The Only Way to the Quiet Place

There is a pathway that we all must travel,

it is different for each of one of us.

Throughout the years on this pathway we trek,

we are pilgrims on a lifetime quest.

Were we to reflect on the mountains we’ve climbed,

or the valleys that we have been through;

Our stories would be similar, our joys and our pain,

a tapestry unique, for me and for you.

There are many bridges that we have walked over,

along this rugged terrain;

there is one that has collapsed, and is broken for all,

it is the one bridge that we all must cross.

The bridge to God’s heart must span that vast chasm,

and many try to cross that divide.

But when in the garden, man turned far from God;

we became lost with no where to hide.

There are millions of pathways across the horizon,

and they weave over the stark lonely landscape.

They are twisted like pathways to Mordor,
dark like the trail to Shelob's Lair.

Like a spider web woven with evil intent,

so the Serpent has darkened the way.

There are arduous twists, and turns full of suffering,

and the pilgrims cry out in dismay.

He lures many to seek remedy for their deep soul pain,

like those from the Path of the Dead,

Oathbreakers they are, who reject Jesus the King,

Who is Lord, and King over all other kings.

The pilgrims, are shackled with heavy chains,

burdened and bent, with yokes full of bondage,

seeking the Stone of Erech in vain;

amidst the shadow of the Tower of Cirith Ungol.

Multitudes who have sought for a way to the King,

found across that great rift, a bridge covered the span,

it was the Lamb’s altar, mankind’s pure sacrifice;

and all paths led to the bridge that was made from the Cross.

Then I awoke from a dream so real,

I could not forget all I did see.

The pathway across that terrible span,

is where He died to set mankind free.

It is urgent that we cross the bridge to find God,

for one day before the Lord we’ll all stand,

It was Jesus, who came to die for us all,

the Lamb that was slain for man.

He is Immanuel, the Alpha and Omega;

the Prince of Peace, and the true Deity.

The pathway across that terrible span,

 is where The King died for you and for me.

We all must receive His gift freely given,

and believe, and have sins all forgiven.

Walk over the bridge of the old rugged cross,

and bow your knee to The King of Heaven. 

Now we are wearing clean garments of grace,

tattered rags tossed away and forgotten;

This pathway is aglow with His Holy Light,

and ahead we find Jesus the Shepherd.

“You are Jesus the Christ, full Deity with the Father,

You are the Mighty God, Way, Truth and Life,

The Lamb of God, and Messiah and our Blessed Redeemer.

You are known by so many names through the Scriptures,

Why is that?” I did ask the Lord.

He turned toward the chasm and His hand gestured widely,

“There are millions of pathways all pilgrims will travel,

sincere and devout, in themselves they do trust.

yet each pathway still ends at the bridge now a cross.”

“I AM that I AM, the Way, Truth and Life,

and any can come there own way,

but unless they repent, yield their lives as a sinner,

each will stand on the other side lost.”

One day that old bridge will be closed to mankind,

no way across the chasm will be found.

This is the time to gain access to God’s mercy and grace;

Take heed, fellow pilgrim, for you stand next to God's Holy Ground.

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”  Isaiah 55:6-7

“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” Acts 26:17-18

^“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”  I Peter 1:18-20

 

 “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

II Cor. 6:1-2

 

Some of the prose uses allegorical imagery and settings adapted loosely from the Lord of the Rings

Etymology:

The Sindarin name of Shelob's Lair was Torech Ungol, meaning "Spider's Hole." The word ungol means "spider" from the Quenya ungwe meaning "gloom" and ungo meaning "cloud, dark shadow." Ungoliant was the mother of Shelob and the ancestor of all the Great Spiders. The word torech apparently means "hole or lair," though its etymology is unclear.

It was on the Stone of Erech that Aragorn called on the King of the Dead, and the other accursed, to fulfill their oaths so that they could rest in peace. This occurred at midnight. The Oathbreakers helped Aragorn take over the ships of Sauron's allies from the south. They were finally put to rest by Aragorn for fulfilling their oath where they had not done so before.

Excerpts from http://www.tuckborough.net/An encyclopedia of Middle-earth and Numenor