DENNIS GINGERICH

This week, I’m dedicating my blog to sharing the attributes and qualities of my friend, spiritual mentor and ministry partner, Tony Hostetler–who died last week. Frequently I have heard many who knew Tony say, “I never ever heard him say anything bad about anyone.” And, honestly, in 26+ years, I can’t recall one time I heard him speak ill of another person. Even when we were speaking about another person whom I know treated him poorly, he found a way to say something positive or he just remained quiet.

I know that’s one thing people won’t be able to say about me when I die. While I don’t get into bashing others very often, I’ve had plenty of lapses. How about you?

What have you said in the past 24 hours, days or week that you now wish you could take back? Jesus spoke these poignant words, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” Luke 6:45 (NIV). Ouch!

By his example, Tony taught me that if you fill your heart and mind with God’s thoughts and His words, that’s what comes out of your mouth. Over and over again, I heard words of hope, peace, grace, love, encouragement and praise from his mouth. I know Tony had an ample supply of good things stored up in his heart. And, out of his mouth came the stuff his heart was full of.

Garages are designed to hold cars. Yet, I know a lot of people who have to park their cars outside because their garages are full of other things. Did you know our hearts were designed to be filled with good things—God things? Yet, we often fill our hearts with so much clutter that we have no room for God and His good things. Sometimes it is worry, stress, anger and guilt that fill our hearts so we have no room for God. And, the reality is, out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

What are you filling your heart and mind with these days? If you are not sure how to answer that question, ask yourself, “What are the kinds of things that tend to come out of my mouth? Especially when I’m under pressure?” Remember, the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Question: What is one thing you can do today to fill your heart with good things? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.