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Harmony #4
Life Goes On
Squarely in the crosshairs of the Church's heresy hunters, can Pastor Sam survive?
It's a madcap year in Harmony, Indiana, as Sam Gardner struggles through his fourth year as pastor of the Harmony Friends Meeting. Join the thousands of readers who have fallen in love with the charming small town that hosts what BookPage calls "the biggest collection of crusty, lovable characters since James Herriot settled in Yorkshire."
It's a madcap year in Harmony, Indiana, as Sam Gardner struggles through his fourth year as pastor of the Harmony Friends Meeting. Join the thousands of readers who have fallen in love with the charming small town that hosts what BookPage calls "the biggest collection of crusty, lovable characters since James Herriot settled in Yorkshire."
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
76 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Philip Gulley
38 books402 followersPhilip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.
Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.
Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.
Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam—in a rambling old house with Gulley’s eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.
Gulley is also the Pastor at Fairfield Friends Meeting House in Camby, Indiana. If you find yourself in Camby, you're invited to attend a sermon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
July 9, 2017
This book was funny! Not as funny as The Christmas Scrapbook, perhaps, but vastly amusing nonetheless. This book is a series of amusing anecdotes set throughout the year, detailing the experiences of Sam, minister of a Quaker church in Harmony, Indiana. I enjoy books that make me laugh out loud, and this one did.
I think its biggest flaw, maybe its only flaw, was taking itself too seriously. Most novels have some central conflict that builds up until the climax, but this book, a series of funny vignettes, didn't necessarily need one. I didn't mind the central conflict that was introduced, but I felt that it was done in a very careless, hurried manner, as though it were only added in a later draft. About 80% of the way through, a schism threatens to divide the church, and many people want Sam fired. By this point in the story, however, it is too late for the book to be anything but a comedy, and the hasty resolution to the conflict seems far-fetched. The people pushing for him to lost his job suddenly, inexplicably, stop. The temporary lull is long enough for one character to draw everyone's attention elsewhere, and suddenly people are making up and inviting each other over for luncheon.
Still, improbabilities aside, this book is quite funny, a feel-good comedy about churchgoers. What makes them wonderful? What makes them terrible? What makes them so dreadfully annoying? And on top of it all, Gulley raises some profound questions about the role of theology in religious practice and the validity (and danger) of fundamentalism. Overall, a compelling book.
I think its biggest flaw, maybe its only flaw, was taking itself too seriously. Most novels have some central conflict that builds up until the climax, but this book, a series of funny vignettes, didn't necessarily need one. I didn't mind the central conflict that was introduced, but I felt that it was done in a very careless, hurried manner, as though it were only added in a later draft. About 80% of the way through, a schism threatens to divide the church, and many people want Sam fired. By this point in the story, however, it is too late for the book to be anything but a comedy, and the hasty resolution to the conflict seems far-fetched. The people pushing for him to lost his job suddenly, inexplicably, stop. The temporary lull is long enough for one character to draw everyone's attention elsewhere, and suddenly people are making up and inviting each other over for luncheon.
Still, improbabilities aside, this book is quite funny, a feel-good comedy about churchgoers. What makes them wonderful? What makes them terrible? What makes them so dreadfully annoying? And on top of it all, Gulley raises some profound questions about the role of theology in religious practice and the validity (and danger) of fundamentalism. Overall, a compelling book.
August 30, 2012
Read approx. 1/2 of this book over the last couple of days, and I will Probably finish it because it's there.
I read the first in the series 18 months ago, and searching for a quick read, picked this one at random from the stack without bothering to determine it was #5. It doesn't matter: they're all a series of loosely connected anecdotes, and I am sure that you could pick up any one and probably open in the middle to boot without feeling like you'd missed much.
That said, like the first book, "Life" evokes many feelings of nostalgia, or more properly anti-nostalgia, for the church I grew up in and miss less every year. Unlike the first book, this time it's mostly making me mad. Mad that the so-called Christians have turned their church into a combination social club and political debate society. Mad that they are so filled with discord, back-biting, and pointless arguments and discussion. Mad that their pastor, while bemoaning the situation, seems to do little to actually Affect it. Mad that every single one of them seems to be Completely Missing The Point of the Gospel, of the Good News of Christ, and the purpose of the church as a bringer of life and light into a world of darkness and death.
