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“To dream of the person you wish to become is to waste the person you are.”
That idea is at the heart of Signs and Wonders, Philip Gulley’s fourth book in the Harmony series.
Pastor Sam Gardner spends plenty of time hemming and hawing over church matters, but every so often, he manages to preach from the heart. When this message goes up on the church sign, it’s meant as a call to accept and love people—including ourselves—just as they are.
Of course, not everyone in Sam’s congregation appreciates uplifting, inclusive messages. Some (see Dale Hinshaw) would prefer a little more fire and brimstone. Meanwhile, the characters, er, I mean congregants are up to their usual hilarious antics, including a misguided attempt to save the sinful souls of Chicago’s Democrats—via salvation balloons.
My Signs and Wonders Book Review
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Signs and Wonders Book Summary
Signs and Wonders by Philip Gulley is the fourth book in his Harmony series. It follows Pastor Sam Gardner in the small town of Harmony, Indiana. In this installment, Sam grapples with the challenges of leading his less-than-progressive flock into modern times.
The book explores themes of inclusivity and acceptance. Sam pushes for a more welcoming church that embraces people as they are. One of the central ideas is captured by the phrase “To dream of the person you wish to become is to waste the person you are,” which Sam displays on the church sign as a call to self-acceptance and love for others.
However, Sam’s progressive messages don’t sit well with everyone, especially the more conservative members of his congregation. Among them is Dale Hinshaw, a character who often takes his evangelism efforts to hilarious extremes, like sending “salvation balloons” to Chicago to convert Democrats.
With Gulley’s signature humor and warmth, Signs and Wonders delivers a funny yet poignant look at faith, church politics, and the difficulties of balancing tradition with progress.
Now onto the rating! Signs and Wonders Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 5/5
This is exactly what I expect from Philip Gulley’s Harmony series—no swearing, no violence, no crude content. Gulley leans a little harder into poking fun at the ultra-conservative crowd this time. So, if that’s you, maybe dock a few points from the wholesomeness score.
Hilarity Score: 4/5
Yes, I am biased here. But I find small-town, Midwestern church humor to be hilarious. At least Gulley’s version. Simple. Funny. Frustratingly relatable. A few of my favorite nuggets:
On continued failed attempts to fire the sitting, possibly 100-year-old librarian, Miss Rudy:
“Well, I’m not gonna tell her. I had to tell her fifteen years ago,” Lorraine Said. “It’s someone else’s turn”.
Fern Hampton attempting to set up Deena Morrison with her nephew, Ervin, who works in the town’s street department:
“Ervin’s moving right up the ladder. He’s only been there six years and he’s already in charge of the manhole covers.”
paster Sam Gardner, when being informed he was volunteered to be on a committee to decide about a new stove for the church kitchen
“Sam flinched. He had a fleeting vision of the entire church locked in a heated debate over the merits of gas stoves versus electric stoves. Entire families would leave the church. Fifty years from now, people would still be talking about the Great Stove Battle.
…
Sam wondered if he should just resign now and get it over with.“
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 5/5
I’ve loved Gulley’s Harmony world from book one, but Signs and Wonders pulled me in even more. It’s light, funny, and packed with just enough progressive ideology to ruffle some ultra-conservative feathers.
Things I liked:
- “To dream of the person you wish to become is to waste the person you are.” Sounds like good advice. Tough to put into practice, but worth attempting to implement.
- Saying it out loud (or I guess writing it out loud): God loves gay people.
Things I didn’t like:
- Such a tiny physical book! Ok, this had nothing to do with the book itself. I think this is called “mass market paperback” format. I think I’m too old and clumsy (with declining eyesight) for something this tiny.
I guess since we’re on the subject…What’s with this tiny book?
Other Books in the Home to Harmony Series:
- Home to Harmony – My Review
- Just Shy of Harmony – My Review
- Christmas in Harmony – My Review
- Signs and Wonders – (You are here!)
- Life Goes On – My Review
- The Christmas Scrapbook – My Review (coming soon!)
- A Change of Heart – My Review (coming soon!)
- Almost Friends – My Review (coming soon!)
- A Place Called Hope – My Review (coming soon!)
Conclusion: Signs and Wonders Book Review
Signs and Wonders is another charming addition to Gulley’s Harmony series—funny, insightful, and just provocative enough to keep things interesting. If you enjoy small-town church drama with a side of progressive nudging (and the occasional rogue salvation balloon), this one’s worth the read.
Well, since I’m on the topic of progressive theological reads…do you have any good books to recommend?
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
