Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  “Grandfather,” Josiah protested back then, “I’m sore, but I could have been seriously injured. My ribs, my head, my knees could have easily struck a rock.”

  “All the more reason to thank Jajireh for protecting you.”

  Josiah paused as he recalled the occasion. Grandfather was right. I should have listened. Kin

  Glory, thank You for protecting me then, and especially now.

  Josiah studied the path. So many times he had walked it, stumbled, played, and yes, fallen flat on his face. It was a place he loved, and he felt that it belonged to him. And then he heard the leaves whisper, “The angels, indeed, will uphold you.”

  As he neared the colony meeting building, Bart again greeted him first. As usual, Bart’s arms gave Josiah pause. They could really crush me. Glad Bart likes me. Josiah still had hope that Bart would become a LAMBer. He detected the gentleness underneath Bart’s tough exterior.

  Josiah always felt the bluster was merely a front, but Bart so wanted to be a superb outer man that he worked extra hard to talk the colony line. Perhaps it was too late for restoration.

  “No fear,” he heard within.

  Yes, You’re right. I cannot fear. For me or for Bart. King Glory, please restore him. By faith, I see him as a LAMBer worshipping and serving You.

  “Josiah! What’s up, man? Don’t see you around enough. Too many outer man excursions?” He laughed and slapped Josiah on the back.

  “Why don’t you join us, Bart?” Josiah looked straight into Bart’s eyes, almost challenging him to see the life in Josiah’s eyes despite the shades.

  There was a flicker in Bart’s eyes.

  Do I see life?

  Bart looked away, and his body tensed.

  Josiah felt his struggle.

  Bart’s hands went to fists, and the muscles in his neck tightened and seemed to pop out. A creeping red rose from his neck. When he next looked at Josiah, he growled, “You watch your back, man.”

  Josiah stood his ground, not flinching. King Glory, Your protection is upon me. No weapon formed against me can prosper. I call Bart into Your Kingdom. He looked again at Bart. “Really, you should join us, Bart. You’ve always been a good friend.”

  This time, Bart began to shake. It was only a slight tremor, but Josiah could see it.

  “They’ve got me pretty busy here. I’ve gotten a couple of promotions.” He smiled, but it was paltry. “So I don’t get a lot of free time.”

  “Bart, I’m proud of you. That’s great.” Josiah reached out to put his arm across Bart’s shoulders.

  Bart’s thick arms came up, ready to push Josiah away. “Enough with the touchy-feely. I’ve got work to do. See ya around.” He stomped away.

  Josiah observed him stop and talk to some other watchers. Each, one by one, glanced toward Josiah. He could feel their eyes narrow as they looked at him, even though he couldn’t see their eyes. Their foreheads had definite wrinkles of concentration. No, I see consternation. Their mouths pursed.

  Well, King Glory, that would have made me nervous at one time, but I feel very bold now.

  Josiah remembered the words of Rhema, “Jajireh is your foundation. It is time to shout.” He straightened his shoulders as Bart’s compatriots sauntered toward him. The building was filling with people outfitted in bizarre OGs and sporting the ever-required shades. The music was also getting louder and sounded out of sync. Maybe they’re playing two songs at once now. The smells of sweaty bodies and a building rarely cleaned assaulted Josiah’s nostrils.

  Oh, yes, I’m blessed. I’m protected. I shout Your praise, Jajireh. You are the foundation. I am rooted to You. Nothing can separate me from You. May You be glorified in this place.

  Three faces appeared in front of Josiah’s. Too close. Foul breath.

  “Josiah, how you doing, man? Bart tells us you’ve been partaking of some fine outer man excursions. Is that right?”

  “I’ve had some great adventures.”

  “We’d like to hear about them. In fact, we think everyone would like to hear. Come on up on stage.”

  It was not a request. They grabbed his arms and escorted him to the stage.

  A big trap. Now what? No fear. This is an opportunity.

  One of the men signaled to have the music stop. Everyone turned toward the stage. “Hey, everyone, we have a real treat. Josiah here is going to tell us some of his outer man excursions. Listen up.”

