For guys, more than ever, it’s a confusing world. Your GPS doesn’t offer any maps showing how to get to the point of wisdom — and who likes asking for directions anyway?
But there are ways to get that guidance you need. The answers may be all around you, in the form of guys you already know. Wise guys. More experienced guys. Better-traveled guys. Could there be ways to tap into their invaluable knowledge without enduring dull lectures or taking pages of notes?
Kent Evans has surrounded himself with these wise guys. They have shown him all the back roads on the way to wisdom. With a great deal of humor and an endless supply of stories, he wants to show you how to gather life-enriching truth from the guys in your own circle.
GENRE: Nonfiction, Christian, Men’s Interest
PUBLISHER: City on a Hill
RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2016
PAGES: 164 pages
I am not a guy (hopefully this is not a surprise to anyone), but I have a guy. So when Wise Guys by Kent Evans came across my radar, I asked my husband if he was interested in helping me review it.
The book is laid out in easy to digest chapters, a conversational style, and questions to provoke personal growth. When an author starts out in the introduction by relating his theme to The Princess Bride, you know it’s going to be an enjoyable book, even if it does step on your toes a bit.
But, enough from me, the not-a-guy. Here’s what my husband had to say:
This book takes an honest and clever look at the current state of manhood/fatherhood.
He starts by addressing that our zeal for independence outstripped our need for interdependence. The self-made man is glorified, the fatherless man is honored and as a society starts to crumble we notice a “lack of a father’s influence” in each societal problem.
I’ve been wondering about the role of Men for many months and I see a problem. Men are discouraged to rely on each other and encouraged instead to outperform one another. Men are called to fill in a black silhouette in a wedding picture, baby album or number in a bank account with little to pass on to his own children. Men are not put in mentorships and so there is no guide except for the hero character’s script written by someone in Hollywood.
This book begins to try to offer a better way. Each section has questions to make you think about being a better man. For example: When was the last time you asked your spouse or loved one 3 questions in a row without interjecting your opinion? Do you have relational connections that can benefit the lives of others? The sections of this book layout a plan to introduce the lost handbook of Manhood in a time where we have no idea where we are going knowing we can’t stay here.
For me, this book needs to be my next devotional. Since Kent Evans bases these virtues of manhood on Biblical principles, I see a practical guide on how I can change myself to be a better man on the inside. Other books on being a better man focused on the outside (shine your shoes, get a tailored shirt) but any scoundrel can shine shoes and wear a suit. I’ve been wanting a guide that shows boys how to be men and men to be brothers and not adversaries. This will be required reading for myself and can’t be totally absorbed through one pass. It’ll be hard but it will be worth it.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
My Rating: 4 stars / Great book!
KENT EVANS is the board chairman and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps fathers and mentors build the next generation of godly men. Kent has personally experienced how the guidance of godly men can change the course of a life. Today he is blessed with a solid 20-year marriage, four wonderful sons and a fulfilling life – largely because of what he’s learned from other men. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky, and can be found on Twitter @manhoodjourney.
One reader will win a copy of Wise Guys by Kent Evans, courtesy of the publisher and FlyBy Promotions!
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
My wise woman was a former Sunday School teacher, Lois Dougharty. I met her when I was in the sixth grade. We worked on the bus route which picked up riders (on the west side of San Angelo, Texas) who wanted to attend church at Bowie Street Baptist Church. We would visit those people every Saturday to see if they would be riding and if there was any need that we could help meet. We provided clothing, groceries, over the counter medications all from Mrs. Dougharty’s resources.
She was my bible study partner after I became a Christian at the age of sixteen. She would always ask me two questions, “What scripture did I read? and What does it mean to me?” I have cooresponded with her throughout my life and have always received godly counsel.
I was privledged to attend her 90th birthday party last September. She is a true saint of God who has endured many hardships. The death of her husband while she was still young, the death of two of her three sons while they were in their 20’s and 30’s, and brittle bone disease which lead to chronic pain after she broke her ankle at 80 years old.
I developed my love of bird watching from her which was also based down to my son when he met her.
I treasure every memory and letter we have shared.
If I win this book in the giveaway, I will pass it on to my son who will be getting married next Spring.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this book and for a chance to enter this giveaway.
What a marvelous mentor you’ve been blessed to have!
I plan to get his book for my son who is engaged to be married. Sounds like something he would read and enjoy.
It would be a good one for him!