September 11 and The Hounds of Heaven

For many 9/11/01 will forever be etched in our minds. I will never forget that day as long as I live. The live news footage being broadcast across the TV screen is burned into my memory like an image burned into the plasma on plasma TV’s. While 9/11/01 is a memory this entire world will never forget September 11 has other meanings for me.

September 11, 1988 brought an event that changed my life. After years of trying to do it on my own and being chased by the “hounds of Heaven”, I was captured by my Father’s Grace. I was overtaken by those hounds that were always in the background of my mind howling to the tune of Amazing Grace. Those hounds were released by our Lord at the bequest of my mama, daddy, sister, and a former pastor. Oh, they loved me. My mama and daddy directed those hounds when they saw my former pastor at a revival he was holding close to their home. They gave him information where I was residing, complete with address and home phone number. Those hounds had a new scent and track me they did. That pastor was a master hound handler. He turned them loose on me every Monday night. I knew when church-wide visitation was going on in that church better than most members. Every Monday night I would receive a knock at my apartment door. They would knock, wait 30 seconds, knock again, wait 30 seconds, ring the door bell, and then place a card on the door and leave. At about 9:00 pm after these visits there would be a phone call with condolences of missing an opportunity to visit with me. Oh, these hounds were getting tougher and tougher to run from.

At the end of August, 1988, I received a visit from this former pastor at my job. I was a used car salesman and this pastor shows up at my place of employment, not by himself mind you but, with another preacher. It seemed they were in revival that week and I was the fortunate soul that was on the “must visit with the evangelist” list. They spoke with me about my need for a savior and I politely told them I was not interested. It was then that the evangelist said something that made me mad. I was giving all kinds of excuses as to why I did not desire to receive Jesus and one was that I wanted to do this when I decided it was right for me. The evangelist then said, you are a very intelligent person Tim, do be a fool. I do not believe I had ever had anyone call me a fool. I ended that conversation with the excuse that I had to get ready for a delivery. (Most preachers do not want to interrupt someone when they are actually in the process of performing work. :>)) They wanted to pray with me and I said ok. The hounds of Heaven were howling to the tune of “Bring them In”. As the prayer began, I remember it becoming very hot and I became extremely nervous. I opened my eyes to look at the preachers to see if their eyes were closed and once that was confirmed I just looked around and rolled my eyes at the other salesmen that were curiously looking at me through the showroom windows. I remember telling them later that I will allow anybody to do anything to in order to get a sale.

They left and my former pastor came back a couple of times but he could tell that I was not interested in spiritual things so he decided to not cast pearl before swine. Events were unfolding in my personal life that made me begin to assess my spiritual condition. There was a heretical teaching going around in 1988 that marked the date of Jesus’ return as 9/13/88. The book was entitled Eighty-eight Reason Jesus will Return in 1988. This book was a big topic of discussion and I, being a good car salesman, needed to speak to anyone about any subject. I began studying about this “prophecy” and then the scriptural prophecy. I saw things that made me question and then I dropped the subject.

The hounds were now howling to the tune of “Why not Tonight?”. It was Sunday, September 11, 1988 and I was visiting my mama and daddy. She invited me to go to church with her and I responded that I did not want to go down there where all of those hypocrites were. After dinner my Pentecostal PPL sister and her husband came to the house. The hound’s howl was louder in my mind. I could here these hounds howling to the tune of “Amazing Love”. My sister and her husband were speaking about their upcoming anniversary and I inquired as to their leaving town to celebrate. She responded; “If Jesus does not come back on Tuesday we will.” I became indignant. What are those (not so nice adjective describing Black Pentecostals) folks down there teaching you? She apologized to me for offending me by that statement, but then asked; “If Jesus were to return would you go with us”? Why did God have me in such a religious family? The hounds of Heaven were howling to the tune “There is a Fountain”. I could not answer that question and she said she would pray for me.

I left and went to my apartment, but the hounds of Heaven would not leave me this time. They were on my trail, had my scent and it was a matter of time. As I was driving I remember my mind racing. Was I saved? I certainly could not answer the question posed to me by my sister. As my mind tried to rationalize I was saved there was one hound that howled the loudest. That hound did not howl out a tune, he howled out a Bible verse. It was one that I learned in my youth group. Romans 6:23. I heard that hound howling out that Bible verse over and over (in KJV), For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. These hounds were on me hard and I fought them off.

When I arrived at my apartment, I could not get this last hound off my mind. I was alone and had the TV on. I had the custom cable on my TV in Raleigh, NC and could receive at that time 125 channels plus the Playboy channel. There was nothing interesting on TV for a hellion like myself to watch. These hounds were howling so loud I could not keep my mind on anything but my need for a Savior. I will never forget one hound as he described for me my life up to that point. I lived life for no one but myself. This hound described for me how I could care less about my family or anyone else. It was sad, but true. Once this hound stopped I decided to get some help. It seemed that for some strange reason I kept all 9,999 (exaggeration) cards that the church left at my door. So I called that Youth Minister’s phone number. He answered and spoke with me gave me direction and asked to come over. I told him not to come this was something I had to work out for myself. The hounds were now warming up their trumpets and preparing for a celebration.

As I struggled with my need for a Savior, I did not know what to do. Finally, through much agony, sweat, tears and nervousness, I threw up my arms as I repented of my sins, my chains fell off, the hounds had overtaken me, and I was led me to my Father’s opened arms. The hounds then began howling to the tune of “Victory In Jesus”.

So, September 11 is special to me. It was the day that I was born again. What a joy it is to celebrate my Spiritual Birthday. We make a big deal about Spiritual Birthdays around our house. My daughter’s Spiritual Birthday is September 29 and my wife’s Spiritual Birthday is March 11. Today marks for me 20 years as a Christian. Let me just say; I am more in love with Jesus today than I was the day I met Him. He has truly changed my life and if you do not know Him, He desires to change yours. If you are skeptical, that is okay. Just let me know because I desire to pray for you and seek the Father’s face on your behalf. Oh, I will also ask Him to release the Hounds of Heaven on you. I can tell you from experience, you cannot out run those Hounds. Once they are on your trail, it is only a matter of time.

Feel free, if you are so led, to share with us the time that the Hounds of Heaven came after you.