The 911 operator asked for my location as I was having trouble breathing due to a steroid overdose reaction.
"Room 423. Saint Joseph's Hospital! Hurry!".......I gasped.

I'm surprised it didn't get picked up with the Associated Press International.
~ "MAN CALLS 911 IN HOSPITAL! -STAFF FINALLY RESPONDS! " ~

They cured me of the lung infection in three days, but kept me an extra two days. (Because of the neglect on their part, it took that long just for the swelling to go down enough to where I could fit into my jeans.)

I gained 42 pounds in 12 hours. I knew it couldn't be the jello! They had me so high on IV steroids, I was seeing demon faces in the restroom door, walls, and windows. (The door had a certain depth of color in it's design that added to the hallucinations. )

I know this one thing for sure. Before I left that room that door was a delivered door, holy and acceptable unto God! Ha! All demons were cast out in his name, and the windows and walls were preached to as I stood by them for hours, speaking the word with worship and praise.

The attending nurses and Personal Care Providers were stepping lightly upon entering room 423 in 1994. At any rate the holy presence of God was there and many tip toed and whispered apologies, respectfully, for their interruptions as they went about their duties.

Up until that time my prayer life and relationship with the Lord was sadly lacking in depth. I was worried all the time and releasing negative confessions. Prayer just didn't seem to be the answer, simply because I wasn't offering any!

It's funny sometimes the things that transpire that God uses to lead us into a deeper commitment. Sickness, stress pressure, afflictions, hunger, lack, etc. He is not the source of the attacks or the author of destruction that brings confusion. But he will have his way in the whirlwinds! He is there in the valleys to lead us through the toughest times!

It was the neglect of a hospital staff that taught me-again- to be ever so mindful of trusting God first and foremost.

Seeing a wolf man, bear men and leper con type faces is an unreality factor that seems altogether strange, but the prayer life that resulted brought me closer to Jesus and purged my soul.

I must admit, the strongest influence of vainness in any of the faces I saw that day in the hospital, was my own.

There, the vanity stem seemed so deeply rooted. Having primped and pranced in front of mirrors all my young life, the man I now saw looked like a lion. My face favored that of the beast in the TV series, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

The steroids had swelled and disfigured me and I had fears of retaining such a freakish look. Until.....the Lord asked, "Will you serve me for the rest of your days even if you appear in sight as a lion?"

Looking into the mirror, I ruffled my hair until it puffed out on all sides. It appeared as a lion's mane. The thickness between the bridge of my nose, forehead and eyes gave the appearance of a large square face. My wife and son were even taken back by my appearance and admitted later that daddy had turned into the BEAST MASTER.

BUT, in the ugliness I saw the beauty. While in my reflectiveness upon my past "beauty," I saw the ugliness!

As I stared long upon myself, God reminded me of the Lion of Judah. He was disfigured and beaten; brused for our wild, lawless, and faithless ways.

"Will you serve me for the rest of your days even if you appear in sight as a lion?" he asked again.

"Yes Lord! I will serve you with gladness of heart in whatever I 'FACE!' " And then I roared!

"Let every thing that hath breath praise ye the Lord!"

Chaplain Scott Email