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.
I am honored to be called by God to serve as a pastor of His church! I have always tried to work hard to honor God and give Him glory, while building His church and encouraging His people. I have tried and failed to live a life worthy of the calling that God has given me. (Ephesians 4:1) Some days I seem to really get it right and then some days I seem to really mess it up. I don’t want to think that I have arrived, because the truth is: the closer I get to God the more I realize just how much more room for growth there is in my life. I also don’t want to get discouraged and give up, because if God has called me, He has also given me the ability. So, I recommit myself to the calling that God has placed upon my life and will do everything that I can to live a life worthy of that calling!
It has been great for me and my family to get away to visit with some other ministries and take some time to enjoy some vacation from our normal everyday duties! I have honestly done much better at this vacation thing than I thought I would. I have not worked on any sermon stuff – and that is saying a lot for me, because almost everything I see, read or think almost always leads to a sermon. I have missed preaching just a little bit, but really the break has been good. I have not taken a serious break from preaching since I first started pastoring in 1992.
While I have done good at not doing the sermon thing. I have not been quiet so disciplined in the area of being a pastor. In fact, I have thought a lot about Northwood and all of the people that make Northwood so special. The truth is, we just can’t help it! Northwood is more than a church to me and my family – Northwood is a family to my family and Northwood is home! While I have enjoyed some time to enjoy and learn in different environments, I am thankful for a home to head home to and looking forward to the day that we get back there. Until then, I hope everyone knows how much we love them and just in case they don’t, I know that I will be sure to tell them when I get home!
There used to be a commercial from a bank that had a song that said: “I’m different and don’t care who knows it, something about me ain’t the same. I’m different and that’s how it goes, ain’t going to play any black sheep games! Being different is not a bad thing, it is actually a good thing! The thing that makes you different, is the thing that makes you – you! The thing that makes you – you, is the thing that gives you the ability to be powerful and make a difference in this world!
We need to stop trying to fit in with the world and start fitting into who God created us to be! We need to figure out what gifts God has given us and build our lives by using our gifts for God’s glory! What is it that God has given you that makes you uniquely you? Figure that out and use it and you will be amazed at just how special your life really is! What do you think really matters – what kind of sheep you are, or the fact that you are a sheep?
Michael Joe Harvell 