I am also a little frustrated that several of the characters - most notably Dale - have become 2-dimensional parodies. One, or at most two note instruments who, lacking anything new to say, just keep saying the old things more loudly and stupidly. Yes, we get it, there are men of a certain age out there who watch TBN obsessively, give too much credence (and money) to quasi-religious political organizations, and are still fighting the cold war. Also, they are terrible husbands. OK. Fine. Kick them out of the church - or at least anything resembling leadership therein - and get on with your job. The fault is Yours, dear pastor, for giving into their bullying and letting them get entrenched in the first place.
Perhaps the real problem is that I just finished reading The Fisherman's Lady - or rather, the unabridged original called merely "Malcolm" - for the second time in three months, and cannot help contrasting the petty, shallow characters and arguments in "Life goes on" with the deep wisdom and goodness shining through many of characters in MacDonald's classic.
That book makes me want to be a better Christian. "Life" makes me want to stop calling myself a Quaker once and for all.
I think I'll put the Harmony novels in the give-away box and pick up something from Jan Karon's "Mitford" series the next time I want a nice, comforting, cozy book to read. At least in Mitford their Pastor seems to get it!
I read the first in the series 18 months ago, and searching for a quick read, picked this one at random from the stack without bothering to determine it was #5. It doesn't matter: they're all a series of loosely connected anecdotes, and I am sure that you could pick up any one and probably open in the middle to boot without feeling like you'd missed much.
That said, like the first book, "Life" evokes many feelings of nostalgia, or more properly anti-nostalgia, for the church I grew up in and miss less every year. Unlike the first book, this time it's mostly making me mad. Mad that the so-called Christians have turned their church into a combination social club and political debate society. Mad that they are so filled with discord, back-biting, and pointless arguments and discussion. Mad that their pastor, while bemoaning the situation, seems to do little to actually Affect it. Mad that every single one of them seems to be Completely Missing The Point of the Gospel, of the Good News of Christ, and the purpose of the church as a bringer of life and light into a world of darkness and death.
I am also a little frustrated that several of the characters - most notably Dale - have become 2-dimensional parodies. One, or at most two note instruments who, lacking anything new to say, just keep saying the old things more loudly and stupidly. Yes, we get it, there are men of a certain age out there who watch TBN obsessively, give too much credence (and money) to quasi-religious political organizations, and are still fighting the cold war. Also, they are terrible husbands. OK. Fine. Kick them out of the church - or at least anything resembling leadership therein - and get on with your job. The fault is Yours, dear pastor, for giving into their bullying and letting them get entrenched in the first place.
Perhaps the real problem is that I just finished reading The Fisherman's Lady - or rather, the unabridged original called merely "Malcolm" - for the second time in three months, and cannot help contrasting the petty, shallow characters and arguments in "Life goes on" with the deep wisdom and goodness shining through many of characters in MacDonald's classic.
That book makes me want to be a better Christian. "Life" makes me want to stop calling myself a Quaker once and for all.
I think I'll put the Harmony novels in the give-away box and pick up something from Jan Karon's "Mitford" series the next time I want a nice, comforting, cozy book to read. At least in Mitford their Pastor seems to get it!
August 7, 2020
This book is very funny, like all the others from this series. But if you're looking for a "Christian" book beware. I would not consider these Christian books. They do take place in a church setting and center around a minister and they poke fun at Christians. As a Christian I do think it's important to laugh at ourselves.
Don't get me wrong. These books are hilarious. The danger here is that some reading this might think that real Christians act like the church members portrayed in the book. It's only because these people are so over-the-top in their actions that I hope that most readers can separate this humorous book from actual reality. So just don't go looking for actual theology here (on either side of the spectrum). Just enjoy it and have fun!
Don't get me wrong. These books are hilarious. The danger here is that some reading this might think that real Christians act like the church members portrayed in the book. It's only because these people are so over-the-top in their actions that I hope that most readers can separate this humorous book from actual reality. So just don't go looking for actual theology here (on either side of the spectrum). Just enjoy it and have fun!
August 9, 2014
Amazing work by Phillip Gulley to capture the antics of the small town members of a Quaker congregation.. I enjoy reading these stories of how the preacher always seems to bring out the best of everyone else, even when he is designated as the bad guy..
Love the stories.
Love the stories.
October 18, 2023
This was just past my Mitford phase. But Gulley was better. By this point it was getting a bit old. But still fun.
November 9, 2014
Absolutely hilarious. Laughed out loud so hard I cried, garnering strange looks from my fellow beach loungers. Also a good reminder to look at people who drive us crazy in a different light.
December 1, 2017
I have not read any other books in this series about a Quaker minister and the quirky characters he ministers to but it reminds me a little of the Jan Karon books. I found it easy to read the chapters independantly and found them humerous but also with occasional nuggets of wisdom. I would be happy to read more books in the series.
