HEY BRO: Proverbs Field Manual For Gen Ex & Why Men

By Frank Prewitt

The Book of Proverbs is one of the rare bodies of spiritual literature universally accepted as practical and beneficial advice about life. But between the original language, translations, poetry, gender bias, prophetic word puzzles and repetition, the Proverbs are Greek or geek to most 21st Century men.

This paraphrase was written for my son and son-in-law. Their wives and other women tell me these guys are real "hunks". Can't see it myself, but I do know (God willing) they both have a lot of life ahead and I wanted the Proverbs to speak to them where they live; you know, at work, the gym, under a truck or surfing You Tube.

The interpretations of language and intent were drawn from the most reliable current translations of the Bible and scholarly commentary. Contemporary application and analogy are my own, with faith in God's guiding inspiration.

When I took on a similar project for one of my daughters, I stuffed the text with blank pages so she could cut, paste and journal her journey to wisdom. I don't know too many guys who journal, so I'll be thinking about a practical way to keep the guys' attention as I write. I imagine a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Calendar with a daily proverb would do the trick, but that would kind of defeat the point of reading Proverbs, now wouldn't it?

So while I try to think up a hook, I hope this new angle on old truth is provocative enough to guide you into the awesome and radical life God planned, but you may be screwing up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Prewitt
• Release date: Jan 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301538546

Frank Prewitt

Frank Prewitt Managing partner/owner V Rae Art 2005 to present Pre 2005: Government Affairs Consultant •Advised and represented private health and human service agencies pursuing partnering and outsource opportunity with Alaska state and local government and/or public policy, regulatory and statutory change within Executive and Legislative branches of State government. Commissioner / Deputy Commissioner •Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer serving Alaska's integrated system of prisons, jails, probation and parole services. Responsible for executive management of 1,400 employees and $160 million annual operating budget. Attorney at Law •Assistant Attorney General: emphasis on constitutional claims against government officials (Sec 1983), draft regulations, advice to agencies Education / Credentials •J.D. Seattle University School of Law •M.S. University of Oregon Interdisciplinary Studies / Social Work •B.S. Corban University, Oregon Sociology •Merchant Mariner 100 Ton Master Near Coastal License (2010)

Book preview

HEY BRO

Proverbs Field Manual For Gen Ex & Why Men

Frank Prewitt

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by Frank Prewitt

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

God

FOREWARD

The Book of Proverbs is one of the rare bodies of spiritual literature universally accepted as practical and beneficial advice about life. But between the original language, translations, poetry, gender bias, prophetic word puzzles and repetition, the Proverbs are Greek or geek to most 21st Century men.

This paraphrase was written for my son and son-in-law. Their wives and other women tell me these guys are real hunks. Can't see it myself, but I do know (God willing) they both have a lot of life ahead and I wanted the Proverbs to speak to them where they live; you know, at work, the gym, under a truck or surfing You Tube. The interpretations of language and intent were drawn from the most reliable current translations of the Bible and scholarly commentary. Contemporary application and analogy are my own, with faith in God's guiding inspiration.

When I took on a similar project for one of my daughters, I stuffed the text with blank pages so she could cut, paste and journal her journey to wisdom. I don't know too many guys who journal, so I'll be thinking about a practical way to keep the guys' attention as I write. I imagine a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Calendar with a daily proverb would do the trick, but that would kind of defeat the point of reading Proverbs, now wouldn't it?

So while I try to think up a hook, I hope this new angle on old truth is provocative enough to guide you into the awesome and radical life God planned, but you may be screwing up.

* NOTE: The Book of Proverbs is full of prophetic reference to the person, work and status of the Messiah. As a Christian, I believe Jesus was and is the Messiah. For example, in Proverbs 1:20 - 33 Christian commentaries identify Jesus as the Wisdom who calls out warning and passes sentence on people who reject his message. Where biblical scholars have interpreted word, wisdom, lord, master etc. as reference to the Messiah, I frequently (but not exclusively) use Jesus' name in the text to clearly identify the speaker or subject.

Chapter One

Preface

1-7 Of all the success, motivation and makeover books on the market, The Book of Proverbs is unparalleled. Proverbs is straight talk about money, sex and power; no half baked schemes, no quick fix, no manipulation, just the raw truth about good and bad choices. Putting this stuff to work will improve anyone’s performance and mileage, regardless of age, race or sex. But there is a catch: To get the full benefit from this program, you've got to accept and respect that there's a God who invented and oversees life.

Now some people get stuck on the idea of God. That's okay with God, he just wants you to be man enough to wrestle with the idea that he may actually exist and want to be your best friend and partner. The choice to believe, of course, belongs to you, not God. So you could say God is pro-choice and progressive, notwithstanding his pro-life reputation.

So while you chew on God's politics, read on and you'll pick up a truckload of cool and useful advice…unless, of course, you're a fool. But, if you were a fool, you probably wouldn't be reading Proverbs.

So here's your Fathers' best advice:

The Program

8-9 It's in your best interest to give thoughtful consideration to your parents' opinion…both of them. Your parents have seen and experienced a lot more than you know, and it wasn't all good. So unless you want history to repeat itself, you may want to listen up. It'll save you a lot of grief and help your reputation.

10-19 Try to avoid the temptation to improve your position by hurting people. Trust me, any