  There were whistles and cheers and laughter. “Give it up, man. Tell us every detail.”

  Josiah smiled, sweeping his hand across the audience. “Hey, everyone. Outer man excursions are on the rise.”

  Cheers and clapping filled the room. “Don’t we know it!” one called.

  “Life is definitely more fun now with no regulations, don’t you think?” Josiah addressed the audience, putting a hand to his ear to encourage their response.

  The applause and cheers continued.

  “No inner man is cool, right?”

  “You got that right!”

  “But it’s not complete yet, is it?” Josiah started to reel in the line.

  “Right, we want more. We want more,” they chanted.

  “Some of you still have a flicker of inner life, and you want to stomp it out.”

  The crowd stomped their feet. “Yes, yes, stomp it out!”

  “But you were made to live.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” some continued to yell.

  But much of the cheering waned. Josiah could see confusion. They looked at each other and back at him. He had their attention. Many colony members, even in their shades and OGs, appeared almost hungry to hear what Josiah would say next. The main watchers had every muscle tensed.

  Josiah waited. At last he shouted, “You were made to live! Forget man’s rules!”

  Looks of relief and definite relaxation went through the crowd. But Josiah sensed the hunger and attention were still present. It was like a cloud descended, and no one could move—colony attendees or watchers.

  “Forget the rules of the outer men and let your inner man live!”

  Josiah saw rage mount in the watchers. Faces reddened. Lips pursed and cursed. Neck muscles twitched in glaring red. But they did not move.

  Maybe they can’t move. Thank You, King Glory.

  “It’s time to be restored. King Glory came to give you life. The outer man only destroys life. It kills you. You’re dying, and you know it. Grab that bit of life still in you and know the reality of life and living. All you have to do is call on King Glory. He will restore you and give meaning and purpose to your life.”

  That was when he heard the growl. It rose from the watchers. Colony members stood as though they didn’t know what to do. A few started to take off their shades but quickly came to their senses and put them back on.

  Josiah knew some had heard and responded. Flickers of light turned into small flames inside some of the people. However, the watchers moved toward him. He didn’t have to look at them. He could feel their rage burning.

  “Go now!” said the Voice inside him.

  Josiah stepped off the stage, and the people parted, letting him pass. The scene happened as if in slow motion. The cloud appeared more visible now, making the building foggy. The music started up but sounded muffled, and watchers were chasing him, though slowly.

  Josiah went straight to the door. He felt hands on his back, but they weren’t grabbing him to arrest him but patting him, thanking him. When he stepped outside, Teleos was there.

  “I knew you were here,” Josiah whispered.

  All of a sudden, Teleos’s eyes hardened and he grabbed Josiah.

  “What?!” Josiah was now confused.

  “I’ve got him. I will personally take him to the prison.”

  Josiah struggled, startled, but Teleos held him tight. He was much stronger than Josiah realized.

  Bart and the others were there. “Can’t talk like that, Si.” He was the only one who looked disappointed in Josiah’s fate. He just shook his head.
r />   The others cheered and spit on Josiah. “You are so dead. Just kill him and be done with it.”

  Teleos half dragged, half pushed Josiah down the road and into the woods as watchers cheered.

  Almost immediately, the music roared, and Josiah heard yelling about the outer man blasting throughout the steel building. Damage control.

  Teleos finally stopped after they were well into the woods. He smiled. Josiah studied him for several seconds, still a bit unsure. Then they both burst out laughing.

  “Did you see that cloud? Teleos, I had no idea I was going to do that.” The words ran out like a burst water main. “I had no fear. King Glory is awesome. I knew I was supposed to come. Probably good I didn’t know. Just thought I was going to do a rescue. There must have been angels. I’ll shut up now.” Josiah took a deep breath and sobered. “Okay, some people probably were restored, and now they’re in danger.”

  “I will return and find them. We’ll get them back to Grandfather’s. You need to go there, now.”

  “But you’re supposed to be taking me to prison.”

  “I’ll tell them that you did your magic trick thing with the cloud and escaped.”

  “Teleos, they won’t believe you. You’ll get arrested.”