October 11, 2018
Pleasant little comedy. Flavor: The Gilmore Girls meets Quakerism in small town Indiana.
January 29, 2014
I laugh at Dale Hinshaw and the rest of the "troublesome trio" as they make an "elaborate show of placing plugs in their ears" when battle-weary pastor Sam rises to preach. I think, "I know someone like Dale!" You know him too, the annoying legalistic ever "requiring the fires of division be regularly stoked.
Indeed, this book is more than just a fun read. You'll finish a better person, if you will let it work it's magic. You'll be "stretched," never to return to your "original size" and not even realize it's happening. One day you're just an ordinary person, trying to love and be loved, not even knowing "your keester for a hole in the ground." Then you read this book, or any of Gulley's fine works, and somewhere between "despising the Dale's of the world who don't march to my tune" and speculating who in Harmony bought the bikini at Ned's Five and Dime, you figure yourself out just a little more. And, just like Fern, you'll experience grace. And learn about Love.
Indeed, this book is more than just a fun read. You'll finish a better person, if you will let it work it's magic. You'll be "stretched," never to return to your "original size" and not even realize it's happening. One day you're just an ordinary person, trying to love and be loved, not even knowing "your keester for a hole in the ground." Then you read this book, or any of Gulley's fine works, and somewhere between "despising the Dale's of the world who don't march to my tune" and speculating who in Harmony bought the bikini at Ned's Five and Dime, you figure yourself out just a little more. And, just like Fern, you'll experience grace. And learn about Love.
July 24, 2015
I love Philip Gulley books! This was so wonderful.
This is written as the Pastor narrating the book. I love
it how its so down to earth to read. He writes it as
typical as he could have. The story is great, showing
how we as Christians can live in an imperfect world
and an imperfect church. The church members life's
resided around the church, work, home, and community.
Trying to help each other. This Pastor was a good one,
the members of his church, he took care of them, at home
and in the community. Yet no one appreciated what he
did. Anything he did, no one thanked him. They complained
about him even more. He went all out to help them in
life, no matter the time of day or night it was. He even
saved a marriage, and helped others as they came to him.
Yet, the members, only complained, and even tried to fire him
Oh well, God had him there for a reason. I would like a part
2 of this book :)
This is written as the Pastor narrating the book. I love
it how its so down to earth to read. He writes it as
typical as he could have. The story is great, showing
how we as Christians can live in an imperfect world
and an imperfect church. The church members life's
resided around the church, work, home, and community.
Trying to help each other. This Pastor was a good one,
the members of his church, he took care of them, at home
and in the community. Yet no one appreciated what he
did. Anything he did, no one thanked him. They complained
about him even more. He went all out to help them in
life, no matter the time of day or night it was. He even
saved a marriage, and helped others as they came to him.
Yet, the members, only complained, and even tried to fire him
Oh well, God had him there for a reason. I would like a part
2 of this book :)
February 9, 2017
Please see my review here:
http://iron-diva.blogspot.com/2017/02...
http://iron-diva.blogspot.com/2017/02...
December 20, 2024
Well here we are once again in Harmony and Sam Gardner is in his fourth year as pastor of the Harmony Friends Meeting. It is Sam's fourth year, and this book in the Harmony series is titled, Life Goes On. Nothing is ever simple in Harmony, we always have Dale and Fern to make things complicated. Early in the book we find that Sam has lost his voice and on Easter Sunday of all days. As Fern Hampton says:
Sam Gardner, this is the most inconsiderate thing you've ever done. Losing your voice on Easter Sunday. What were you thinking?"
Then we have Dale jump in with a story of the Reverend Rod Duvall, a television pastor he listens to, who once cast demons out of a deaf-mute and had him talking in a minute. "Maybe Sam's got demons", Dale says. Fern replies to that with "It wouldn't surprise me in the least." Dale then tries to cast the demon out of Sam's throat by squeezing his neck, which doesn't work, and before he can be stopped another one of the elders asks if Dale can give the sermon. Of course Dale jumps at the chance. As Sam tells us:
And that was how Dale Hinshaw came to preach on the biggest Sunday of the year.
It could have been worse. Poisonous snakes numbering in the thousands could have slithered from the heat ducts and crawled up our legs. Tarantulas could have dropped from the ceiling onto our heads. We could have been dipped in honey and staked out over a hill of African fire ants. It was bad, but it could have been worse.
