“That’s ever and ever and ever. Don’t you forget it,” said Timmy.
“But the shout?”
“It’s loud, but it’s inside,” Timmy instructed. “You shout what the Voice tells you because King Glory’s already inside. He knows the Logos and where you need to go and what you need to do.”
“We still remember some words of the Logos.” The young people had gathered around Lily, Timmy, and Lijah. Tentatively, they reached out and touched Lily and Timmy’s arms. Cracked and dirty skin made their fingers rough and made Lily want to cry at the injustice.
“Then shout the words inside. That’s what brings the shiny friends. That’s what they told me,” Lijah insisted. “When you say the Logos and obey the Voice, Jajireh sends them to help.”
“Well, we need to get out of here. What should we shout?”
Lily turned to two of them. She took their rough and gritty hands in hers. Their shoulders slumped and shook at her kind touch. The others pressed closer and grabbed each other’s hands. A thousand images flashed in front of Lily. Times with her parents and other LAMBers holding hands and hugging each other. It brought joy and deep pain at the same time. Will I ever hug Mom again?
Seeing her mother’s comforting, strong eyes within herself bolstered Lily. She must now be the one to comfort and instruct. She straightened her shoulders and swiveled slowly, looking each one in the eyes. “Shout this: We’re blessed coming in, and we’re blessed going out. He leads me in paths of righteousness. He restores my soul. Even though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for You, King Glory, are with me.”
Tears of joy formed in the eyes of several. They repeated the words, and some began to shout. Lily went from one to another, hugging then taking each by the shoulders to give them her mother’s look, one that communicated encouragement and transferred strength. Lily had so longed for her mother to be with her and give her that look that provided strength and love. How interesting that I am now giving the strength I so needed.
“So where’s the angel?” asked the youngest boy. His hair was grimy and his eyes sunken.
“He’ll be here when and if we need him. But it’s time to go. I can feel a push on my inside.” Lijah glanced down and patted his stomach. “Right here.” When Lijah looked up, he took charge. “We have to go to where the outside speakers are. The shout is the way out. The place where their shout is…that’s our way out.”
“I get it. The loudspeakers.” Timmy jumped up and down.
“King Glory is so cool!” exclaimed Lily as she linked arms with a young man and woman and twirled.
“Wait.” Lijah held up his arm. Everyone stilled instantly. “We have to go now, and we have to go quietly.”
“Lijah’s right. All shouting is on the inside now. Lijah knows exactly where we need to go. Is everyone ready?”
Everyone followed Lijah through the door. Timmy stood by the door with his finger across his mouth to indicate the need for silence. Some of the LAMBers high-fived Timmy as they went by. Others crossed their arms close to their chests as if holding themselves together and keeping themselves strong.
Lily brought up the rear, locking the door behind her, hoping watchers who might come by would suspect that everyone was still inside.
* * *
“O GREAT, the humans you have made have blessed us.” Halal danced with SheMah, Rinnah, and Rhema before the throne. “They have received our support and heeded our words. They seem amazed with us, yet we remain amazed at them. They are truly wonderfully and fearfully made.”
“Oh, yes.” The Great Creator Jajireh beamed. Shafts of light already brighter than the brightest star flashed with even more light as He nodded. Colors zoomed like laser points within the shaft. “I have crowned them with my glory. King Glory gave His life that they might shine. There are many who have not yet heard the joyful sound, but the numbers are increasing. I am pleased.”
When GREAT said, “I am pleased,” thunder and sunshine increased instantly. All around the throne, foundations rumbled and light flowed from every direction. Rainbows sparkled and crisscrossed each other.
“We thank You, O GREAT, for making us part of this magnificent plan for Your sons to once again reign on the earth. It is an honor to be sent.” Rhema boomed his praise.
With a twinkle in His eye that exploded like fireworks, GREAT smiled. “This is just a new beginning to that which has always been. The ways of man will once again hold the ways of truth in the inward parts. In that day, there will be great celebration.”
Halal, SheMah, Rinnah, and Rhema bowed, flowing backward from the throne with great reverence and awe.
