want to become and what they want to do. Once we figure out the who, then we can work on the what!
Some view the Bible as a book full of rules and regulations! I choose to see the words in the Bible as a guide that protects me from myself! The Bible teaches me that there is great power in FOCUS! It helps me to understand that there is great reward and blessing that flows out of my HARD WORK! It encourages me to build STRONG RELATIONSHIPS that allow me to give and receive! It helps me to know that I can PERSEVERE no matter what the situation or circumstance might be! And the Bible promises me BLESSING from God as I live according to His plan and direction!
Figure out the direction that you life needs to be heading. Let’s God’s Word help to guide you. The unsuccessful of life that have chosen to live lives of mediocrity have settled to live without direction and the result is a life that goes whichever way the wind blows. Don’t allow circumstances and excuses to get in the way of the amazing things that God has for you!
Figure it out! Take some time to really answer the question: Success – what does it mean to you?
Success is one of those words that many who call themselves Christians have tried to distance themselves from. The result is that many of us have become mediocre in the process! Success is not something that we should run from, it is something that we should run toward. Success does not happen by accident, it is something that happens on purpose, because we make it happen. Success is actually the creation of God. He said: “A man will reap what he sows!”
With that thought in mind – let me ask you a question: What are you planting? Whatever you are planting is what you will grow and whatever you are growing is what you will harvest! If you want to harvest success, then you must plant seeds that will grow into success! Success is different for everybody! What does success look like for you, in your life, at this time? Answer the question honestly and you are on your way!
Be honest – take some time and think about it – what does success mean to you and what will it look like in your life?
My goal as a pastor is to try and help people have the amazing life that I know that God wants each one of us to have! It’s not about rules and regulations, it’s about relationship with a God that created us, loves us and desires to bless us! Northwood is working hard to become the kinda place where you can discover and grow in this incredible and amazing relationship!
I have decided to take the blog in a new direction starting today! I am going to try and blog everyday with the dual purpose of motivating and encouraging you that read and in keeping myself accountable to you! I have things in my life that I need to work on and make better – areas that I can improve in, that would cause my life to be more enjoyable to me and others! If we are all honest – we all have areas of our life that we need to work on! Starting today I am challenging each of us to really start thinking about these areas for improvement! I am serious – right now, make a commitment today to take 10 – 30 minutes to really think about your life and how it could be and should be better! Think about what you can do to make it better! Once you start thinking in the right direction – make a list of things that you will begin to work on! Feel free to comment by clicking comment under the title up above and let me know where you are on your journey and how I might be able to help!
P.S. A big thing that may seem small that I am working on this week is less carbonation- it really needs to be no carbonated drinks and a whole lot of water! Did you know that we are supposed to take our body weight and divide it by two – to get the ounces of water that we need to drink? So far, so good today – I am already floating!
Michael Joe Harvell 