Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  “You are King Glory,” she stammered.

  “I am His messenger,” he said in a voice resonant with the sound of running water and deep chords of music at the same time. “I am Halal, an angel of praise to Jajireh, the Father of King Glory. He has sent me to protect you and to give you safe passage from this place.”

  “Do we leave now?” Lily asked hopefully. Her eyes were big and her body shaking, even though great peace enveloped her.

  “No, there are others here you must bring with you. I will wait.”

  Lily paused, her mind trying to comprehend. Other LAMBers here who have stayed true, who haven’t been retrained? I haven’t seen any. “Have you spoken to them already?”

  “No, they cannot hear or see me easily. They do not have the shout within, and they have begun to lose the words of the Voice. You must restore them, Lily.”

  “But how? The watchers isolate me because they know I won’t give up.”

  “Put on the shades and the OGs to make them think you are submitting, but listen to the promptings in your heart. The Righteous Voice within you will speak to you and direct you to those you have been designated to assist. Do not fear. I will be nearby to protect you. Declare within yourself, but do not weep. Rather, rejoice in your heart. Set your face as steel. The watchers will think you have succumbed, and they will be deceived, not you.”

  “But how will I tell those…”

  “You know the symbol. Heed the Voice within, Lily. Obey the Voice within.”

  Just like that, the light and the iridescent water disappeared. Back were the tile hallways, the harsh, plain white walls. Nothing was wet, nothing was bright. No, not true. The light in me is bright, and it’s stronger. I can do this. Lily smiled inside, keeping her outer expression straight. She walked the silent hallway to her room with Timmy. Now she knew they would both survive.

  * * *

  The gathering had ended, and the boats were being loaded in the dark to remain unseen, undetected. Friends embraced each other, hoping, praying that they would meet again soon, all the while fully aware they could be imprisoned, killed, or kept away due to secrecy difficulties.

  Suddenly, a collective “aaah” could be heard as each one’s gaze went to the sky. There the aurora borealis, the northern lights, danced and blazed across the expanse.

  “The angels are dancing for us,” whispered one.

  “Sent by God,” said another in admiration.

  “Nothing so beautiful,” a third almost sang.

  Josiah felt transported, lifted, by the beauty of the sky. Like a glimmering curtain of soft pinks and greens and whites, the lights waved and played before him. Truly like angels dancing.

  Before that thought completed itself in his mind, it seemed a portion of the heavenly curtain was in front of him, enveloping him. He heard “ooohs” and “aaahs” within himself. He wondered if it was his own voice or one outside himself.

  Suddenly, he was alone on the beach with the luminous wind encircling him. Josiah found himself looking up at the height and turning to see it all. Then he realized he was twirling and dancing and consumed by the greatest joy he had ever experienced.

  “I am the shout, Josiah. Do you hear it reverberating in your being? Do you feel it in your throat? It’s in you, placed by Jajireh in your heart and in your mouth. Let it swell like the ocean wave. I am the angel Rinnah, the shout of joy. You are anointed and called to shout His Voice to this land, this world, and to your circumstances.” The hues got richer and brushed against Josiah.

  “The Logos tells you that the shout of joy lifts your head above the enemies around you. Enemies are many now, Josiah. Hear me well. Choose joy. Don’t succumb to the enemies’ lies or their torments.”

  Josiah continued to twirl, unsure if it was by himself or if the colors carried him.

  “The Voice is like the wind, a breeze. It’s a still, small voice, yet a shout traveling around the world, into space, into your heart, into the hands of Jajireh. The wind moves things, changes things. You don’t see where it comes from or where it goes, but you see its effectiveness, its power.”

  The twirling slowed.

  “Josiah, remember the science lesson on lift? The law of lift does not deny the law of gravity, but overcomes it. The law of the spirit of life overcomes the law of the spirit of death. When you pursue Jajireh with your whole heart and keep your joy strong, the deceiving effects of the Twisted One are thwarted.”

  The colors of Rinnah paused. “Josiah, why did your mom not let you feed the stray dog?”

  “Because he would stay,” answered Josiah. “I did feed one, and he stayed.”

