Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  “So they heard everything I said?”

  “Yes, and what you said to them was truth and directed by Jajireh. It will take root, and each of them will hear it over and over in their inner man. It will accomplish the purpose of Jajireh, who would have all men come to the knowledge of the truth.”

  The wind now slightly pushed Josiah, and he knew he was being directed by the angel SheMah. Again, flecks of light glimmered on the soft breeze.

  “You must now return to the boat. It is time. Continue to listen to the Voice within. Know your foundation is of Jajireh but that you are a major part of the foundation of the Society of the L.A.M.B. The Lamb is King Glory, who has given His great life for the life of the world. Do not forget to walk in the LAMB—Love, Authority, Mercy, and Boldness. They are yours. Share them. Teach them. Carry on your grandfather’s heritage.”

  Before he fully realized he had returned the way he came, Josiah saw the boat and the LAMBers waiting for him. They had found a small area on the rocky beach where logs were lodged and huge rocks stood. They were seated together and singing softly. Barely knowing most of them, he already felt strong connections, cords binding them together in purpose and friendship.

  Josiah sang with them as he approached. “We are one in Jajireh, His blessing flowing strong. We are one in King Glory, His life in us a song. We are bound to the LAMB. We give our lives as He showed us—with love, authority, mercy, and boldness. We are free, we are LAMBers. We are free, we are LAMBers. Our inner garments are made from purest gold. With love, authority, and mercy, we are bold.”

  Josiah related his walk with SheMah. Everyone shouted and rejoiced. While still on the rocky shore, they shared some food Grandfather sent.

  They gazed out at the lake. Silvery moonlight created a path on the water.

  “If King Glory were here, He could walk on that path,” Josiah pointed out.

  “He certainly could,” responded Zach. “King Glory can do anything. He made this water, that moon, the characteristic of reflection. It’s not only a pretty picture. It’s alive and self-perpetuating. The water does not violate this shoreline, yet energy flows through the water creating waves, giving current, keeping it from being stagnant.”

  Lijah came over and laid his hand on Zach’s shoulder. “You are very smart, Mr. Zach. I like you. Tell us more.”

  “I like you too, Lijah. Well, the wind allows oxygen to enter the water. Fish are able to remain underwater and take oxygen from the water through their gills. When it freezes, the ice expands rather than getting more dense as most substances do, so it rises, and flowing water underneath allows life to continue. The seasons come and go year after year after year, and life continues, never stopping.”

  Amazed, every person studied the bay, the sky, the trees with their leaves, and the beach with sand and rocks. One pointed up as an eagle soared overhead in an effortless glide.

  “The creative ability of King Glory to engineer all this is mind staggering. Just think of it. Consider the engineering, the continual reenergizing. And His brilliant, creative mind dwells in us. In us! Why should anything be difficult?”

  “That’s so amazing,” Josiah replied. “And it’s humbling and exciting. Why does so much seem difficult, then, if the greatest and most creative problem solver is truly in us?”

  A few shifted their positions on the beach and the rocks, but not one averted their attention from Zach and Josiah. They nodded and smiled. Most of all, they listened intently, trying to grasp what was being said.

  “It’s just like the OGs. We try to cover up the truth, deny it, choose not to believe it. We don’t fully believe the Logos that the One inside us is greater than the one that is in the world.”

  Zach stood and picked up a smooth, small stone. Holding it level between his thumb and forefinger, he sent it flying out over the water. It skipped five times before stopping. Everyone clapped.

  Lily picked up a stone and, before throwing, turned to Zach. “I believe it. How do I access it?”

  The others nodded, wanting to know as well.

  “In the Book of Songs, it says that we need to appropriate our provision so that glory may dwell in our land.”

  “Appropriate our provision?”

  “Josiah, you know you’re forgiven by King Glory?”

  “Certainly.”

  “His provision for us is even more. It includes healing, deliverance, wholeness, completeness. In fact, the name Jajireh means ‘the mighty one who sees ahead and provides.’ He has provided everything we could ever need.”