He began with the Crucifixion, a topic I thought we had covered sufficiently on Good Friday. I kept hoping he would mention the Resurrection, a not unreasonable expectation on Easter Sunday. Unfortunately, he had the scent of blood in his nostrils and couldn't be diverted. He began to weep, thanking God for having His son killed so we could come to church and have committee meetings and raise money for new kitchen cabinets.
As I am reading these books I have the same thoughts over and over, I know these people. I go to church with these people. People must be the same everywhere. Within reason I hope.
Sam Gardner, this is the most inconsiderate thing you've ever done. Losing your voice on Easter Sunday. What were you thinking?"
Then we have Dale jump in with a story of the Reverend Rod Duvall, a television pastor he listens to, who once cast demons out of a deaf-mute and had him talking in a minute. "Maybe Sam's got demons", Dale says. Fern replies to that with "It wouldn't surprise me in the least." Dale then tries to cast the demon out of Sam's throat by squeezing his neck, which doesn't work, and before he can be stopped another one of the elders asks if Dale can give the sermon. Of course Dale jumps at the chance. As Sam tells us:
And that was how Dale Hinshaw came to preach on the biggest Sunday of the year.
It could have been worse. Poisonous snakes numbering in the thousands could have slithered from the heat ducts and crawled up our legs. Tarantulas could have dropped from the ceiling onto our heads. We could have been dipped in honey and staked out over a hill of African fire ants. It was bad, but it could have been worse.
He began with the Crucifixion, a topic I thought we had covered sufficiently on Good Friday. I kept hoping he would mention the Resurrection, a not unreasonable expectation on Easter Sunday. Unfortunately, he had the scent of blood in his nostrils and couldn't be diverted. He began to weep, thanking God for having His son killed so we could come to church and have committee meetings and raise money for new kitchen cabinets.
As I am reading these books I have the same thoughts over and over, I know these people. I go to church with these people. People must be the same everywhere. Within reason I hope.
September 28, 2022
Well, so, okay. It still doesn't make 100% sense when Sam narrates some of the Harmony books (including this one) in first person, slipping into omniscient narration about other people's lives at times. Even so, this is one of my favorite novels in the series so far.
Why? Because of the way Sam seriously has to face himself in this one, to consider what the heck he's been doing as a pastor since his early days in the ministry. While I'd say the aftermath of his reckoning eventually comes to an open-ended fizzle-out in a way, that particular door is indeed open now. So it'll be all the more interesting if it leads to a difference in the following novels.
Like every other Harmony book, this one had me laughing out loud plenty of times. And the ending is a heartbreakingly beautiful one.
Why? Because of the way Sam seriously has to face himself in this one, to consider what the heck he's been doing as a pastor since his early days in the ministry. While I'd say the aftermath of his reckoning eventually comes to an open-ended fizzle-out in a way, that particular door is indeed open now. So it'll be all the more interesting if it leads to a difference in the following novels.
Like every other Harmony book, this one had me laughing out loud plenty of times. And the ending is a heartbreakingly beautiful one.
February 19, 2019
Life Goes On is a series of vignettes about Sam's life as a Quaker pastor in small town Harmony, Indiana. His congregants are a quirky bunch but some life lessons are revealed throughout the story.
It's small town life, especially in the church, to the fullest. So many opinions, so many committees, the Lord's name used in the most vain ways possible, and don't we dare touch anything that's how we've always done it...it's everything that drives me crazy about the church. Yet it's amusing because I've seen it so much in my life.
It's lighthearted and a quick read. I wouldn't read any more of these books, but I enjoyed this one.
7 of 10 for enjoyment and 5 of 5 for readability. Light, and lightly amusing.
-Holly
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
It's small town life, especially in the church, to the fullest. So many opinions, so many committees, the Lord's name used in the most vain ways possible, and don't we dare touch anything that's how we've always done it...it's everything that drives me crazy about the church. Yet it's amusing because I've seen it so much in my life.
It's lighthearted and a quick read. I wouldn't read any more of these books, but I enjoyed this one.
7 of 10 for enjoyment and 5 of 5 for readability. Light, and lightly amusing.
-Holly
For more reviews, check out bedroopedbookworms.wordpress.com!
November 17, 2018
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this up. I was hoping that starting at Book 4 also wasn't going to be an issue, it wasn't. This is the daily life of a minister, trying to keep his members happy and doing some internal questioning on the state of his beliefs. It was amused with the antadotes, the poor guy was really run through the ringer sometimes. While there is no doubt that faith is part of the book, I would think that even those that don't care to read Christian literature would still find some enjoyment from this.