They continued to marvel at the wondrous happenings of which they were a part.
“What is man that GREAT is so mindful of him?” asked Halal, swooping back and forth before the others, creating rainbow streams of color and light.
“I too wonder,” SheMah added, his eyes following Halal’s movement.
“I was there when the first man was made,” Rhema said thoughtfully. “It was the spoken word, for which I am named, that brought the earth into being.”
“And I,” said Rinnah, “was there as well, for He placed the shout of joy, the breath of Himself in the form of the Voice, within them. It is what gave them life, and it is that for which I am named.” Rinnah swooped alongside Halal, adding joyful music to the streams of light.
“And He blessed them with the desire to worship Him outrageously. That is the meaning of my name,” added Halal. “He blessed them so they could bless Him, and in doing so, bless each other.”
“A wonderful plan,” whispered SheMah, “a wonderful system of being.” He spread his arms, radiating Rinnah and Halal’s lights in every direction.
“But your name, SheMah, is their part and where they failed. They did not hear and obey.” The others paused as Rhema spoke.
SheMah continued in the praise of GREAT’s plan for man. “Yes, but King Glory came and showed them the way. And He showed them the meaning of His Father’s name. Jajireh is the great and mighty one, who sees ahead and provides. He planned creation and brought everything together, giving His Son, King Glory, to die for them, so life could be theirs. Jajireh is truly the one and only GREAT!”
“And they returned to Jajireh and walked as inner men knowing who they were.” Rhema’s voice boomed across heaven. “But the deceiver, the Twisted One, began again his work to deceive. And they came to believe the lie.”
“How? How could it happen?” Halal stopped dancing.
“Little by little.”
“And soon the entire world was again dark.”
“And I was bored. So little to do.” Halal sighed deeply, remembering.
“Yes, but GREAT was sad, and His heart and eyes continually scanned the earth, looking for even one whose heart was open to him, who still held truth in the inner man, who had not forgotten.”
“It was Josiah’s grandfather, right?” Rinnah skipped. Everywhere her feet touched, music and praise arose from the surface of heaven.
“Yes, he and a few others stood in the gap and made up the hedge by believing and shouting in the inner man, praying for the Great Creator Jajireh’s plans and purposes in the earth.”
“So we’re back to work.” Halal was swooping again.
“Yes, we are, all praise to GREAT.” All the angels danced, sending light and music full of color throughout heaven.
SEVEN
Rescue
Josiah and Zack arrived at the colony, complete in OGs, shades, and an attitude of confidence. They had prayed together and reminded each other that they were complete in King Glory, that Jajireh lived big within them, and that the Voice was ever present in their ears and minds. They shouted within themselves these and other truths from the Logos as they proceeded through the doors of the colony meeting. Anyone, and probably everyone present, was a watcher.
Both young men kept their eyes basically downcast but walked with a bit of a swagger, as did so many
of the colony. Both also rehearsed in their minds the details of belonging to the Society of the L.A.M.B. L was Love, the gift of Jajireh, demonstrated and given through the life of King Glory. It was Love that gave life, Love that set one free to forgive, and Love that caused one to be all that he was designed to be.
A, Authority, was bestowed on man so he could rule in this life as King Glory did when He was on earth. This was a tall order, only possible by dwelling with the Voice resonate within. Authority made it possible to defeat and nullify the work of the Twisted One.
Mercy was the M. It was a contractual right because of the covenant drafted with King Glory. While Love was a gift, Mercy was a right, not to be demanded but rather to be expected because one was in the Authority and Love of King Glory. Mercy was the lovingkindness, allowing one to see beyond the outer man, past the OGs, to the need of the individual. It was the right to live in peace and help others do so as well.
Boldness, the confidence to do and be all that Jajireh planned and purposed, was the B. It was the courage to walk in all that Jajireh provided and the freedom from fear in obeying him.
Zach and Josiah knew they were on assignment, though it was expected that Josiah take the lead with Zach covering his back.
Search and rescue, search and rescue. The words reverberated in Josiah’s mind. Okay, King Glory, for whom am I searching? People were everywhere, and they jostled each other as they went by. Some wanted to fight. Others wanted to dance or yell obscenities.
