One of the tough problems in preaching from the book of Proverbs is settling on a focus. You can put your dipper down into this flowing stream at any point and come up with a refreshing drink of bracing inspiration, searching wisdom, probing questions, or challenging direction.

Where would you have stopped to spend some time in reflection as you read this 20th chapter of Proverbs? How long would it take you to get through it if you stopped at every point that begged your attention? I invite you to spend time this summer with this book of practical wisdom as we continue our series of sermons on Proverbs for daily living.

We could stop at verse 1: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."

Roger Hoover recently sent me this tear sheet from a dail…