  “But how do we appropriate all of those?” asked Lily again.

  “How did you appropriate forgiveness?”

  “I asked and believed and received,” Lily replied.

  “Did you keep it to yourself?”

  “Not really. I spoke it,” Lily commented.

  “But most places that’s really dangerous,” responded Timmy.

  “Oh, I know we must be careful in most places to not voice our faith to the enemy. However, we must give faith a voice. We must speak. We don’t just silently receive forgiveness.”

  “True,” said Josiah. “‘If you believe and confess with your mouth’ is what it says in the Logos.”

  “Exactly.” Zach paused to survey each of the group. He had picked up another stone and now tossed it back and forth from hand to hand. His blond hair tumbled over his forehead as he talked. “We must believe all of Jajireh’s provision and confess it with our mouths. We must speak it, even if only we ourselves hear it, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Logos of Jajireh. And we need to consider when we think we lack something that is included in His promise. Am I believing and speaking the lie of the Twisted One, or am I believing and speaking the truth of Jajireh that King Glory died to give me?”

  “So,” concluded Josiah, “we need to speak all the provisions we have from Jajireh in order to have them.”

  “Yes.” Zach sent another stone zinging, skipping only three times over the water. “And it’s often a progression. We don’t walk in everything immediately, but we grow in it. We have it all, but we fill up at different rates. Do you remember the chemistry experiment with iodic acid and starch water? Both are clear liquids and are mixed and poured back and forth. For sixteen seconds they remain clear. Then, all of a sudden, the solution turns completely blue-black, even the part that is being poured.”

  “I loved science class,” Lily said. “I even thought about becoming a teacher.”

  “Good thing.” Timmy giggled. “She can’t throw stones or balls.”

  Everyone laughed.

  Josiah added, “I think Jajireh likes science too. He created it.”

  Zach continued. “The explanation for the delay is that the molecule is a structure that must be completely filled up before the color changes. It takes sixteen seconds. We have the Logos, the words of King Glory, in us, but often it isn’t until we are full that we see the results. It seems sudden, but it is the result of progression, a step-by-step growth, a continual maturing.”

  Lily tried skipping another stone…unsuccessfully. “So we learn, we grow, we speak, and in time, we receive that which we are speaking and believing.”

  “Yes,” Zach said. “That’s why we need patience.”

  “And I think we need to go,” interjected Josiah. “It’s time.”

  “We can pull the boat right up to that rock. Let’s load her up.”

  Zach, Josiah, and Timmy grabbed the anchor line that was tied to the extended tree and pulled the boat port side to the rock. Josiah and Timmy held the line while everyone boarded and found a seat. Zach started the engine.

  Lijah plopped on the floor. “More comfortable on the floor. I’m fine. I like boats, but I have never been on one. This is exciting.”

  As the motor idled, warming up, Zach held on to the rock while Timmy and then Josiah stepped from the rock to the stern. Then all those on the port side “walked” the boat along the rock with their hands until its bow faced the open w
ater.

  Zach whispered as he accelerated into the moonlit bay, “Thank You, King Glory. Hold us in Your hands.”

  The wind spoke soft whispers as they entered the bay. Soon they would be safe with Grandfather again. As they settled down, the wind picked up. It turned from a whisper to a rumble, and the waves followed suit. The sky remained clear, keeping the promise of no rain or storm. The sky was full of brilliant pinpoints of light.

  “Just think,” Josiah said, “King Glory knows the name of every star.”

  Zach instructed, “You look at the stars and enjoy, but hang on. This may get rough. I’ll keep my eyes on the path ahead.”

  The young people laughed as they bumped along over the waves, occasionally getting a splash. They soon grew sleepy as the motion lulled them. Their day had been long and full. They each found spots to curl up, still humming, singing softly, and soon were all fast asleep.

