Dear Friends,

I had several hours before our flight from Los Angeles to Manila would be taking off so I decided to take my camera and wander around outside the airport terminal. Eventually I found myself standing on the top level of one of the parking structures and took a picture of the almost full moon rising above the smog of Los Angeles. The machinery in the foreground is from the steam plant which provides heat to the terminal.

Since man landed on the moon forty years ago, we have continued to disrupt the environment, generate wars and have really come no closer to solve the problems of poverty, sickness and mutual distrust between the peoples of the earth.

The Bible holds out no hope that our planet will return to the Edenic perfection under the present governments and religious authorities. We are living during the feet of clay pictured in Daniel 2 which will soon be vaporized by the Rock shaped not with human hands. Then a new heaven and a new earth will emerge in its original beauty.

No need for steam plants then. We will have perfect weather on a perfect planet. No need for long jet rides then. We will be transported by the speed of thought. Yes, a new day is coming, not like any other. May the Lord help us to daily rise above the smog of this polluted earth through the wings of faith.