  Teleos smiled. “Josiah, the cloud was real. Several of them had encounters with our good friends, the angels, and they won’t question me.”

  “I probably can never go back there, can I?”

  “Actually, I think you will be able to go there again. Jajireh will provide the protection. But wait until He tells you. Don’t be arrogantly bold, be Jajireh-led bold. There’s a difference. Now get back to Grandfather’s. Send Zach back with the boat, and I’ll tell my story of your escape. Then I will detect and contact those restored tonight.”

  “Teleos, I think there are those who weren’t restored tonight, but their outer man foundation got cracked.”

  “Yes, they were shaken, and their outer man is crumbling. Now go and pray and shout with everyone at Grandfather’s while I go rescue. Don’t forget to send Zach.”

  “I won’t.”

  Josiah began to run. His heart was full. I don’t think this will ever feel commonplace. It’s too exhilarating. His feet flew over the roots and rocks, slippery leaves, and pine needles. He didn’t have a glow like Nathan, Drew, and Jacob did when they rescued the Fischers, but he was acutely aware of where he was and where he needed to go. His mind drifted once more to the time he fell flat in the dirt. It must have been an angel wing that caught him. I know I’m not falling tonight. If anything, I’m flying. Thank You, King Glory. You are so awesome!

  When he arrived, breathless, everyone was on alert. They had sensed something was up and had already been praying. Josiah related briefly what had happened, and before he could finish, Zach said, “I’m on my way. Blessings on us all.”

  All the LAMBers fell to their knees. Some lay on the floor on their faces. They prayed and shouted as if with one voice. The unity in their cry was unmistakable.

  “Jajireh, protect Teleos. Be with Zach. Restore, restore those at the colony. Protect them from the watchers. Help Teleos to get them here safely. Praise You, Jajireh.”

  * * *

  Hours later, they arrived by boat with Zach and Teleos. There were five, and one of them had been a watcher, another old friend of Josiah’s.

  “I actually came here with Josiah once when we were much younger,” he said as he entered Grandfather’s home. “I totally forgot this house was here. Man, Josiah, you shook the place tonight. There are only five of us now, but there will be more. Some are a little too freaked out to get fully restored just yet.”

  Josiah embraced his old friend. “Casey, you talk like you’ve been a LAMBer for a while.”

  “Teleos and Zach have been teaching us for the last few hours. What a relief. I mean, I know I could go to jail, but I couldn’t live like that much longer. It was so fake, so depressing, so contrived. I guess however long I get away with this, I’m going to enjoy it. I’m sorry. I haven’t stopped talking. You must be Josiah’s granddad. It’s a pleasure to meet you again, sir. Sorry to barge in like this so late.”

  “We are delighted to have you. Please come in and get some food. We actually got breakfast hungry even though it’s not quite morning, so we have pancakes and eggs, even some bacon, in the kitchen.”

  “I could smell it when we tied up the boat. I’ve been salivating all the way up the bluff.” Zach headed straight for the kitchen. “Come on, you guys, I’m starved.”

  ELEVEN

  Life

  Everyone gathered around the big table on Grandfather’s porch.

  Grandfather stood. “This is so marvelous to have you all here together. There is much work to do and much good already done. We must always trust Jajireh to lead and guide us.”

  The table was covered with plates and bowls of grapes, strawberries, and sliced apples. Cheese was sliced and placed on plates with crackers. Never was there a lack of food in this house. Zach and Teleos provided constant additions to his storage supply, and Grandfather suspected occasional miraculous increase.

  The wind blew lightly, making the trees rustle. The fountain in the little pond on Grandfather’s patio could barely be heard above the wind. Birds and hummingbirds came and went, slowly emptying the many bird feeders Grandfather diligently kept filled. Grandfather had begun to train Timmy and Lijah to keep them adequately supplied.

  “We must know the Logos, for it is like a telescope giving us eyes to see the eternal. What we see in the natural is temporary, subject to change. But the eternal is the reality. It is fixed, established. And when we look through the light of the Logos, we see the inversion that a telescope makes as the lines of sight cross at the focal point. We then, with Jajireh, see the end from the beginning. We see His plans and purposes. With that in sight, we proclaim His plans and purposes, pray them, speak them to each other and to Him. And we shout them within. Our speaking is a catalyst to bring them to pass.”