“He feeds His flock among the lilies,” next played through Josiah’s mind. He tried to blot it out, knowing it as a passage in the Logos about Jajireh’s provision for His people. It did not seem appropriate for the immediate need. The phrase, “And Elijah went up like the whirlwind,” followed right on the heels of the lilies passage.
I will hear what King Glory says to me! Josiah shouted within. He stopped short of rebuking the seeming random thoughts, because he knew they were from the Logos.
All around him, loud music pounded while the lights tore back and forth in his eyes despite the shades. As the music’s beat pulsed within his chest, he recalled how often he had enjoyed the rush, the intensity of this type of setting. Now he fought to hear inside, despite the assault upon his senses. I will hear and obey the Voice! He shouted the words within. Again he heard the passages about lilies and Elijah.
Grandfather will be so disappointed. I’m such a mess. Josiah blinked and reassessed. No, that’s not true. Grandfather will be pleased. So will Jajireh, for I will do and accomplish that which I’m sent to do.
It was so crowded that movement was difficult. Josiah stopped and glanced up. Two sets of eyes were upon him. Watchers. He glanced over at Zach. He too had detected the observers. Josiah pretended to let the music move him and turned to those near him as if he was a part of their group. When he felt he could move on, he tripped over someone’s foot.
The offended party grabbed his shirt. “You want something, man? I can take you out right now.”
Before Josiah could respond, Zach stepped between the two. “There you are,” he shouted. Turning to the guy who wanted to fight, but not looking straight at him, Zach told him, “Too much to drink. Can’t hold it. I keep telling him. C’mon, bro.” With that, Zach yanked Josiah away and pushed him ahead until they were twenty feet away.
“Thanks, man.” Josiah smiled a bit sheepishly at Zach.
“Focus.” Zach tipped his head at Josiah and returned to his detecting.
“Zach, is that you?” A young man tapped his shoulder. Josiah and Zach glanced at the young man. He looked strong, tall, but nonthreatening.
Josiah glanced at his eyes. Perhaps a flicker of life, but not much.
“Zach, I’m Jeremy. We grew up together.”
“Hey, man, I do remember you. What are you up to these days?”
“I’m a watcher over at the retraining facility. Mostly LAMBer kids.”
Zach said nothing, but every muscle tightened.
Josiah shouted within. King Glory, take charge here. Give us wisdom.
Jeremy looked around. He shifted his feet and spoke in almost a whisper. “Can’t believe I’m doing this.” He seemed to be talking to himself. “Okay, Zach.” He looked up. “I remember your parents. I, uh, we—” He gestured toward another young man, standing near. “—want to help get them out of there.”
The watcher who tried to pick a fight with Josiah sauntered by. After he tossed a couple obscenities at Josiah, Zach again grabbed Josiah like he was drunk and said, “Let’s get some fresh air.” He nodded at Jeremy and his friend to follow. As they stepped outside, he turned to Jeremy.
Jeremy clearly was attempting to stay calm, but he kept gesturing with his hands up and down. “We have to get them out of there before they die, but they have to have a safe place to go. Do you have one?” Jeremy rubbed the back of his neck and took a deep breath. “I know this sounds suspicious, but—”
Zach cut him off. “Jeremy, this is Josiah. He has a safe place. Quickly, go get them if you can. Wait in the woods. We’re here for a while, but we’ll find you. Go.” Zach walked back into the metal building with Josiah. “This is a dangerous one,” he whispered to Josiah. “Let’s trust Jajireh to make it happen.”
“Think it’s a setup?” Josiah didn’t look at Zach, because he was busy looking for watchers and possible rescues.
“Don’t think so. I did know him as a kid. We both had LAMBer parents. Don’t know where he is in those terms. I can’t imagine him getting those kids out of there, though.”
Josiah shouted inside for Jeremy and the kids. Jajireh, help them. All things are possible to those who believe. We believe You are doing this. Help them. All the while, Josiah and Zach walked and scanned to detect those who might be ready to be rescued.
