Book Review: “Glimmers of Light in the Darkness of Life: Existential Reflections for Everyday Life” by Trip Kimball

If we went for coffee today, and we talked about books… let’s talk about this 30 day devotional book from my friend Trip Kimball.

How did I get this book?

My friend Trip sent it to me in the mail. I met Trip in the summer of 2021 as we were praying through the decision to depart Canada for the States. Trip lived in Jacksonville. We got in contact through his relationship with Poimen Ministries. Poimen is a collection of retired Calvary Chapel Pastors that have made themselves available to come alongside pastors and churches during transitions. Trip spent two weeks in Canada ministering to my former church.

We became fast friends. I drove up to Jacksonville to spend some time with him. Trip had been with Pastor Chuck in the days of the tent, went on to plant what has become Joshua Springs Calvary Chapel. From there, he spent many years in the Philippines, church planting, discipleship, Bible College, Inductive Study seminars and various other ministries. He and his wife Susan, have a plethora of ministry and life experiences that I have benefited from. I phone him a couple of times a month whether he likes it or not!

Trip has been a tremendous blessing in the relaunch of Calvary Chapel here in Fort Walton Beach. He agreed to join the Board as I was praying about accepting their invitation. He was instrumental in several key and clutch decisions early on. He’s since transitioned to the Advisory Board, as we have found our feet, added leaders and the leadership has become more stable.

Trip has written a couple of books. He recently began a Substack account. He was on Medium before. This is his latest book. He asked me to review it.

What is it about?

This is a 30 day meditation through the book of Ecclesiastes. Trip starts in the beginning of Ecclesiastes and works his way through the book systematically. Each entry is partitioned into three segments. Just after the passage under examination, he announces the theme and often gives personal illustrations to illustrate that topic. The second segment is always titled “Insights” which is where he leads his reader to observe and interpret the passages. Each entry closes with a segment called “Existential Reflections” which puts all of this together into some practical action steps.

As he moves through each chapter of Ecclesiastes, he inserts a section of questions to use in processing that chapter.

What did I think?

Trip is my friend, and I could hear his voice in my mind while I read. I loved that.

It blessed me to read every story he told from his life. I loved the personal illustrations that he used to draw attention to the themes and topics and dilemmas that Solomon is raising. That was my favorite part of the book.

His insights blessed me. They are well worth the time invested to read. There’s years of thinking, observation and experience distilled into each entry. Wisdom is shared.

The last few entries were special. To me, they were exceptional.

What also blessed me was reading his acknowledgements and seeing how much time and love and energy he has poured into this. He’s in a fantastic community. He included lots of his friends in the writing process. It sounds like he has given us something better as a result.

Conclusion:

My long time readers know that I am a HUGE proponent and encourager of people writing books. More should do it.

My friend Brett Robinson says that he won’t read anything theological written by someone under 50. He says they haven’t lived long enough to say anything worthwhile. Trip is past 50.

They say that you’re the same person each year except for the books you read and the people you meet. If you’re in the area… do yourself a favor and spent a little time with my friend Trip Kimball. You’ll be blessed.

If you’re not, let me encourage you to pick up this book and read it over 30 days. You’ll get to know my friend Trip! You’ll also get the benefit of his insights and experiences. You’ll walk away from this thinking deeper and better about all the topics and themes that Solomon raises in Ecclesiastes. You will have purchased wisdom.

Have you met Trip? Would you like me to introduce you?

soon!

andy