Empowering the faith and healthcare conversation

MARSHALLTOWN MEDICAL & SURGICAL CENTER

Faith on FridaysConnecting Faith and Healthcare

Definitions are always good. In the Luthers Small Catechism the question
What does this mean is echoed as a means to confirm understanding of core
principals of faith. I am often amazed by my five year old who loves to get to
the heart of the meaning But Dad, what does that mean? Without think-
ing I can gloss over someone elses grasping of a key concept, a medical term
or definitionor the application of such concepts to real life.
Scripture aids us in defining what exactly faith is. From Hebrews 11 we hear
these familiar words: Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assur-
ance about what we do not see.
2
This is what the ancients were commended
for.
3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at Gods command,
so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Confidence and
assurance in what we hope for comes from God. The very same God who
breathed the breath of life into Adam and Eve also whispers our name even in
the darkest of lifes circumstances.
I challenge you and our patients to seek out the Psalms when faith seems far
off and the realities of pain are ever near. One of the Psalms that is close to
my heart is Psalm 139. It speaks of a God who knows us by name, a God
whom is with us even when we feel the depths of despair, a personable creator
who is ever present: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from
your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in
the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the
far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will
hold me fast. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me and the light be-
come night around me,12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night
will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Be still and know that
God is still speaking, still abiding, and still ever present even in our moments of
doubt, regret, pain, and loss.
One of the true gifts you can provide our patients and families is to speak the
language of faithwhen that is natural and comfortable for you. You may ask,
What do I say? I may be a person of deep faith but even I do not even
know what to say at this moment. Speak the comfort of Gods Word to them
using the Psalms. Let me calm your minds by saying that you do not need to
have all the answers! Thanks be to God that I learned that early on in ministry.
The gift that comes through faith is fully relying on GodHis Word, His pres-
ence, and not on my witty answers, my ability to explain why something may
have happened, or what God may have up his sleeve. To be a person of deep
faith is to speak how God has revealed Himself to you.
May God bless you in your vocation here at MMSC. Chaplain Kris Snyder
Friday, 29 August, 2014
Lord God, you have
called your servants to
ventures of which we
cannot see the ending, by
paths yet untrodden,
through perils unknown.
Give us faith to go out
with good courage, not
knowing where we go,
but only that your hand is
leading us and your love
supportng us; through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Guiding Prayer
Sacramental Requests can be
made directly to the
Chaplains Office
X1628
PLEASE LEAVE PATIENT
NAME AND ROOM #
ON CALL CHAPLAIN
Chaplain Snyder is on call
through Monday, Septem-
ber 1, 2014

What exactly is faith?