Street Smart from Proverbs by Mitch Kruse with D. J. Williams

There is a wealth of wisdom in Proverbs. Perhaps you've read through it, like I have, but have had difficulty organizing the information into principles for life.

Kruse has done an excellent job of examining all the information in Proverbs and organizing the insights around twelve concepts: righteousness, equity, justice, wise behavior, understanding, wise communication, prudence, discretion, wise counsel, discipline, knowledge, and learning.

This is a very good book illustrating the major principles for life contained in Proverbs. Kruse combines teaching on each subject with great stories giving examples of the principles in action. My favorite suggestion was the Five Second Rule. Before each phone call, email, text message, or meeting, take five second and ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to do. (145) I also like the Ten Second Rule, taking anger to God for a full ten seconds. “He will cool us down, keeping us silent, patient, and on the straight path.” (153)

Kruse often puts his information into an easy to remember form. His components for wise communication, for example, include

Ask questions

Share stories

Key in on the other person's perspective

Speak Scripture. (161)

I highly recommend this book to those who may have read Proverbs but don't know how to implement the wise concepts contained in it. The material in this book allows readers to understand the principles and get a good sense of how the principles are lived out. Men, I think, would particularly like this book as most of the stories are about men.

Kruse has a number of videos you can watch: His Business Journey, on Conflict, on Wisdom, 12 Words to Transform Your Life, on The Cycle of Conflict, and Why You Should Read Street Smarts From Proverbs.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Mitch Kruse is known for his contribution to the collector car and real estate auction arenas. For seventeen years, he was owner, CEO, and auctioneers of the world's largest collector car sales organization. Kruse and his father developed the world's first auction park, home to the annual Auburn, Indiana, collector car auction that attracted three hundred thousand collectors each year. Mitch, his wife, and their four daughters live in Auburn, Indiana, on their family farm, homesteaded by Kruse's great-great-great grandfather in 1854. You can find out more at www.mitchkruse.com.

D J Williams has been in the entertainment industry and nonprofit sector for twenty years. His writing credits include Restoration Road with Mitch Kruse, The Disillusioned, Waking Lazarus, and contributing writer for Holy Bible: Mosaic. Currently based in Los Angeles, Williams continues to add to his producing and directing credits by continuously developing new projects for television, film, and print.

Faith Words, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.