  “Josiah.” Zach gripped the wheel and scanned the water ahead. “Because of the waves, I need to angle out a little further than my usual route. I don’t want the waves hitting us broadside. Besides, I’m hearing the Voice inside telling me to launch out into the deep. Everyone seems to be sleeping, which is good because this trip will take longer than it usually does.”

  “No problem. We must hear and obey. I believe we have the protection of King Glory and His angels.” Josiah smiled.

  Shortly, he was fast asleep with the others.

  * * *

  The boat capsized about midnight. Everyone was still dozing when suddenly Zach yelled, “We’ve got company!”

  Another boat, most likely a watcher patrol, zoomed in out of nowhere. Heading straight for the LAMBers, it made no effort to avert its movement. Zach attempted to dodge, turning hard to starboard, but the watcher boat struck the port stern with a loud crack. With the turn and the strike, the LAMBer boat flipped. High waves threatened to swallow it. Sleepiness and the suddenness of the strike kept the youngsters from screaming.

  The collision caused the watcher boat to tip precariously to its starboard side while its driver attempted to quickly aright it. In the process, he overcompensated in his steering, veering too sharply to port. The bow dipped into the wake of the LAMBer vessel, causing it to overturn stern over bow. The cracking and slapping of wood and metal against water filled the night, while the howl of the wind and the crashing of waves matched the volume of boats twisting and loudly coming apart.

  Every person was thrown from each boat and submerged several feet down, only to reemerge coughing and sputtering. The LAMBers shouted, “Jajireh, Jajireh, save us, keep us. We are Yours.” The shouts were not ones of panic or fear, but expectation. They called to each other, “Are you okay? Are you afraid?”

  “Yes, I’m okay. No, I’m not afraid. King Glory is with me. He will keep me.” Arms and hands flailed, but then the young people reached out and grabbed onto each other. Voices continued to shout, “I will not fear. I will shout the name Jajireh, Jajireh. I will rejoice in His provision. He will save us and keep us.”

  Waves still washed high over them, but soon they floated up on the waves as they relaxed more than fought to stay up. They even began to sing “Jajireh Loves Me” as the current and waves carried them away from the ruined, sinking boats. They began to call out their own names to confirm the presence of each one.

  “Kick off your shoes,” Josiah called. “Their weight will drag you down.”

  Timmy added, “Take off your jackets too.” Zach swam to each and assisted those wrangling with jackets.

  Then Lily heard a cry for help. “Who is there? Help us find you.”

  “Here, here. Help us.” The sound was faint and in the direction of the sinking boats.

  They had to struggle against the current into the waves to get to the ones who called. In order to not lose anyone, all attempted to get to those who were hurt.

  “I’m injured, and my partner is dead, I think.” It was a watcher, clinging to the life vest of his friend who was, at best, unconscious. “You are LAMBers?”

  “Yes, we are,” Lijah said, “but you called us LAMBers, not Lamers. Why?”

  “I don’t think you’re lame. I never have.”

  “It’s all right,” Josiah said. “We will help you and your friend.”

  They bobbed up and down in the chilly water, waves occasionally washing over their heads. Sputtering but remarkably calm, they all clung to one another and kept an eye on each other. Some had grabbed pieces of wood as they floated by to help stabilize themselves. Treading water and swimming tired them out. Two life jackets were also retrieved, while most had floated away too quickly for anyone to snag them.

  “I heard the song. I know that song.”

  “Were you a LAMBer once?”

  “No. I learned it from another watcher so I could trap LAMBers.”

  “Just like Nathan,” said Lily.

  “Yes, it was Nathan who taught it to me. But it went right into me. I hummed it in privacy. I got extra dark shades because I feared someone would see and know that something was happening…”

  “…inside. Something was happening inside,” finished Josiah. “We rejoice with you. Jajireh’s love has awakened your spirit. You are one of us. Welcome. Now we must pray for your friend.”

  “Perhaps we should not. He’s hardcore. He will turn you in immediately as soon as we are found.”

  “We have no fear. King Glory is our protection, and this man needs help,” responded Lily.