  “Exactly. What you feed stays, grows, and dominates. Know Jajireh’s voice, Josiah. Shout His love, authority, mercy, and boldness. King Glory is the LAMB. He gave His life, the sacrificial lamb sent to die that all might live. You have been made the shout to lead the cry to return to King Glory, the LAMB. Let His voice be louder than any other. Let it drive out the lies and death. Be the trumpet of His love and truth.”

  Josiah then found himself standing by the water. The boats with the other LAMBers were almost out of sight. Grandfather was facing him, gazing into his eyes. “Another visitation, my son? How Jajireh has blessed you! Can you share it with me?” Grandfather’s eyes had the look of a hungry man asking for food.

  Josiah nodded. “Yes, Grandfather, it was the angel Rinnah.”

  “The shout of joy!” gasped Grandfather. “Oh, praise to the wonderful King Glory!” He threw his hands into the air and spun in a circle.

  “Yes, the shout of joy, just as you have said.” Josiah smiled and told his grandfather every detail as they climbed the steep trail back to the cabin.

  * * *

  The next morning, they rose early. The colors right before the sun rose were crimson and yellow, filling the sky with beauty. It reminded Josiah of the angel Rinnah the night before. “The colors amaze me, Grandfather. Where have they been?”

  “I think you just weren’t looking. When you have eyes to see, there is so much more revealed. Today we are on a search and rescue mission.” Grandfather placed his hand on Josiah’s shoulder. “You have been equipped. We are going into dangerous territory, but we surely have Jajireh’s protection: His angels, His voice, and His truth. The watchers perhaps are alerted, so we must see without being seen.”

  The two knelt as Grandfather prayed. “O Great Jajireh, the time has come to increase Your family by bringing freedom to the captive. We yield to the purposes and plans You have called us to, and we go out in Your strength and protection. Guide us that we may see those who are Yours.”

  The first stop was to be a morning rally for newcomers to the dark side and those recently retrained. Security would be high as the watchers did not want to lose new recruits. The colony building where Josiah had first met Teleos was the location for this rally. He and Grandfather set out from the home at the tip of the peninsula to walk the five miles to the colony building.

  They stayed to the trails in the woods they both knew so well. Many went right along the upper edge of the high bluffs of the peninsula. Josiah found that Grandfather, though a bit slower in his walking, was sure of foot and had strength and stamina to travel over roots and rocks on the winding trails. He did not slip or falter on the moss or the few leaves that covered the ground. The tall oaks and maples were fully leafed, giving the paths an ethereal feeling. The green, with its slight tints of yellow and orange, appeared to fill the air as well as the trees.

  Josiah struggled with the attempt to quiet his excitement and nervousness. One minute he was ready to shout for joy—the next he shook with nervousness. Will I really be able to do this? What if I totally blow it? How many lives are at stake? In my hands?

  He knew Teleos would be waiting for them, and both Josiah and Grandfather trusted the wisdom of Teleos.

  They paused just off the path where a rock jutted out over the bluff, giving a panoramic view of the bay. Grandfather took out the coffee thermos and the
bagels with hummus. They sat, feet dangling over the side like children on a swing, and partook of their simple breakfast.

  “How did you meet Teleos, Grandfather?”

  “Now that has an interesting answer.” Grandfather munched on his bite of bagel, gazing over the bay. A seagull flew below them with its eyes on the water, searching for its breakfast of fish. Grandfather rubbed his chin and turned toward Josiah. “I really don’t know how I met Teleos. It was kind of crazy.”

  Josiah gulped his coffee and coughed.

  Grandfather slapped him on the back. “It wasn’t that weird, Josiah. Stop choking. This is not a good place for the Heimlich maneuver.”

  Josiah sputtered a minute more. “You’re right, not a good place to send something down the wrong pipe. So you don’t know how you met Teleos?”

  “I went out for a hike one day. I was missing your grandmother, so I went to a spot where we used to sit and talk, pray, or sometimes say nothing. Actually, this is it.” He spread his arms wide. “This rock was our spot. Even when all the grandkids were around and we loved it, we occasionally got weary, so we would come out here. King Glory always refreshed us here. One of your grandma’s favorite verses from the Logos was ‘The voice of Jajireh is on the waters.’ She always felt King Glory would speak to her when she was near the water.”