  As Grandfather taught, he walked. His cowboy boots clunk-clunked on the hardwood floors, and he gestured with his arms spanning wide. Josiah loved to watch him instruct. He was so passionate, yet so calm. Am I like that? Could I be?

  “Oh, dear LAMBers, we are approaching the time when all will be fulfilled, the time of the revealing of the sons of Jajireh, the fullness of time. Then will come the final shout, and we shall see Jajireh face to face.” Grandfather paused and looked up.

  I think he sees heaven. I hope he doesn’t go too soon. Jajireh, we need him here.

  “Until that time comes, we must be diligent to believe and to obey. He will free us and sustain us. Those in prison will be strengthened and perhaps set free.” Grandfather smiled at the Fischers. “At the time of the revealing, Jajireh will again have free reign on earth. After that is the final shout. Be encouraged. We are well able to be who we were created to be until that day.”

  Those gathered nodded as their eyes followed Grandfather back and forth, listening with as much focus as they could. Lijah began to hum. Soon everyone was humming and singing praise to Jajireh. The evening continued with good food and good teaching.

  * * *

  Josiah woke from a dream. He tried to remember it, but it wouldn’t come. So many dreams had been visitations from angels. Why couldn’t he remember this one? Did I dream, King Glory? Did You tell me something that I’ve already forgotten?

  There was a whisper. “Bart needs you. Go to him. Go to the colony again tomorrow. Fear not. I will protect you.”

  Bart? Okay? I’ll go.

  Almost immediately, Josiah was asleep again. This time, he walked in heavenly places. Beautiful breezes full of colorful wisps. Gorgeous rivers flowing with liquid gold. Josiah’s grandmother was young again, in her prime. She came to him and held his hands and just looked at him.

  “You should see Amber, Grandma,” he told her joyfully. “She looks just like you.”

  Grandma beamed. “I’m so glad, Josiah. I h
ear good things about my grandchildren. Take good care of your grandfather.” Then she appeared to float away.

  Josiah was fascinated with the ease of movement. All he had to do was think of a place, and he was there…

  The dream was over too soon. He woke with the sun streaming in on him. He heard voices downstairs.

  Then urgency struck. Wait. I have to go to the colony today. Bart needs me. It spurred him to dress more swiftly.

  After breakfast, Josiah told Grandfather about his dream.

  Grandfather’s face lit up when he described seeing Grandma. “Oh, son, that does my heart good. I sure know I have much to do here. But it’s nice to know that she is in my future, not only in my past. Thanks, Josiah.”

  “You’re welcome, Grandfather, but I need to tell you something else. King Glory spoke clearly to me, before the dream, that I needed to go to the colony again, that Bart needs me.”

  Grandfather sat down. “Go in the Spirit, Josiah. Listen closely to the Voice. You could have been killed last time. I know Jajireh has chosen you for this, but I want you to be sure to have His protection.”

  “He told me to not fear, that He would protect me.”

  Grandfather stood and pulled Josiah to him, embracing him. “Jajireh, he is Yours, but he’s my grandson, too. Take care of him.” Grandfather choked back tears. They clung onto each other for another minute. “Okay, then. That’s settled. Josiah, you follow the Voice. I’ll be praying and shouting.”

  * * *

  Josiah set out through the woods on his usual walk toward the colony. He prayed and shouted, “Bart is restored. Alex and Jeremy, too. King Glory, thank You for leading and guiding me today. Cover every detail. Put Your words in my mouth. I yield to Your direction, Your purposes, Your plans. May Bart fulfill Your plan. Turn outer men into inner men. Bring life where there is now death. Oh, thank You, Jajireh. What a privilege to be Yours, to be in Your Kingdom, to serve You.”

  The filtered light through the leaves and branches danced upon Josiah eyes and upon the path he walked. He felt his inner man dancing too. Bart, my good friend, will now be serving Jajireh.