  “Oh, Jajireh, we call upon Your mercy and truth.” As they all focused on praying, a fresh set of waves descended upon them, threatening to crash over their heads.

  “Twisted One, you will not defeat us,” shouted Lijah. “We tell you to be calm. Peace! Be still!”

  Almost immediately, the waters settled out. Again they turned their attention to the unconscious man, oblivious to where the current was taking them. “King Glory, pour out Your healing power on this man. Restore his life, keep him safe, and draw him to know You.”

  The man’s eyes fluttered open, and he looked very confused. Then his eyes hardened, and he pushed the others away. Suddenly, he stopped as he stared past them, and his eyes widened in utter panic. As everyone followed his gaze, they gasped and almost sank each other in their reaction.

  There, just behind them, was a great water dinosaur—or at least the neck of one. The neck was perhaps ten feet long with an enormous head and flashing, though actually cheerful looking, eyes.

  Timmy hollered, spitting water at the same time. “It’s my Leviathan! It’s my Leviathan!” If he could have, he would have jumped up and down. Instead, he slapped his arms on the water, effectively pushing himself up and down.

  “I think it’s an angel named Levi,” shouted Lijah. “Timmy, we can ride him?”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes!” shouted Timmy. The glee in his voice was palpable.

  Lijah and Timmy swam to the animal. Just then, there appeared a glow underwater. It was directly below them, extending from the body of the animal.

  “What’s happening?” screamed the two from the watcher boat, while the others shouted and laughed. A few almost sank because they stopped moving in order to stare.

  “Jajireh’s provision.” Josiah laughed. “He likes to use angels.” The light rose up like great wings, causing them all to slide to the huge animal as if a giant scoop caught them.

  “Climb on. Climb on. There’s lots of room.” Everyone giggled like children boarding a carnival ride.

  “Oh, it’s soft.”

  “There’s enough fur, or hair, to grab.”

  “Oh, wow!”

  Slippery, wet bodies covered with heavy, sopping clothing and dripping hair plastered to their heads leaned on one another and grabbed the hair of the animal to hold them in place. Huge, kind eyes in the massive head turned and watched them. They seemed to settle on Timmy.

  Timmy hugged the neck of his Leviathan and sang, “Yes, Jajireh loves me. Yes, Jajireh loves me.”

  Lijah told the watch
er, now LAMBer, “It’s an angel named Levi. See, they can take any form they want.”

  Josiah and Zach had to pull the formerly unconscious man up onto the back. The extra weight of wet clothing and the man’s obvious reticence to go with them made their muscles ache. Both tried to catch their breath as they took in the incredulous scene. This huge, dinosaur-like animal with lit up wings actually had all of them on his back.

  Josiah chuckled. “Zach, did you ever hear tell of these animals in these waters?”

  “Well, now.” Zach winked. “Seems to me when I was a little guy, there were stories about the ice fisherman getting stranded on an ice float, and these strange animals rescued them.”

  “Really?” said several voices at once. All other conversation stopped, and all eyes turned toward Zach. A few lost their balance in doing so, but the others grabbed arms and pushed backs to reposition each other. Then everyone focused on Zach again.

  “Really?” asked Lily, her head at a tilt. “I grew up here and never heard those stories.”

  Zach could not hold a straight face. “No, I never heard that.” Several breathed sighs of relief. “This is really the provision of Jajireh. This is miracle stuff.”

  Lijah waved his hand to get everyone’s attention. “Like I said, it’s an angel named Levi.”

  Timmy again threw his arms around the great animal’s neck. “He’s my pet, my friend.”

  The other watcher squeezed his eyes shut. “No, no, I don’t believe it!” Then, letting them open a bit, he wept, “Okay, okay, I believe, but now I’m dead. Maybe I’m dead already or dreaming.”

  “No, friend,” said Josiah, “you are seeing the power of the great King Glory, whose eye is ever over His children, ready to assist. Your inner man is being confronted with the One who created you and is calling out for life. The inner man is real. Yours is being born.”

  The man wept, burying his face in the great back of the animal.