* * *
As the little band of LAMBers snaked their way down the hallways, Lily was surprised no one was around. King Glory, I hope this is Your doing. I sure hope it isn’t a trap. Maybe the watchers have been observing us the whole time. Jajireh, I trust You. Please help us.
Arriving at the outside loudspeakers near the pond, they looked around but saw nothing to indicate a way out of the compound. These kids had not been outside in weeks, perhaps months. They paused, and Lily prayed aloud, “We thank You, Jajireh, for always causing us to triumph in King Glory,” She turned to her new friends. “I want each of you to shout that prayer inside you. Proclaim triumph in King Glory.”
“We will. Thank you,” several of them whispered together.
Just then, Lily saw two watchers walking toward them. Her hopes fell immediately, and fear rose. One girl began to cry.
Seeing the fear in her eyes, Lily whispered, “Don’t say it. Don’t think it. He’s not given us the spirit of fear. He has made a way of escape.”
Lijah quickly went into his act of playing dumb as the two watchers came through the doors. “Want to play? Isn’t it a nice day to play outside? Do you have a ball we could use?”
“Lijah, relax, it’s us.”
Lijah looked up. It was Alex and Jeremy. “Whew! It is you, and I’m glad. We sure would have been down the drain if it wasn’t you. Lily, Timmy, these are the two I told you about. They’re friends.”
The gasps of relief all around were way too loud, Lily thought.
“We just returned from the colony. We’ll take you there. You’ll connect with a man named Josiah, who will take all of you to a safe place. We’re glad you’re already out of your rooms as there’s not that much time.”
The oldest of the group stepped forward. “Aren’t all the watchers at the colony? Why would we go there? This is too suspicious. Maybe we should go back.”
“No. We just met Josiah,” Jeremy told them. “He was with a friend we knew when we were kids. His parents were well-known LAMBers. I recognized Zach and told him we needed help. We asked if he knew a safe place for you guys. His friend Josiah’s place is safe. Alex and I have been saying we wanted to get you out of here, but we had n
o idea what to do. This is very strange to us, but here you are, ready to go.”
The oldest held his ground. “I’m sorry. It sounds like a trap.”
Immediately, a wall of water appeared all around them. It was as if they were on the inside of a waterfall, but no one was wet.
“Whoa!” Jeremy’s eyes were big.
The three girls spun around, reaching out to touch the water that completely surrounded them. “This is so cool!”
The oldest one stepped closer. “Is this the angel, Lily?”
“Lijah, is this the watery one you told us about?”
“This is way cool!”
Lijah grinned and laughed. “Oh yes, and a cool way out.”
Gracefully the waterfall enclosed them, and all were funneled into what seemed a tunnel slide. A floating sensation enveloped Lily. She didn’t feel wet. She closed her eyes at first then realized she did not want to miss a thing. She snapped her eyes open. Everyone was around her, sliding down and around the funnel. No one bumped her, but she could see all of them. Some went by her, and she passed some. Soon all put their hands up in praise and pure delight.
Then, just as suddenly, they were in the woods. They stood near the compound wall where the colony meetings were held.
Lijah laughed and danced. “Yes, yes, yes. We didn’t retrain, but we went down the drain, and we’re out with a shout.”
Everyone joined in the joyful dance. Then, almost as quickly, they quieted down, realizing they were in a dangerous place and without OGs or shades.
The watcher friends scanned their surroundings. Alex shook his head. “We’re here, and a little sooner than I thought. That was weird but cool.”
Jeremy turned to all the LAMBers. “We need to go find Josiah. Like we said, he’ll get you to a safe place, and this is not it. Let’s get over by the trees. Stay quiet. If indeed that was your angel, Lijah, and I don’t know what else it could have been, he should be able to keep you hidden until Josiah can get you out of here.”
Lily signaled them to follow her to a space between the trees and the wall. Everyone’s eyes were still big in shock and relief. They were out of the retraining facility. Escapees. Not sure if they were truly free, they were nervous. Having experienced the miracle of escape through nothing less than a water funnel, or a water tunnel, their expressions reflected amazement.
Society of the L.A.M.B. Page 9