  Grandfather sipped his coffee. “Notice, Josiah, I’m sipping, not gulping.” He chuckled then went on. “So I came here, hoping I would feel her presence or be comforted or hear the voice of Jajireh on the water like she did. I sat and remembered times together. I cried. Then I laughed when I recalled something she did or said. I knew she was in heaven, that she was happy, but I missed her. I felt Jajireh knew, and He sat here with me. I don’t know if I physically felt His arms around me, but I knew and felt His comfort.”

  Josiah forgot breakfast, forgot the view. He reflected on the sweetness and the firmness of his grandmother, but he was mesmerized that Grandfather would share such personal depths with him.

  Grandfather continued. “Then a breeze kicked up, and I saw ripples on the water. I heard a whisper that seemed like the voice of King Glory. He told me He was sending me a friend, someone who could converse with me on spiritual things like your grandma did. Things were getting difficult spiritually. The watchers were everywhere, people had to wear OGs and shades, and you couldn’t talk about your faith freely. I missed the old days.

  “So it seemed I was going to get a new friend. I sure wasn’t in the market to meet a woman and remarry, so I figured it would be a man about my age, perhaps who had also lost his wife, and we would visit over coffee or take hikes together. That sounded okay, so I got up and headed home.”

  Grandfather picked up the last bagel. “Want half?”

  Josiah shook his head. “Go on, go on,” he urged.

  “Hold on, I need to eat. And I need to move. I’m getting stiff here.”

  Josiah gathered up their few things and helped Grandfather to his feet.

  Grandfather shook his legs and stretched his arms over his head. “I’m good. Now what were we talking about?”

  “About your…”

  Grandfather laughed and slapped him on the back. “I don’t forget that easily, Josiah.”

  The two headed down the wooded path, again gazing at the beauty of the sunlight filtering through the trees and dancing along the path.

  “When I arrived back home, Teleos was sitting on the bench by the pond. I should have been wary, suspicious. Here I was, an older man encountering a strong, younger man on my property without my permission.”

  “How did he get there?”

  Grandfather scratched his head. “You know, I never asked. Or if I did, he never told me. I felt almost like I already knew him. I simply greeted him. I didn’t even do the signal of the circles and smiley face. Can you believe it! I greeted him, shook his hand, and invited him in for lunch. We visited and soon found ourselves talking about King Glory, the Logos, hearing and obeying the Voice.

  “The next thing I knew, four hours had gone by, and Teleos said he had to go but that he would be back. Sometimes he brings LAMBers—often he brings supplies. Sometimes he stays a few days and other times, only hours. He’s a friend—like a son, like a business partner, like a mentor. I’m not sure what role he has, but I know God sent him and that you and I and any other LAMBer can trust him with our lives.”

  FOUR

  A Blast

  Yobel approached the throne. Bowing low, he asked, “Is it time for the blast, O GREAT?”

  Before the magnificence of GREAT’s voice was heard, the reverberation of the boom was felt. “Yes, Yobel, it is time for you, time for the blast of the trumpet.” Under their feet, all of heaven rumbled like the beginning of an avalanche.

  “I have beheld the condition of man, and it has grieved me. However, I perceive a new day approaching. Man is responding to his inner man. He is awakening to the Voice within. The blast of your trumpet, Yobel, is the battle cry of victory. Now that man is again awakening, he must be called to attention to hear and obey that which is true and right.” Joy emanated from GREAT’s voice in waves of laser light, undulating in every color imaginable.

  “You have named me Yobel, the blast of the trumpet.” The angel fell to his knees, creating splashes of orange and red light accompanied by short melodious sounds of an orchestra of trumpets. “But as I send the joyful, victorious call from heaven to the hearts of man, I will give it yabal, the flow. It will be like a wave rising in their inner man, O GREAT. It will flow like the ocean, never stopping. It gives me great joy to do my part in Your great plan.”

  GREAT tapped his foot. Heaven rumbled to the beat. Ocean waves of bright hues flowed all around. Their great mounds and valleys did not consume or overflow any beings nearby but lifted them and twirled them in dance. GREAT dipped His hand in the wave and simultaneously splashed out sound and flashes of color. The sweet scent of lavender clung to the sound and the color. Those near the throne swayed and danced on the gentle waves, caught up in the awesome joy of the moment.

  “May I, O GREAT?” asked Yobel, his voice now resembling resounding music more than voice.

  “Oh, yes!” GREAT beamed, spreading his arms wide as if to send the blast to the far corners of the universe and all that has ever been. “Blast away, Yobel!”

  Yobel opened his mouth and became the sound, the blast. It was the full crescendo of the trumpet, reverberating through time and space, strong and clear while at the same time gentle and undulating. Waves traveled in rolls and spirals and encompassed every color of the rainbow, fluctuating and changing from pastel to brilliant with each wave and each spiral. As the angels nearby peered into the waves, faces on earth could be seen asleep. They awakened to the blast, some peaceful, some startled—but all with understanding.

  Yobel was not done. He became the waves and traveled as liquid drops of gold into the flow of the sound. Every drop found its way into the mouths of all the faces awakening. As they did so, a gentle roar could be heard descending into the depths of the inner man of each person. Eyes got bigger and brighter, and mouths rejoiced and shouted.

  “This is good,” said GREAT softly. “This is so good.” His voice flowed like honey throughout heaven. All those near the throne bowed and sang praise to the Creator Jajireh.

  * * *

  Grandfather and Josiah paused to put on their OGs before approaching the colony. Grandfather’s OGs and hat helped disguise his age. Very few older people attended the colony meetings. Age was not regarded with respect, and most elderly stayed quietly hidden or suffered incarceration and death. Grandfather’s strength and agility also made him look younger, especially from a distance. He was lean and active, but up close, the wrinkles and creases in his face and on his hands belied his somewhat youthful appearance.

  They expected Teleos to be waiting in the pine grove near the building. The pines were damp with mist, and the whole grove rustled with a slight wind. Josiah pulled his jacket closer. He wondered
if Grandfather felt the eerie unsettledness that he sensed. “Are you okay, Grandfather?” he whispered.

  “I’m fine. I’m excited. You okay?” Grandfather gripped Josiah’s arm. “This is the time to trust. Remember who you are, Josiah.” The sense of awe and strength rose up again inside Josiah. He breathed deeply.

  Just then, Teleos detached himself from the shadows and approached the pair with delight in his eyes. “I see greater light in your eyes today, Josiah. Your grandfather has taught you well.”

  “He’s so wise, and I have a lot to learn.”

  Grandfather beamed. “I have waited so long for this. What’s the situation here?”

  They stepped deeper into the pines to keep from being noticed. The music was blaring, but they knew watchers were everywhere.

  “It’s darker. The watchers are restless. They must sense their dominion is being challenged.”

  “Will it come to an end?” asked Josiah.

  Teleos looked deep into Josiah’s eyes. The look penetrated his very being. “Perhaps,” answered Teleos. “As you may know, my name means, ‘It is finished.’ It was King Glory’s cry as His earthly life was taken. It was also the cry of generals long ago, as they saw that the battle was won though not quite over. They would shout it, rallying the troops for the final blow. Over time, we have come to translate Teleos into Tally Ho.”

  Josiah smiled, remembering games as a child and shouting, “Tally Ho.”

  Teleos continued. “As I gaze into your inner man, Josiah, I feel the shout arise within me. It’s because I know you are chosen to assist the awakening and restoration of the reign of the inner man. We are close, Josiah, very close to seeing a decline in the Twisted One’s domination. I am sensing a strong stirring of the inner man. Jajireh is working with us and guiding us. There are many to be rescued and restored. We must be wise, for the Twisted One will amp up his methods and work to enslave even more.”

  Grandfather smiled. “Now, you and Teleos will scout out the colony meeting. I will remain here, praying and shouting within. If I go with you, they will be immediately suspicious if they notice my age. Teleos has established good relationships with many of the watchers and is able to detect LAMBers before they do and direct the LAMBers to safety. Go now, and may Jajireh guide you.”