April 29, 2023
This is another in Philip Gulley's excellent Harmony series, which continues the saga of of Quaker Pastor Sam Gardner and his flock at the Harmony Friends Meeting. These Harmony books never fail to make me laugh out loud, see another perspective, and the case of this book, shed a tear at the end. I love this series. I have read five so far (including Christmas in Harmony) and I am excited to read the last two in the series. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys good homespun storytelling with an uplifting, related message.
September 10, 2023
I thought I had read all of Philip Gulley's books, but the other day at the library I made the happy discovery that I had missed this one. Oh joy! I got to spend some time with Sam Gardner, minister of the Harmony Friends Meeting, always a pleasure. Of course there are always a few Friends that give Sam trouble (and we readers many laughs). This time they are shocked to learn that Sam is keeping an open mind on the subject of the Virgin Birth. In spite of all the frustration he suffers, Sam remains a friend to all.
January 20, 2019
I like this series because it's not all ooey gooey and pleasant.
Gulley talks about ministry, and is also very human. He gets mad, he gets frustrated, he isn't sure what he thinks about some minor theological points. And the people in his church are human, too. He does a good job of bringing out both sides, especially towards the end of this book.
For all that, I appreciate him, and wish he was my pastor.
Gulley talks about ministry, and is also very human. He gets mad, he gets frustrated, he isn't sure what he thinks about some minor theological points. And the people in his church are human, too. He does a good job of bringing out both sides, especially towards the end of this book.
For all that, I appreciate him, and wish he was my pastor.
August 29, 2023
I truly love this book series. Very very simple small town Christian people. Author switched back to first person dialogue from pastor Sam instead of third person storytelling in the previous book. Love the small human conflicts because they seemed pretty darn real (even though the author really makes Dale quite awful). I am dying to see what happens to Deena and Dr. Pierce. If you know, you know.
January 26, 2024
I have a friend who gave me a compliment when she said that reading these Harmony novels, she hears my voice coming out of the pages, meaning the author writes the way I would if I were a novelist. Pretty high praise, since all these Harmony books are gems. Gulley and I share our politics and our optimism in the face of the nutjobs whom we meet. And so it’s a natural that I fall into his books like I fall into a bowl of pudding— happily. Do yourself a favor and find one.
April 17, 2019
Really tried to finish this book. But the characters are just making me depressed. I wanted to give this book a shot after the last one in the series was a disappoint and left me not liking any of the characters. But I just can't go on. Back to Mitford I go gladly to uplifting characters who are funny but show true characteristics of God.
August 7, 2022
The charm from the first book has all but worn off by now. The characters all tend to blend together in their disdain for anything new, it’s easy to predict how they will thwart any good idea and it’s just the same thing over and over. Still a better way to spend time than scrolling a phone, so I’ll finish out the series.
October 12, 2022
Even though I am by no means a religious person, I absolutely adore this series of books. Common sense and common courtesy are so rare anymore, and the ongoing short stories revolving around the fictitious town of Harmony, Indiana, and it's residents, are so poignant, especially in today's society of extremes.
January 15, 2023
I happened upon this book on the shelf of the nursing home where my mother was residing as she was dying. It was what I needed to read at that time; I even read aloud some passages to my mother. We grew up in Indiana, and our small town had much in common with Harmony. I have since read and thoroughly enjoyed the entire series.
December 24, 2017
Each chapter could be read as a short story. The same characters throughout the book and the same location with each chapter being a short facet of living in a small town. Omg, I could never be the pastor of that church!
April 2, 2018
A little too much of Dale Hinshaw in this book, but still a heartwarming and enjoyable read. I am planning to continue reading the series. A chapter from this book is a peaceful way to drift off to sleep every night :)
January 14, 2019
As with all of the books in the Harmony Series I’ve read, Life Goes On is full of great characters, funny writing, and plenty of life lessons that make you pause and think. Great way to end the day reading this just before bed.
February 4, 2020
This is my kind of book! Okay, I like a wee bit more mystery, but the humor was refreshing and much needed. Thank you, Pastor Gulley, for another delightful trip to Harmony. It is a lovely place with church parishioners MUCH like in my church family.
March 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. In this time of fear and unrest it was a pleasant diversion. Sam Gardner serves a Quaker community and I found it interesting to read about people who react like people I know. I laughed and smiled and gritted my teeth.
June 16, 2021
Life goes on
I just can't get over how much I love this series of books. I think maybe this is the best of his book and I start reading the next one and wow it is just as good. Funny and heartwarming. Keep up the great work
I just can't get over how much I love this series of books. I think maybe this is the best of his book and I start reading the next one and wow it is just as good. Funny and heartwarming. Keep up the great work
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews