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Skip to comments.'Bear attack' killed local man
Posted on 11/29/2012 9:25:55 PM PST by whodathunkit
SWISSDALE - State police say a Woodward Township, Clinton County, man died from a bear attack.
The state Game Commission, however, disagrees, believing that Gary Lininger died of injuries caused when a tree fell on him.
Lininger, 62, died on Oct. 16, according to the Clinton County coroner. His body was found four days later outside his secluded mountain home along Tedrow Lane, just off Route 664, the Coudersport Pike, above the village of Swissdale and some eight miles north of Lock Haven.
Coroner Donald G. Walker said the death was not suspicious, but he ordered an autopsy to determine the cause because of the uncertain circumstances surrounding Lininger's passing.
Walker declined any comment on the case other than saying the death was accidental.
But his finding prompted an immediate investigation by state police at Lamar and the state Game Commission.
Trooper Matthew R. McDermott, who headed the probe, released his final report Tuesday afternoon, saying that, while Lininger's death was accidental, "a bear attacked the victim."
"The victim fell a tree, it struck him, rendering him dazed or unconscious. While in this state, a bear attacked the victim, which ultimately resulted in his death," McDermott wrote in his very brief report.
Game Commission officials adamantly disagree with that ruling.
"There's never been a documented bear killing of a human in Pennsylvania. With that said, we dispute that this was a bear attack that killed this individual," David A. Carlini, the agency's information and education supervisor for the Northcentral Region based in Jersey Shore, told The Express.
"We investigated along with state police and also conducted our own investigation. We do not believe a bear attack killed Mr. Lininger. We absolutely believe that the victim was in the act of cutting the tree down, the tree fell on him and caused injuries that he died from," Carlini said via telephone.
"I am very sure of our findings of the facts. We are the wildlife experts. We've dealt with bears killing livestock, pigs, horses ... We know the characteristics of bear kills. We are basing our conclusion on that knowledge and experience," he continued.
"We are not seeing evidence of a bear attack. There were multiple scratches on the body... a lot of them post mortem. Many of the other injuries were also post mortem. Some of the injuries were not post mortem ... believed caused by the tree falling on him."
Part of the reason the Game Commission believes Lininger died from injuries from a falling tree or limb is because the victim was feeding bears at his property, Carlini said.
"There were bear droppings in and around where the deceased was found. Those droppings contained contents of what was being fed in a feeder at the deceased's property ... so that's a reason why bears would be there," he said.
"We're not disputing all of the facts, we're disputing the summation and opinions by others in this case.
"We are not disputing there could have been bear or other animals involved. He was in the woods for three or four days. They could have taken advantage of that body laying in woods. We're not disagreeing that a bear found him afterwards," Carlini explained.
Despite the disagreement on Lininger's cause of death, Carlini said he doesn't want people to be afraid or panic that there's a dangerous bear on the loose in the county.
"People should always be cautious and respect bears. But to fear there is a man-eating bear attacking and stalking people, we do not believe that," he said.
Clinton County is considered bear country, typically coming in among the top three or five Pennsylvania counties in the number of bears harvested each hunting season. The just-ended bear season was no exception, with an estimated 217 bears harvested, just behind Lycoming County's 239, according to preliminary figures.
The Game Commission has studied black bears in Pennsylvania since its inception.
Wildlife conservation officers and biologists regularly provide information on bear habits, and offer precautions that people should take as the bear population continues to increase and more of the animals come into contact with humans.
"Our perceptions of bears are a product of their mostly shy, mysterious nature and powerful presence, not to mention the timeless tales that have been told about them. Unfortunately, there's as much misinformation about bears in circulation as there is fact. And that's too bad, because bears needn't be feared, nor should they be dismissed as harmless," the agency advises.
Bears "simply need to be respected," the agency says. "Pennsylvania's bear population has been increasing for decades, and at the same time, many people have moved into the areas where bears reside. As a result, bears and people are coming into contact more than ever. And most of these encounters occur when bears learn that where people live there's easy-to-obtain food. Learning about bears and being aware of their habits is important for people who live in bear country, which now includes most of the state," the agency advises on its web site.
"Bears may be on the move at any time, but they're usually most active at dusk and dawn. Bears are omnivorous, eating almost anything, from berries, corn, acorns, beechnuts and even grass, to table scraps, carrion, honey and insects. During late summer and fall, black bears fatten up for winter hibernation. At this time they may actively feed for up to 20 hours a day, ingesting up to 20,000 calories."
The agency advises that, if you live or have a summer home or camp in bear country, make accomodations to peacefully co-exist with these large animals.
"Make sure you don't encourage bears to become problem bears by putting your garbage where it's available to them or, even worse, by intentionally feeding them. Black bears will consume almost anything. They will eat human food, garbage, bird feed, pet foods and livestock feed. They also raid cornfields and beehives. Once bears find easily accessible food sources, whether on a farm or in a housing development, they lose their wariness of people and will keep coming back as long as food is available. The best way to get rid of these unwanted visitors is to remove the food source for a month or more, but even then, there are no guarantees. A persistent bear may damage property, increase the risk of human injury or become an unwanted visitor in other parts of the neighborhood. And, all too often, fed bears become dead bears."
The sparsely populated region has been billed as a safe place for a wilderness experience only a few hours drive from major metropolitan areas.
With a large herd of 'wild' Rocky Mountain Elk (which seem to enjoy living in local residences yards) and a breeding population of mountain lions that the Pennsylvania Game Commission vehemently denies exist, the denial of an attack by a black bear is in keeping with their agenda of 'wilding' the region.
I guess that their notion that a Pennsylvania bear is much less likely to attack a human than some other states bear makes sense in their convoluted logic.
My condolences to his family and am saddened to hear that his life ended in such a tragic manner.
I have a lot of wild life in my rural area.
But truthfully, if I looked out my back door and saw a bear (or ginormous alligator) I would most likely die of fright!
My 26 year old daughter lives a couple of miles from Whistler Village in Canada. She woke up the other morning to find bear track in the snow on her patio. She's come across them on bike rides around the lake, too. VERY plentiful there.
How many calories is a full grown man??
neighbor said "He seemed like such a nice bear"
So, your basic human would yield around 110,000 calories.... apparently
And a dog bit a man!
What do bears call bikers?
Answer: Meals on wheels.
Jokes aside, the article had this whopping bureaucrapic baffle-gabbing line: "The agency advises that, if you live or have a summer home or camp in bear country, make accomodations to peacefully co-exist with these large animals."
Peace be with you and yours - and peace comes through superior firepower. Consider a .357, a 10mm, better would be a .44 magnum. Best would be a .454 Casuel. Black bear really do not require a 500 S&W to deal with their occasional outbreaks of Bad Bruin Behavior syndrome.
Twice in my life I have had year or two year old blk bear boars (150 lbers) come in on me like a cat on a rabbit, front quarters down, butt up in air, ears going back and forth like crazy. They didn't run in, they came in slow. I was able to hollar and wave one off, twice and I shot the bear the second time it happened to me. Don't ever think blk bear won't eat ya, they can be just as dangerous as any grizz that you surprise. This is especially true where the bear haven't experienced too many people, they think food.
I've often wondered when bear attacks would start back in Pa?
If a tree falls in the forest, and lands on your ass, do you hear it before it squishes you or not?
And to increase the level of difficulty, throw in a bear grabbing your cheeks with his canines.
I have some friends that live just outside of Cooperstown, PA. They have had a mother black bear and her cubs come up their front porch, look through the windows, and even push on the door and windows. I can't believe it will be that long before there are even more close encounters, especially if the bears are already that unafraid.
DNA Evidence Frees Black Man Convicted of Bear Attack
Hopefully the authorities will not go to those lengths to clear the bears!
I have bears in my back yard very oftin.
A long time ago I lived in Conneaut Lake, Crawford County. Looking back I realize it was ideal bear country, heavily wooded with a lot of farms but I never heard of any bears. A lot of wildlife but no bears. I wonder if its changed.
Pleasantville (sixteen miles away) is overrun with them. I was reading a book in the backyard of my sister's house and one walked up to me about eight feet away until I yelled at it. As he ran into the woods two more caught up with him.
Damn! That bear must have been really "pissed off" to kill the man and then throw a tree on top of him.
A little anger management goes a long way.
Black bears used to roam in the western and middle part of our state; for many years now they've been confined to the eastern (Smoky Mountain) part of the state. Guess if the gubmint decides to "gift" us with some more wildlife, they could show up on the scene back here.
About two weeks ago, I saw a dead black bear on the apron of I 26, within sight of Erwin.
I have had a big black bear come on my porch here in central Fla. several times because I have a cat on the porch with cat food. (The bear pushed the door open even though it was locked.) I had to put the food away at night but a couple of times I yelled at the bear through the window in the door and it backed up and left. We are seeing black bears even in our towns here now. My nephew said to swab some of the porch with some Pin-Sol as they do not like strong smells. It burns their noses. It definitely worked! You might tell your neighbors to try this.
My mom grew up in a little house near the Indiana/Jefferson County line in western PA. My grandfather was a coal miner, who over the decades, increased his property to include a small farm and a couple fruit orchards. My two aunts still live in a newer house on the property and essentially end up sharing the orchard produce with the local black bears.
We've been here in Alaska 20 years, all kinds of bear both blk & grizz; except most of the time the grizz stay up on our summits. People here shoot every bear they see as the pests they are, and dangerous ones too. We had a few local bear getting into the burn barrel, then our dogs chased a few off. So I set up a bait station a mile behind our place and my kids shot 8 bear the first year. After a couple spring seasons and 25 bear, I started to notice less bear around which was a good thing. Once you have bear on the porch getting into things, looking around, it's time to clean them out or you will come home one day to find a bear in the house that doesn't want to leave. They figure out pretty quick there's better food inside than out. I've personally seen grizz knock a heavy wooden door right off it's hinges in log cabins, with an old Indian inside.
I have a game cam, you wouldn't believe the picts I have from my bait station, how the bear interact with each other in the woods when nobody's watching.
I have from my bait station, how the bear interact with each other in the woods when nobody's watching.
Absolutely! The bears here are suffering greatly from mange and is an indication of overcrowding.
I live about an hours drive from where this man was killed. Bears have become an increasing problem here as well. Many 'nuisance' bears are relocated here and are acclimated to human contact. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has a three strikes policy before the bear will be put down. I wonder if the bear who got this guy was one of those? They have ear tags to identify the relocated bears.
Lunchtime ping
In North Georgia we go deer hunting and more than once have come back to parked four wheelers and will find the foam seats totally destoyed by bears. Nothing else touched.
"They hate the seats! Stay away from the seats!"
With apologies to the movie "The Jerk."
I would have 200 picts a day on game cam and usually 15-20 different bear visiting my bait barrel all day and all night long. When a big bear was there and a smaller bear came in for some eats, the big bear would stretch it's head and neck way out towards smaller bear looking big and bad and smaller bear would chatter away jumping side to side, but not coming any closer, haha. Just fun seeing how bear talk and communicate back and forth.
Have had a few bear crawl up my stand tree right under my feet like they wanted to get a taste of me, shot off 44 right nx to their head and down the tree they went.
After I quit hunting the bait station, the bear clean out barrel pretty quick. Then they follow my 4 wheeler trail back to my house for a week or two. The bear show up in my yard and dogs run them off. They must wonder why I haven't brought them any goodies and come looking.
Bears around here all eat each other, I've never seen mange, just minor rubs.
If youd like to be on or off this Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me. And ping me is you see articles of interest.
Black bears are so nasty they will eat their own dead siblings after they "ripen up". They can peel a locked car open in about 15 minutes. They can rip canned goods open with their claws and teeth. I saw a car ripped open to get animal crackers out of a child's seat.
"I cant believe it will be that long before there are even more close encounters, especially if the bears are already that unafraid."
Just wait until until 10 minutes after their welfare checks fail to show up one month in the very near future, LOL!
(Sorry - couldn't resist!)
The reason for the post was not for the gruesome aspect of the poor fellows death . It is, instead an unusually clear insight into what we will be subject to with the push for Agenda 21. Please let me explain what I have read 'between the lines'.
The real subject of the story is the disagreement between a state game agency and a state police agency. In the police investigation the facts pointed to a bear attack. The state game agency rapidly denied that any of their bears would do such a thing and therefore they reject the finding of facts. Does this make sense? Absolutely not! The Pennsylvania State Game Commission has been implementing many of the policies of modern environmentalism. Many of the residents in the rural parts of Pennsylvania have been scratching their heads every time they make a rule change or implement new policies. Other state agencies have been acting in a similar manner and when viewed as a whole it is obvious that Agenda 21 is alive and well here. Large tracts of private land have been purchased by environmental groups and donated to the state. We are losing lots of property tax income once it is public land as well as many private development opportunities which could boost the local jobs market. The transfer of private to state owned land has been increasing exponentially and the funding is coming from sources outside of the state.
So to sum it up, expect more stories that don't make sense. The reporters facts are correct but the squabbling agencies will leave your head spinning.
We had that problem in North Dakota, at least until someone got tired of being dismissed as merely 'anecdotal' due to the lack of an advanced degree in wildlife biology and dropped by Game and Fish with one (recently deceased) in the back of the pickup. Heck, you can't be prosecuted for shooting what isn't there...
Now we have a 'permit issued as needed limited season' on them.
Since then, game cameras have 'captured' a lot more mountain lions (in one case, three at one kill site) than anyone suspected, and far closer to population centers than was previously believed. I suggest using the cameras for proof, as some Game and Fish Departments might not take such a practical approach.
At least they admitted bears crap in the woods, that's a start...
I live in Williamsport, PA and hunt in Danville, PA.
I had a small 150 lb bear coe within 30 feet of me during the opening day of rifle deer season. The bear did not seem unafraid of me and clearly saw/smelled me.
I agree with others here that as the bear population in Pennsylvania increases, we will see more of these "encounters" between man and bear.
That is (another reason) to carry at all times.
Makes the apple picking interesting?
Years ago a friend and I would camp in the Blue Ridge. We knew the area had a large bear population but never saw one up close until
One night we heard noise near our campsite. Looking out the tent we saw a bear nosing around. We became concerned when it checked out our motorcycles and I suggested to the friend that he should do something, it was closing in on his Harley. Neither of us moved. The bear finally wandered off.
The term 'competing interests' would apply to those endeavors...
I was about 16 when the preacher asked me to take a hike with him and his son. The trip would be on the Appalachian trail across the crest of the Smokies from New Found Gap to Davenport Gap. It was a distance of about 35 miles and would be 4 nights and 5 days on the trail.
I was an Eagle Scout an experienced camper and had spent a good bit of time in the Smokies. I was table to add some experience to the crew as well as to have a great adventure.
After a very wet and uncomfortable night at the severely crowed Ice Water Springs Shelter we awoke to a clear morning. At breakfast we learned from the other hikers that there were bears. That is, we will have bears in camp at the other shelters. Later that morning, on the trail, Dr Allen advised not to worry about bears on the trail . He could smell bears and we would certainly have advance notice of a bears presence.
That evening we arrived at the shelter, an open front Adirondack stone lean to with a chain link fence across the front, After supper we saw a mama bear and two cubs emerge into the clearing below the shelter. She sent the cubs up a tree and ambled toward us to check out the smell of our supper. Having had bears in camp before, I knew that if we beat on our pans and yelled , the bear would go away. That is what happened.
The next day we made good time and arrived in the early afternoon at the next shelter. Already there was a party of young women, good Presbyterian girls, from Queens College in Charlotte. The preacher did not like the idea of another night in a crowded shelter, especially one with nearly all women. He decided we should continue to the next shelter. We had plenty of daylight and it should be no problem. At some point before leaving were advised theres a mean bear at that camp.
Somewhere along the trail we encountered some of the Queens stragglers. One girl was hiking in sneakers and the going was slow. We were told a bear took one of her boots and carried it away.
The shelter was an Adirondack lean to made from logs. It had no comforting chain link fence enclosure across the front. We settled down, ate and went to bed. It had been a long day. Then we heard the bear. It was just outside the front. We had our packs hung from nails on the beam across the top front roof line. The packs and the food were what the bear was after. We yelled and beat on something and the bear apparently left. It was hard to tell in the dark. Anyway, we returned to our sleeping bags.
Sometime later, we were again disturbed. It was the bear. The ol bear was at home, his home, and he knew all about it. He waited and then came from behind and climbed up on the roof to get the pack from above. I dont remember exactly what happened but we discouraged the bear and he left the roof. It was apparent that something must be done to remove the temptation. The solution was to take a length of parachute cord and throw it up and over a tree limb and suspend all the packs and food off the ground out of harms way.
The bear came back and gave his attention to the packs. It turned out that by standing on his hind legs and swiping with an extended paw, he could barely reach Dr Allens steel framed army surplus rucksack. He swiped one of the pockets and out came our bottle of pancake syrup and a tin of crackers. The syrup bottle broke and made a mess. The bear took off with the cracker tin. We found the cracker tin the next morning mangled, with tooth holes and no crackers.
So there we were. It was the middle of the night, we were tired from the extra miles. The bear was a better player of the game than we , and something had to be done. There was only one solution. Find a higher branch. Throwing a stick tied to a parachute cord over a high branch at night in the dark is no mean feat. It was however accomplished.
My job was to snub the line around a nail in the shelter while Dr Allen hoisted the packs as high as he could over his head. It was being done and then it happened. I cant remember if the cord broke, or if it parted, or if the knot gave way but the pack fell. It fell onto Dr Allens head and shoulders, knocked him aside and hit the ground beside him. He shouted DAMN!!!
There it was . the preacher cussed. It is a memory still firm in my mind.
The next day we had only a few miles all down hill, so we dumped our excess food in the garbage pit down below the shelter. Included was a big plastic bag of peanut butter. As we were saddling up to hit the trail, we heard a commotion at the garbage pit. There was loud coughing and gagging. We concluded the bear found the peanut butter and devoured the bag whole
A trip to remember!
We too hung our food high in a tree over a light limb about 10 feet above ground. Our dishes and cookware were clean. The bear was just curious. There isnt much that can be done about that.
At the ranger station we saw pictures of cars torn apart by bears getting food.
It is the core of the problem exposed (perhaps unintended?) by the author.
I added a tag of agenda21 to the post because of the intergovernmental infighting between two agencies, one driven by environmentalism and the other by fact finding.
Here in the "T" of Pennsylvania people are truly upset at the obfuscation by the game commission.
Interestingly, in our particular part of the state we recently found out that there is an 'environmentally sensitive' species listed in the state register as 'can not be named' by a state agency that also 'can not be named' due to it's sensitive nature!?!
I jokingly mentioned to my wife that it was probably referring to us!
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Volume 27, Issue 4, 01 April 1956
Cross Section of Colinear Arrays at Normal Incidence27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722368View Description Hide Description
The backscattering cross section of colinear arrays of thin dipoles at normal incidence has been derived using the variational method. It was found advantageous to use the variational principle in its scale‐dependent form, since the extremum of the variational functional does not depend on the scales of the currents. The special case of the two dipole array is computed using the derived formula. The interaction integral of two dipoles is integrated giving a result is closed form. In spite of the crudeness of the trial functions used, the results appear in good agreement with the experimental data. These were taken on a Doppler modulated synchronous detection system at 3000 Mc/sec.
Some Experiments on Thermal Contact at Low Temperatures27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722369View Description Hide Description
An apparatus for studying heat contact at low temperatures is described. Measurements of heat transfer between various surfaces in vacuo have been made. The thermal conductance is independent of the area of the surfaces and is nearly proportional to the force between them, up to forces of about 200 lb. At helium temperatures the conductance between all the types of surfaces examined is proportional to T 2, but the temperature dependence is small at nitrogen temperatures. For metal contacts the electrical conductance is extremely sensitive to the previous history of the surfaces, but the heat conductance is little dependent on this. The thermal conductance is always much greater than corresponds to the electrical conductance according to the Wiedemann‐Franz‐Lorenz law and this fact, together with the differing behavior of the two conductances under changing loads, suggests that nearly all the heat flow takes place through electrically nonconducting parts of the surface. The main results are collected together in a table.
Physical Theory for Capillary Flow Phenomena27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722370View Description Hide Description
From the assumption that the microscopic behavior of the liquid in an unsaturated porous medium is controlled by the physical laws of surface tension and viscousflow,differential equations governing the macroscopic flow in such a medium are deduced. No special pore‐shape assumptions are required, but one topological approximation is needed; i.e., that neither isolated drops nor isolated bubbles occur. Several nonessential simplifying assumptions are used; i.e., that the macroscopic properties of the medium, the character of the liquid, and the pressure of the gas are independent of position, time, and direction. The macroscopic equations are obtained in a fully reduced form, permitting comparison between two media— or between two flow systems—that differ only by scaling factors.
A novel feature of this calculation is its prediction that the liquid‐transmission and liquid‐capacity properties of an unsaturated medium will exhibit hysteresis in their dependences upon the liquid‐gas pressure differential, p. The properties of the medium depend upon the pressure history but are invariant to monotonic time‐scale distortions of that history. Such time‐invariant functionals have been termed by the authors ``hysteresis functions,'' symbolized by the subscript, H, e.g. FH (p). Although methods for measuring and describing the characteristics of specific ``hysteresis functions'' have not yet been developed, the general validity of this analysis can be studied experimentally by testing predictions that are contained in the reduced variables.
Relationship between Small‐Angle Dislocation Boundaries and Creep27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722371View Description Hide Description
Small‐angle dislocation boundaries of controlled nature (sharp or diffuse) and density were introduced (by prestraining at room temperature and annealing at 800°C) into high‐purity polycrystallinenickel prior to creep at 700°C. By this method, the shape of the creep curve was varied drastically. The initial density of small‐angle boundaries ranged from an average of nearly zero per grain, to a large number which was limited by the occurrence of recrystallization. X‐ray microscopic examination showed that the dislocation networks developed during creep were nearly identical and were independent of the initial density and nature. The density of small‐angle boundaries developed during creep is also independent of the creep strain within the limits of 1% and 7.5%, the strain at which the most ductile specimens fractured. The near identity of the substructure developed during creep was further verified by the substantial equality of the specimens' tensile strengths after creep. The only detectable difference in the substructures was an increase of the average boundary angle with increasing total strain. The type of substructure uniquely developed during high‐temperature deformation is discussed in terms of dislocation climb and the interaction of local stress fields from climbing dislocations with those in piled‐up arrays.
Diffusion Effects in Drift Mobility Measurements in Semiconductors27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722372View Description Hide Description
Drift mobility measurements in semiconductors using small steady dc fields are described. It is necessary in such cases to take diffusion as well as drift into account in calculating the mobility from the transit time, and a calculation is made which considers both effects. If the diffusion corrections are made, one may eliminate the pulsed sweep fields which are customarily used in these experiments. Measurements of transit time vs sweep field show that the diffusion corrections are in agreement with experiment.
Space Charge Effects in Dense, Velocity‐Modulated Electron Beams27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722373View Description Hide Description
By assuming the bunching process of electrons in the drift region of a klystron as being space periodic, rather than time periodic, it is possible to describe the debunching mechanism in a finite diameter beam on a large signal basis. It is shown that such beams have a discrete spectrum of oscillations with the plasma frequency as series limits. This makes it impossible to assign a unique bunching parameter to all electrons.
These results check with a velocity‐phase analysis of high‐density electron beams carried out with a beam analyzer at a frequency of 3000 Mc.
Extension of the ``Thin‐Sample Method'' for the Measurement of Initial Complex Permeability and Permittivity27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722374View Description Hide Description
A summary is given of the theory of measurement of complex relative permeability and permittivity of low conductivity materials by the thin‐sample method using a slotted transmission line. The equations from which to calculate the electrical properties from the measured parameters are extended to apply to a commercial slotted line and thus to a more complex system than that used by other workers. Some errors of the measurements are discussed and various correctional equations derived by other workers are given.
On the Use of Gram‐Charlier Series to Represent Noise27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722375View Description Hide Description
The stochastic time series produced by the arrival at random times of identical individual events is considered. It is shown that if the shape of the individual events and of the resulting autocorrelation function and power spectrum are each represented by a Gram‐Charlier series, relatively simple relationships exist between the different sequences of coefficients. These relationships are most serviceable when the coefficients of the autocorrelation function are used as the primary quantities. If the band width of the noise is ``moderate,'' the series has a small number of terms and consequently is practical from a computational viewpoint. The formulas are applied to the experimental data of noise produced when current is forced backwards through a silicon crystal. The shape of the individual noise events is determined from a knowledge of the experimental autocorrelation function. As a check on the analysis the power spectrum and the expected number of zeros per second are computed from the Gram‐Charlier series and compared with the experimental data.
Pulsed T‐F Emission Electron Projection Microscopy27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722377View Description Hide Description
Pulse electronic techniques extend the advantages of field emission microscopy to desirable experimental conditions not attained with steady‐state fields. A visually continuous ``motion picture'' emission pattern enhances the study of transient cathode mechanisms while holding negligible the adverse effects of large electrostatic forces on both cathode stability and mechanisms under study. Observation is extended to elevated cathode temperatures, to higher environmental gas pressures, and to low tensile strength cathodematerials; at the same time, excellent cathode electrical stability is maintained. Several mechanisms are illustrated, including condensation, volume diffusion, surface migration, and cathode blunting.
Variational Method for the Calculation of the Distribution of Energy Reflected from a Periodic Surface. I.27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722378View Description Hide Description
A variational method is presented which is used to calculate the energy appearing in the various diffracted orders set up when a plane wave is incident upon a periodic reflecting surface. Either the first or the second boundary condition can be so treated. A sample problem is worked showing that if the average absolute slope of the reflecting surface is small (segments of surface with large slope may be included) and if the displacement of the surface is not large compared with the wavelength of the incident radiation, the formulation gives results correct to within a few percent. The calculation shows the existence of Wood anomalies; these are discussed in the paper.
Method of Representing Preferred Orientation Data27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722379View Description Hide Description
For the fiber‐texture type of preferred orientation, a method is developed for determining the ``fiber axis density'' from the ``pole density'' given by x‐ray diffraction data. The fiber axis distribution so deduced gives directly and quantitatively the type and degree of preferred orientation—the more preferred crystallographic directions of the fiber axis, the symmetries of the orientation distribution about the preferred directions, and the relative volumes of material associated with the various components. The procedure is demonstrated for extruded aluminum rod. The method is adapted to the study of the sheet‐texture type of preferred orientation and applied in determining the textures in cold‐rolled 65–35 brass and 2S aluminum sheet.
Excitation of Space Charge Waves in Drift Tubes27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722380View Description Hide Description
An analysis has been made of the effect of initial conditions on the excitation of electromagnetic waves in a drift tube. The method employs the Laplace transform which directly includes the initial quantities. Field quantities which have been transformed with respect to the longitudinal coordinate are solved for and the results then inverted. Explicit expressions are then obtained for the velocity, charge density, and current density modulations as a series of modes.
Bridge and Short Arc Erosion of Copper, Silver, and Palladium Contacts on Break27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722381View Description Hide Description
The bridge and short arc erosion of copper,silver, and palladium contacts and a number of alloys of these materials has been measured as a function of the break current in a circuit containing only a small amount of inductance. A theory is presented for calculating the arc duration, the charge passed by the arc, and the arc energy. Under the described conditions the total charge passed in the arc as well as the arc energy is proportional to the square of the rupture current. Short arc erosion in such a circuit will show, therefore, the same current dependence as bridge transfer. While it is possible to effectively separate the two types of erosion by controlling the circuit inductance evidence is presented to indicate that the two processes may not be completely independent.
Method for the Study of Lattice Inhomogeneities Combining X‐Ray Microscopy and Diffraction Analysis27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722382View Description Hide Description
An x‐ray diffraction method has been developed which establishes a direct correlation between the spot reflections on the Debye‐Scherrer lines and the lattice regions on the specimen surface giving rise to these reflections. After this correlation has been accomplished an analysis of the spot reflections based on the double diffractometer principle is carried out. The method applied to the study of the substructure of metals and alloys discloses the coexistence of various orders of magnitude of substructural entities. The determination of size, disorientation, and lattice misalignment for the various orders of substructural entities is shown and the nature of the small‐angle boundaries is investigated. The general applicability of the method to various research problems is briefly discussed.
Sensitivity of Ultrasonic Attenuation and Velocity Changes to Plastic Deformation and Recovery in Aluminum27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722383View Description Hide Description
Measurements of changes in ultrasonic attenuation together with changes in ultrasonic velocity have been made concurrently with load strain measurements in tensile tests on the same specimen of aluminum. The results of such measurements taken during loading of the specimen, during relaxation or recovery at constant strain, and during unloading show a number of interesting effects. These observed effects are interpreted in terms of dislocation behavior for the various stages of the experiment. The experimental results for attenuation α and velocity change Δv/v permit the calculation of changes in dislocation density and loop length based on a dislocation damping theory developed in this laboratory to include both megacycle and kilocycle frequencies. The strain due to dislocation motion was calculated with a simple model and with dislocation loop lengths and densities obtained from the data and the theory just mentioned. The comparison of the calculated strain and the measured strain lends support to the use of this model, and while this dislocation damping model may not be entirely correct it does seem to be possible to obtain information about stress‐strain behavior at low strains from sound propagation data alone.
Free Vibrations of Isotropic Cubes and Nearly Cubic Parallelepipeds27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722384View Description Hide Description
Free vibrations of isotropic cubes and nearly cubic parallelepipeds are derived by a modification of the Ritz method. The trial functions are chosen to be similar to actual modes, but simple enough to be manageable. The semidirect method of variational calculus is used to obtain some of them, others are simple solutions of somewhat different elastic problems. The resultant secular determinant of 15th degree is reduced (factored) by the use of group theory, so that the frequency equation can be solved analytically. The modes are classified according to symmetry properties. Some unexpected degeneracies are found which are not predicted by group theory.
Retarded Polarization Phenomena in BaTiO3 Crystals27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722385View Description Hide Description
Slow polarization phenomena in BaTiO3 c‐domain crystals were observed for applied electric fields smaller than 1 kv/cm. It is shown that the rate of change of polarization with time for small but constant fields implies the same phenomena observed for switching experiments performed at fields considerably larger than 1 kv/cm. No threshold field was found below which antiparallel nuclei would not propagate and complete the polarization reversal cycle.
Chemiluminescence as a Tool in the Study of Liquid Flow Boundaries27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722386View Description Hide Description
Impregnated Barium Dispenser Cathodes Containing Strontium or Calcium Oxide27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722387View Description Hide Description
Mechanism of Frictional Electrification of Dielectric Liquids27(1956); http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1722388View Description Hide Description


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Avoid Dillingham boulevard. Board of water supply crews are still working to repair a water main break. KITV4's Brenton Awa is standing by live with the latest.
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True Blood Fangtasia Red Bottom Pint Glass
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Everyone knows that Life Begins at Night. Not everyone knows the True Blood Fangtasia Red Bottom Pint Glass has an exotic red bottom waiting for you. Whether you prefer Tru Blood or the real thing, drink up from this snazzy pint.
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|Viewing Single Post From: Y&R: A Closer Look -- Nick
|Sep 8 2009, 02:40 AM
If you visit an online interview it is in two parts of JM stated if he were the beting man he would be back with Sharon, and that she is his true love. Phick fans were not pleased. Other back interviews around the time of before the Paris kiss in late 08' JM said that he knew he was going back to Sharon and could not wait. There are other interviews that have gone out after Shick divorced, before the vault and before Paris. Again, JM changes his mind like the wind from interview to interview, his ratio was a through of what he sees at the fan dinners that 300 or less so people show up to that crawel in front of him in support of the Phick pairing. The fanclub dinner contains about 300 or less people, that is not the entire Y&R fanbase and nor does the entire Y&R fanbase like Phick. My above post sheds light on that... ;)
Edited by sassychic, Sep 8 2009, 02:41 AM.
|Y&R: A Closer Look -- Nick · GH: News, Spoilers & Discussion


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NEW YORK (MainStreet) If you're away at work this summer, and you've hired a baby sitter to watch the kids, sooner or later they're all going to get in the car and drive somewhere.
On the surface, that's fine.
After all, you don't want the kids in the house all day, and a trip to the community pool or a drive to the local ice cream parlor is a good time and keeps the young ones busy and happy.
But young drivers being young drivers, parents may well worry about the experience their sitter has behind the wheel and any bad habits they may bring to the driver's seat with them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group.
The CDC cites the following risk factors for teenage drivers none of which will likely ease the mind of parents who hire baby sitters to watch their kids, and drive them around:
- Teens are more likely than older drivers to underestimate dangerous situations or not be able to recognize hazardous situations.
- Teens are more likely than older drivers to speed and allow shorter headways (the distance from the front of one vehicle to the front of the next).
- Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use. In 2011, only 54% of high school students reported they always wear seat belts when riding with someone else.
It's just that they are kids, too, and don't have deep experience driving with younger children in the car.


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I have been given the opportunity to review "Raising Bains", a new show that will be airing on the A&E network tonight, Monday evening, August 23, at 10:00pm CST.
It is a documentary about a family with 13 children. 12 of those are adopted, with 8 being a sibling group.
Read my review at Lifetime Moms.


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TEN fire engines have been sent to tackle a large blaze in an area kept for hazardous chemicals at the Grundon Waste Centre in Ewelme, near Wallingford tonight.
The fire broke out at about 7.20pm at the plant in Goulds Grove and firefighters are warning people living in the area to stay inside.
- Read our Sunday 9.30am update: Fire out but officers remain on site - includes dramatic new video
- Read our 1pm update: Investigators searching through CCTV for clue to blaze cause
Police are also at the scene, with a 200-metre in cordon around the site.
- Video courtesy of reader Mark Goldie
- Did you witness the fire? Please call our newsdesk on 01865 425500 or email us
No one is believed to have been injured. The plume of smoke has been seen by people in Steventon, Didcot and Goring.
A fire service spokesman said: "Ten fire engines supported by a water carrier, incident support unit, rescue tender and aerial appliance are currently on the site. The fire is in the vicinity of an area dedicated to hazardous chemical waste.
"The fire and rescue service is advising anyone living in the immediate vicinity to stay indoors and keep their windows closed as a precuation."
The police have advised people living as far away as Sonning Common and Nettlebed to keep their windows and doors shut.
Roads around the site have also been closed.
Police spokesman James Williams said: "The fire service is at the scene and tackling the blaze, with Thames Valley Police helping to enforce a 200 meter cordon around the site.
"Members of the public are advised to avoid the area.
- A tweet from the police helicopter above the Grundon plant
"One private building outside the site has been evacuated."
- A tweet from the police helicopter above the Grundon plant
South Central Ambulance Service spokesman Michelle Archer said it was called at 8.04pm and sent an ambulance, three officers and a hazardous area response team.
She said there were no reports of any injuries and paramedics will remain at the scene.
Pictures courtesy of reader @Luuunatik
According to a planning application submitted by the company in 2012, Grundon's operations at the Ewelme depot date back to the 19th Century.
The centre was processing about 7,500 tonnes of hazardous waste a year.
- This image was sent in from reader Andrew White
Our top stories:
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The shutdown is forcing the National Institute of Health to stop accepting new patients for clinical trials. It's a matter of life and death for one Sacramento woman.
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I'm working on electronics test system, where a certain measurement take an awfully long time. Basically its find a balance point of a circuit and checks the point is within the test limits. The circuit is a bridge which has an unknown impedance attached, then changing know values to balance out the unknown load.
The current method uses a SAR(successive approximation) method, system take an educated guess on where the point should be and try's points around it to find the balance point of the circuit.
The problem
The test takes an age to run as it take 10-20 attempts to find the correct values.
My idea is to use a triangulation technique to find a point that point. Basically my idea is to use 3 point, measure the magnatude of the error signal(error signal will be zero at the balance point, and increase the further from the balance point), and plot the point where the arc's cross. Sounds simple enough in theory.
However the measurements taken are not perfect(as this is the real world) and do not alway give a trivial solutions, the magantudes do not always meet up neatly to define a single point.
The question is does any have any suggestions on algorthyms that could be used to define the approximate region/crossing point of the 3 vectors even if the vectors do not actually meet.
The setup is a RC bridge. The value measured(Error Voltage) is a scalar. Bridge works by switching in R C combinations untill the error voltage is at a minimum. The voltage applied is AC.See Pic 2
Pic 1 shows the a graph with 3 measurement points(arbitary, but near the to limit circle). I can equate the error voltage to give me a scalar value on the plot around.
However as this a real world measurement, the results are never quite perfect, and the scalar values do not always a intersect, and if they do not intersect you cannot calculate thier angle(so calculate a vector to the intersect point), and so work out where the balance point for the bridge is.(see pic 3).
What I need to know is thier a mathimatical method that could define the region shaded orange in pic 4.
Does that clarify things at all?
I don't know if this is of any value for you, but...
In terrestrial navigation you take the bearings of at least three objects which should meet in one point: your position. That's the theory.
Normally you get a triangle. The estimated position is the triangle centroid. This point can be calculated easily, especially if you use vectors.
(My post has nothing to do with your technical problem, of course. It's only one possibility to get an estimated result. Maybe this is of some help for you)
triangle (called the cocked hat) made from the lines, but for reasons I
don't recall the vertex with the largest angle is quite a good approximation
to the centroid of the posterior distribution of position (I think the analysis
is in one of my reference books on OR in World War 2, which are all at work).
In fact if I recall correctly there is in fact only a 12.5% chance that the
actual position is inside the cocked hat!


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New England Patriots superstar tight end Rob Gronkowski reportedly will require back surgery this offseason, adding to the health issues he has endured over the past two years.
A source told NFL Network's Albert Breer of the unfortunate development on Wednesday:
Per source, Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will need back surgery. Tentatively set for mid-June. He'll likely miss at least part of camp.— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 29, 2013
UPDATE: Friday, June 14 at 9:37 p.m. ET by Tyler Conway
While it's been known for weeks that Gronkowski will have surgery, we finally have an answer to when. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Patriots tight end will undergo his back operation Tuesday in Los Angeles:
From me and @MikeReiss: Pats TE Rob Gronkowski is scheduled to undergo back surgery in LA on Tuesday, per sources.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 15, 2013
There is no word on how long the surgery will keep Gronkowski out of commission. This back procedure wil be his fifth different surgery since November, the first four being to his oft-injured forearm.
---End of update---
This confirms a prior report from USA Today's Mike Garafolo, who indicated less than two weeks ago that back surgery was a possibility for the two-time All-Pro.
Garafolo reported that the time frame of recovery for Gronkowski would be roughly the same as his fourth left forearm surgery, but Breer indicates that Gronkowski will likely miss at least part of Patriots training camp.
How will Rob Gronkowski perform in 2013?
The absence of a 100-percent Gronkowski from the gridiron has arguably cost New England a legitimate shot at winning the past two Super Bowls. When fully healthy, Gronkowski is undoubtedly one of the most electric, dynamic players in the entire NFL.
Given this latest setback, it will take even more time for Gronkowski to get back into football shape, which could cause his 2013 campaign to start off slowly.
Gronkowski has caught 187 passes for 2,663 yards and 38 touchdowns in his brief career and only recently turned 24, so he has plenty of time to get back on track. He's signed through 2019, entering the second season of an eight-year, $55 million deal.
However, his health issues are a discouraging trend for the Patriots organization. If the Tom Brady-led offense is to continue its reign as the highest-scoring unit in the league, it will be essential for Gronkowski to be a key contributor.


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CHICAGO On Thursday night, Ted Baker London celebrated the launch of its Midwest flagship location with an in-store cocktail party. To educate guests about the heritage of the British lifestyle brand—and to underscore its intended cheeky vibe—London-based marketing manager Jodie Hughes designed a bash with an English theme and a laid-back atmosphere. Zapwater Communications handled on-the-ground logistics.
An orange carpet, meant to complement the colors in the store's spring window display, lined the entrance. Inside, a bar offered specialty "Tedtini" cocktails alongside locally brewed Goose Island beers. Fig Media DJ Megan Taylor spun upbeat tunes, and a bowl of souvenirs offered branded candy hearts and "I Love Ted" pins. Guests also got gift bags stuffed with items such as spring lookbooks, OPI nail polish, and mini bottles of Bombay Sapphire Gin.
A British-style bus from Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. transported guests to an after-party at Public House. There, a photo area let partygoers don Ted Baker accessories and pose in front of a London-skyline backdrop.


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Jim Rodgers had hoped for picturesque skies and easy tides out on the water a few weeks ago at Cedar Key, but the reality of what had blown in set him ill at ease and ready to call it a day.
GAINESVILLE — The Child Advocacy Center in Gainesville is selling entries into a drawing for a pair of tickets to one of three University of Florida home football games.
To look at Levy County one could conclude things are pretty idyllic and women are safe.
The Levy County Department of Public Safety thanked the Cedar Key Lions Club for the recent donation of Pots and Pans for the Paramedics and EMT in the county and the ongoing coordination and support they have provided the county's first responders.
The Chiefland Rotary Club celebrated Flag Day, June 14, a little early with a presentation on the meaning of and how to properly fold a flag by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5625 Honor Guard on June 12.
Club Vice President Stewart Wasson also gave a presentation on the history of Flag Day and provided the group with interesting facts about the American flag.
The members of the Honor Guard are Kary Colson, Jacob Wynn, Bud Allen, Joe Elko and Dennis McIntyre.
The Florida Bluebird Society (FBS) has initiated an on-line program to gather information about nesting efforts of the Eastern Bluebird in Florida.
"Blithe Spirit," written by winner of the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival Noel Coward, will be coming to the Chief Theatre, home of the Suwannee Valley Players.
Chiefland Elementary School is now accepting the kindergarten enrollment packets for the 2013-2014 school year.
Summer office hours at the school are Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Levy County 4-H Office is enrolling children for summer day camps. All campers must be at least 8 years old by the date of the camp.
The sun is expected to shine on the 59th Annual Watermelon Festival on Saturday when the mercury reaches into the low 90s.
The 59th Annual Chiefland Watermelon Festival, hosted by the Chiefland Woman's Club, is Saturday, June 1 at Trailhead/Depot Park on U.S. Highway 19 South/South Main Street.
The parade is at 11 a.m. and will organize at the Chiefland High School parking lot and proceed south on U.S. 19/Main Street to the park.
To participate in the parade you MUST fill out and return the attached form by Friday, May 3.
The Suwannee Valley Players will hold auditions for the summer youth program at the Chief Theatre starting this weekend. This year, the productions will be Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and Joseph Robinette's "The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf." Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. and Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at the Chief Theatre, 25 East Park Avenue in Chiefland, FL.
Barefoot in the Park, a Neil Simon play, opens its two-weekend run on Friday, May 10, at the Chief Theater in Chiefland. The Suwannee Valley Players have a special ticket deal for the Mother's Day performance on Sunday, May 12, at 2:30 p.m. that includes admission to the play and a full buffet luncheon at The Gathering Table restaurant in Chiefland prior to show. Tickets at $20 each must be purchased in advance from a ticket outlet or by calling 352-493-ARTS.
National Tourism and
The Levy County Cattlemen and Landowners Association will have its spring meeting on Thursday, May 2, at 7 p.m. at Don Quincey's home on the Suwannee River.
Anyone interested in joining is invited to attend. For more information, call the Levy County Extension Office at 352-486-5131 or the secretary-treasurer at 352-528-3119.
The 21st Annual Antique Car Show at Ayers Health & Rehab Center returns from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 606 N.E. 7th St., Trenton.
Through April 30
The Chiefland FFA Alumni are sponsoring a rodeo on Friday and Saturday, April 19-20, at 8 p.m. at Brookins Arena at Lotoma Ranch, 12570 N.W. 50th Ave., Chiefland.
Two experienced and entertaining storytellers – Bob Patterson and Kaye Byrnes – will join the great artists, heart stickers, food and fun at this weekend's Cedar Key arts festival.
Copyright © 2016
The Chiefland Citizen is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Levy County and Chiefland Florida, and the surrounding area.


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What are you doing, for heaven's sake?Monday, September 29th, 2008 Posted in encouragement, Harvest Crusades, questions | 10 Comments »
Heaven is the future destination of every follower of Jesus. But for now, we are on this earth, and it should be our desire to live our lives the way God intended.
To do that, we need to ask the question, "Why are we here on this earth to begin with?" "Why are you occupying space and time right now?" "What is the reason for our existence?"
Answer: We are here to know and glorify God and bring forth spiritual fruit. A lot more could be said, but let's just begin with those two ideas.
We are here to glorify God
In heaven, the lyrics to one of the songs we will sing are in Revelation 4:11: "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created" (NLT).
There it is. We are to give God glory and honor. We are here to bring pleasure to God.
The problem is that many live to find personal pleasure. I must warn you, that will always be an empty and unsuccessful pursuit.
The Bible warns about this sort of thing: "But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives." (1 Timothy 5:6 NKJV).
We exist for the pleasure of God
The wonderful thing is that when we seek to live for God's pleasure, instead of our own, we will find pleasure! Not the illegitimate pleasure of this world, but a blessed, sanctified pleasure in relationship with the One who made us.
Our lives belong to Him!
We sometimes bristle at the thought of living for God instead of ourselves, because we think somehow our lives belong to us.
But the fact of the matter is Jesus Christ purchased you with His blood shed at the cross. You are now God's property!
Paul reminds us in 1 Cornithans 6:19-20 that we don't really possess our lives, or the lives of others:
"Or don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."
In my next blog entry, I will talk more about the second reason we exist–to bring forth spiritual fruit.
Let me close with two questions: "What are some ways that we can glorify God? "How do you glorify God in your life?"
Greater Philadelphia Harvest
Don't forget to be praying for our crusade in Philadelphia all this week! For more info, click here.
The Inconsolable Longing, Part TwoSaturday, September 27th, 2008 Posted in encouragement, family, Harvest Crusades, Pastor's corner, questions, sermons, travel | 15 Comments »
Jonathan and Christopher Laurie in 2005.
That will be the title in my message this Sunday at Harvest. It will be the third in a trilogy of messages that I have in essence preached to myself after the sudden departure of my son Christopher to heaven.
One thing I have thought about lately: if a life is cut short, is that it? What if a life is hampered by disability or illness? Or shorter than what we had hoped for, due to death, like when a child dies, or a young man or woman? They had no control over these circumstances. Are these people just ones who just lose?
Then you see other people, living out their lives to advanced years and doing nothing with them or, worse yet, living wicked lives.
We are immortal
Don't forget that life is not just the time we have on earth for our short stay here. We are immortal and, according to the Bible, we as Christians will live forever in God's presence.
We will go to heaven when we die as Christians, but we will also see God's kingdom come to earth when Christ returns, where we will live and reign with Him for 1000 years.
We will be busy in the future
We will not be idle during our time in heaven or earth. We will be busy, doing the Lord's work (see Revelation 7:15; 22:3).
You wonder if we will be able to finish some of the tasks that remain incomplete on Earth. Or perhaps dreams that were shattered here will be fulfilled then.
Listen, God will not waste or squander any life or gifts. Death for the believer is not the end of life, but a continuation of it in another place. He has other places and times when those gifts may be fulfilled. How, we do not know.
I will be speaking on this and more this Sunday at Harvest. To find out more about this, tune in or watch the archived webcast. Click here to find out more about our webcasts.
Down to earth talk about heaven
The Greater Philadelphia Harvest is only days away. The dates are October 3-5.
One of the slogans used on the billboards has been "Down To Earth Talk About Heaven!" My son Christopher oversaw the design of this campaign, and little did we know when we chose that phrase how significant it would become, as it seems I have talking a lot about heaven lately.
For more info on the Greater Philadelphia Harvest, click here.
Will we know each other when we get to heaven?Thursday, September 25th, 2008 Posted in encouragement, family, questions | 27 Comments »
This question is asked quite often, and it seems to me that the answer is yes, we will know one another in heaven.
Why is it that we think we would know less in heaven than we do now on earth? You remember how on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus stood–shining like the sun–with Moses and Elijah on each side. Observing this were Jesus' disciples, Peter, James, and John.
Somehow, they knew it was Moses the great lawgiver and Elijah the miracle-working prophet with their Lord. But how? They were not wearing little name tags like one does when invited to a "meet and greet" gathering ("Hi, my name is Moses!"). Moses and Elijah had been in glory, but had been brought back temporarily for this special appearance with Christ.
The answer is that, even in a glorified state, these two men were still Moses and Elijah. In the same way, when we get to heaven, we will still be us!
We will be the same people we were on Earth. We will have the same thoughts, feelings, and desires, but all perfected.
Know this–you will be you in heaven! After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples, He said, "It is I Myself!" (Luke 24:39 NKJV)
In heaven, we will know more, not less
We are told by experts that we only use 5% of our minds. In heaven, we shall surely be restored to a full 100% of it, if not more.
The Bible tells us we shall "know fully" even as we are known (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV). In heaven, we will know just like we do on Earth, except more. We will know more in heaven, but the desire to sin will be gone.
You will still love your family and friends. In fact, it will be a stronger, sweeter, purer love. There will be no more a break in our love than there is a break in our thoughts. Death breaks ties on Earth, but renews them in heaven.
As Erwin Lutzer says in his book One Minute After You Die: "Think of the purest joy on Earth, then multiply that many times, and you might catch a glimpse of heaven's euphoria. Even in the Old Testament, David knew enough to write, 'In Your Presence is fullness of Joy, and on your right hand pleasures for evermore.' Heaven is the perfecting of the highest moments of our present Christian experiences."
What will our new bodies be like?
You will have a new body in heaven, but it will not be in the same state as now. The Bible says, "Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power" (1 Corinthians 15:42-43 NLT).
So if you were disabled on Earth, you won't be in heaven. If your body has cancer, or is just worn out with age, it won't be in heaven.
We often talk about the differences there will be when we make our transition from Earth to heaven. But there are some similarities too. Heaven is the earthly life of the believer glorified and perfected.
"I can't find my car!"
I have been having more of these "senior moments" of late.
For instance, I keep losing my car! If my wife and I go to a mall and park in one of those multi-level parking garages, we will come out and wonder, "Where did we park that car?" So I will walk around, holding up my key and pressing the alarm button, hoping my car will alert me to its whereabouts.
When it does start honking, I usually find it two levels down from the one I am on. Right, I parked on a different level. Sigh.
I know quite a few people in heaven
When we pass over to the other side, our minds and our memories will be clearer than ever before.
My son Christopher is there. So is my mom and my stepfather Oscar, who adopted me. Both of my grandparents are there too. And more and more of my friends. I will be there one day as well.
And the best thing of all is that Jesus Christ is there. I am looking forward to it.
What about you?
ShadowlandsTuesday, September 23rd, 2008 Posted in encouragement, family, questions, sermons | 31 Comments »
Montana sky (Photo by Christopher Laurie, 2008).
So what helps me through it all this difficult process of mourning and grieving over my son?
Thinking about heaven helps a lot. I think a lot about what my son is doing in heaven. For me, heaven is more personal and real now, and it is nearer than it has ever been before.
We have heard it lamely said, "They are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good!" I would suggest that far too many today are so "earthly-minded, they are no heavenly good!"
Keep seeking heaven
We need to know more about heaven!
Why? Paul tells us in Colossians 3:1-2: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (NIV).
As Randy Alcorn points out in his book, Heaven, to "set your minds" speaks of a diligent, active, single-minded investigation. That is a good description of what I have been doing of late.
Sadly, many of us go through a whole day, or even a week, without one thought of heaven. The verb used in Colossians 3:1-2 is also in the present tense "KEEP SEEKING HEAVEN."
So we all need to be more "heavenly-minded." Warren Wiersbe said, "For the Christian, Heaven isn't simply a Destination; it's a Motivation."
But we often wonder, "What is heaven like?"
Let me begin by saying Heaven is an actual place. Jesus said, "I have gone to prepare a place for you."
We often think of Heaven in a "mystical way." Clouds, more clouds, and people floating around. Sounds boring! That is not the biblical heaven, but the heaven of Hollywood or cartoons.
The Bible uses many images, ideas, and words to describe heaven.
Heaven is described as paradise
Remember, Jesus said to the thief on the cross, "Today, you will be with me in paradise." Paul said the same thing when he went to heaven: "It was paradise!" It is a word that is describing "Walled Gardens," like the King of Persia would have.
Heaven is described as a city
Hebrews 11:10 tells us this city has God as both the Architect and Builder. Hebrews 13:14 says, "For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (NIV). Cities have buildings, culture, art, music, goods, services, and events.
Heaven is described as a country
Hebrews 11:16 says, "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" (NKJV).
A Country, A City, A Garden, Paradise
We tend to think of Earth as the real thing, and heaven as the surreal thing. In reality, it's the other way around. That is why C.S.Lewis described Earth as "The Shadowlands."
Earth is the temporary place where we decide our eternal destiny. It is not home; heaven is.
Heaven is real
Heaven is paradise, a city, a country. Heaven is real. And for you who have loved ones that have gone before you, you need to know that is where they are right now.
Yes, we miss them so badly. But thank God they are in this place that we will soon be joining them in.
Until then, let's all try to be a lot more "heavenly-minded!"
How are you doing?Monday, September 22nd, 2008 Posted in encouragement, family, Pastor's corner | 35 Comments »
One thing often asked of someone when they have had someone close to them die is "How are you doing?" Please know that is the hardest question to answer.
Can I just answer for all people who are grieving a recent loss right now? Not very well.
Please don't hold that against us. It's just that we are missing that person badly. We are very, very sad.
We have moments of peace, even joy, but more moments of sadness. We are suffering, yet learning. Grieving, yet rejoicing. Mourning and occasionally laughing. But a good part of the time, we are sad.
It hits us really hard when we are not expecting it. Little landmines we step on, filled with memories.
So, if you happen to catch us at such a moment and ask, "How are you doing?," you may not like what you see and hear.
God is with us
But know this–God is with us. There is even a blessedness in mourning.
Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." But it is mourning, which includes deep sadness, tears, and pain.
Somewhere, we have gotten the idea that sadness and mourning are to be immediately replaced by happiness and celebration. I think in time they will be, but there will always be a hole in the life of a person who has lost a loved one.
The Bible says there is "A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:4,7 NLT). After Stephen was martyred, "Some godly people came and buried Stephen with loud weeping" (Acts 8:2 NLT emphasis mine).
We won't "get over it"
There is a lot of weeping when a loved one has died, especially if it was unexpected. They simply will not "get over it."
When a person has been a part of your life, like our son Christopher was for us for 33 years, you don't just "edit" them out of the script. You notice that empty chair at the table. They are still so much a part of you, yet they are just gone.
That is very hard to comprehend.
A better thing to say
So, instead of asking "How are you doing?," maybe you're better off just saying, "I am sorry for your loss,and I am praying for you!" Or smile and say, "Love you!"
The person may want to talk about it, and if they do, listen, don't talk. Job's counselors had that right. It's when they started talking that the problems began.
You see, when you are mourning, you are vulnerable. The armor is down, and you are sensitive to the right and wrong things being said. You can be easily hurt and, at the same time, helped by what people say and do.
So only speak if you are sure you have the right words from the Lord to give to someone who is grieving. The Bible says, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11 NKJV).
But do say something!
Having said that you should not say the wrong thing, do say something! The only thing more painful than having said the wrong thing is saying nothing.
I know you might be afraid the person will cry if you mention their loved one. But they might resent it if you don't.
Crying is not necessarily a bad thing anyway. There can be tears of joy.
You need to know that when people are grieving, they are "not themselves." You don't know how you will react to things, and thus people do not know what to say.
If someone tells me a story about my son, or shares a memory, I like to hear that. I have been getting a crash course in this, so it's all very fresh to me. I have lost my grandparents and my mom, and as hard as those were, nothing is like this.
So please be patient with mourning people. Give them time. Don't forget to keep praying for them. Store these thoughts up in your mind, like a squirrel would store up nuts for the winter. Because someday you may need to know them for yourself.
"The inconsolable longing"Friday, September 19th, 2008 Posted in encouragement, family, Harvest Crusades, Pastor's corner, questions, sermons | 34 Comments »
The sun peeking through the trees in Montana (photo by Christopher Laurie, 2008).
We have all experienced those very special moments. That brilliant sunset you watched. A special moment with someone you loved. That incredible place you may have visited.
You thought to yourself, "I wish it could always be this way." But it isn't, is it?
Life is filled with sorrows, challenges, trials, and temptations. But it also has it's many joys. I suggest those joys, even at their highest and purest, are just a foretaste of something far greater to come.
I think the thing we begin to realize, especially when you put your faith in Christ, is that you were really made for another world. As the old song says, "This world is not my home, I'm a just a passin' through . . . "
And that is true. The Bible says of our lives on earth, "We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon without a trace" (1 Chronicles 29:15 NLT).
Heaven is our real home, not earth
Do you want to know why that is? It's because your citizenship is in a different place altogether.
When you have put your faith in Christ, you become a citizen of heaven, because that is your real home, not earth. And this longing we have deep inside of us is for something earth can never deliver on, only heaven.
That is why we will always be a bit "out of tune" with this world and all it celebrates. Even more, those things can just leave us cold. Because we as followers of Jesus know there is something more. Much more.
Deep inside, we all long for this place we have never been. C.S. Lewis called it "the inconsolable longing."
"The inconsolable longing"
C.S. Lewis called it "the inconsolable longing," writing:
"There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven, but more often I find myself wondering whether in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else. . . . It is the secret signature of each soul, the incommunicable and unappeasable want, the thing we desired before we met our wives or made our friends or chose our work, and which we shall still desire on our deathbeds when the mind no longer knows wife or friend or work."
So well said.
I have quite a few family members and friends who are in heaven right now. Of course you know my son Christopher is there now, as well.
I have a lot of investment in heaven, as do some of you. And of course, I am going there someday too. So I have been studying heaven quite a bit lately.
Let's talk about heaven!
I am going to speak on the topic of heaven this Sunday morning at Harvest. I want to deal with some questions and issues like:
- "What is heaven like?"
- "Will we know one another there?"
- "What will our new bodies be like?"
- "Do people in heaven know what is going on on earth?"
- "How should the hope of heaven affect us while we live on earth?"
It's often been said, "They are so heavenly-minded, they are no earthly good!" That has to be one of the most idiotic things a person could possibly say.
I think the problem is far more often, "They are so earthly-minded that they are no heavenly good!" So let's all get more heavenly-minded!
Remember to pray
So come join us live or tune in to the webcast live or in archive form. To find out more about that, click here.
Also, please remember to pray for the Greater Philadelphia Harvest. It is only days away now. The dates are October 3-5. For more info, click here.
This too will be webcast live, so you will not want to miss it. If you would, just remember this crusade in prayer everytime you have a meal.
God bless you all.
Why?Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 Posted in encouragement, family, Pastor's corner, questions | 23 Comments »
When tragedy hits us, we often ask the question, "Why?" How can we avoid it? Through the book of Job, Job asks the question "Why?" many times.
There isn't anything necessarily wrong with asking God, "Why?," as long as we don't get the idea that God somehow owes us an answer. Frankly, God does not owe you or me an explanation.
Yet we may still wonder, "Why?"
But let me ask you this, if the Lord did tell you why things happen the way they do, would that ease your pain or heal your broken heart? I don't think so. In fact, it would raise even more questions.
God says, "My ways are above your ways, and my thoughts above yours . . . " We live on promises, not explanations, so we shouldn't spend too much time asking God why.
I too have asked, "Why?" Why did God take my son, and not me? He was only 33 years old, with so much promise. He was a loving husband and father. He was a much-loved son and brother and friend to many. He was walking with God and serving Him.
Why? I don't know. That is my answer.
Chuck Smith told me recently that we should never trade what you don't know for what you do know.
So what do I know?
- I know God loves me.
- I know God loves my son, my wife, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter, and my other son.
- I know God can make good things come out of bad.
So I will stand on what I know, instead of what I don't know.
In his commentary on the book of Job, Chuck Swindoll wrote:
"God never promised He would inform us all about His plan ahead of time; He's just promised He has one. Ultimately, it's for our good and His glory. He knows–we don't. That's why we shrug and admit, 'I don't know.'
But I do know this: The death of His Son was not in vain; Christ died for you; and if you believe in Him, He will forgive your sins, and you will go to live with Him forever. You'll have heaven and all the blessings of it, I do know that."
It's a tough journey, getting there. Full of confusion, struggle, and shrugs, followed by a lot of "I don't knows." But when the heavens open and we're there, hey, there will be no more shrugs, and you'll be able to say, "Now I know!"
Secret things
We could ask the question, "Why?" about many people in the Bible. Why take Stephen at such a young age as a martyr? Later, we read of James being beheaded while Peter is spared.
Why? I don't know. It was God's plan. His mysterious, at times frustrating, unknowable plan.
The Bible says, "The secret things belong to the Lord" (Deuteronomy 29:29 NKJV).
Poor old Job did not know how his life would turn out. All he knew was that one day things were delightful and the next day they were dreadful.
He lost his home, his health, and, worst of all, his children. He had not read the last chapter of his book, so he did not know God would bless him later.
Oh sure, his health would return, his possessions would multiply, but the children he lost were not replaced, so still there was great pain.
Sometimes, when a child has died, people will ask if you have any other children and say, "Well, at least you still have your other kids." But every child is precious and irreplaceable and dear, whether you have two children or 20.
An eternal perspective
In John 11, after the unexpected death of her brother, Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died!" (John 11:21 NKJV)
Martha was saying to Jesus, "Unfair, foul, not right!" But she still cried out to Jesus.
That is what we must do as well. Go to Jesus with your frustrations, anguish, and questions. Call out to Him. Just make sure you listen to His response!
Jesus did not correct Martha for making this statement. Rather, He sought to get Martha back to an eternal perspective here.
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26 NKJV)
Death is not the end. Jesus has overcome it.
Hey everyone!Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 Posted in family, questions, sermons | 32 Comments »
I spoke this last weekend at church for the first time since Christopher's early departure to heaven. I asked everyone to indulge me for a couple of weeks as I essentially preached messages to myself.
This coming Sunday, September 21, I plan to speak on the topic of heaven. What is heaven really like? What will we do when we are there? How should the truth that we will go to heaven one day affect us here on earth?
"Where were you, Lord?"
But my message title for this last Sunday was "Where Were You, Lord?" It was based on John 11, which is the story of the unexpected death of Lazarus and the inevitable grief that followed. It is a story where Jesus showed how He can be glorified through the toughest of circumstances, even the death of a loved one.
To watch the message, click here.
Here is an excerpt from what I said:
So Lazarus had died.
When Jesus finally did come to town, Mary confronted Him with these words: "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother would not have died!" (John 11:21)
Pretty brash words. Have you ever felt that way?
- "Where were you, Lord?"
- "Where were you when my marriage dissolved?"
- "Where were you when my parents divorced?"
- "Where were you when my child went astray?"
- "Where were you when my loved one died?"
Notice that Jesus did not reprove Martha for what she said. This is a good reminder to us to know that it is not sinful to tell God how you feel.
Look at the Psalms, as David honestly cries out to God. He would honestly cry in his pain: "'O God my rock,' I cry, 'Why have you forsaken me? Why must I wander in darkness, oppressed by my enemies?' Their taunts pierce me like a fatal wound. They scoff, 'Where is this God of yours?'" (Psalm 42:9-10 NLT)
Then he corrects himself and says: "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!" (Psalm 42:11 NLT)
Sometimes I preach to myself. I have done this many times. In my pain, I will cry out to God.
I won't tell you what I say, because that is between God and me. But sometimes when the reality of my son's death hits me, all I can say is, "Oh God!"
But then I will preach to myself! I'll say, "Greg, your son is more alive than he has ever been and he is in God's presence right now and you will see him again!"
Even Jesus cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
But the key is that He prayed, "My God, My God . . . "
The point is we must pray! You can fault Mary and Martha all you want, but they brought their doubts to Jesus!
It's not wrong to verbalize your questions, even your doubts. The problem is when you withdraw from God and others, when you become angry and bitter and won't pray at all.
Through all of this, I have cried out to God. Not because I am so strong and spiritual, but because I am so weak and in need.
Cry out to the Lord!
Has tragedy or calamity befallen you? Cry out to the Lord!
When calamity befell him, dear old Job was devastated. We all remember the fact that he worshipped God, saying, "Naked I came into this world, and naked shall I return there . . . Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21 NKJV).
Why did this happen?
Another issue I raised in this message was the "Why" question. Why did this happen?
I will deal with that in my next blog entry. God bless you all.
Christopher the RunnerFriday, September 12th, 2008 Posted in encouragement, family, sermons | 48 Comments »
Hello everyone!
Thanks so much for your kind and very thoughtful words on this blog regarding our son Christopher and his early departure to heaven. Many, many times they have been "words fitly spoken" (see Proverbs 25:11) that have brought encouragement to our family.
I am so sorry to know that so many of you have suffered and are suffering through similar circumstances. But thank you for speaking from your pain and helping me and many others that read this blog.
Christopher the Runner
Topher (my son's nickname) was quite the runner in elementary school. He took it very seriously and had gotten quite good at it, running for our own Harvest Christian School. We went to many of his track meets and cheered him on.
The thing is, I also ran when I was back in school, and while Christopher was more of a cross-country runner, I was a bit better in the shorter races, like the 50-yard dash!
So, as Christopher got older, I would challenge him to a short race from time to time. I would always win, but I did notice that he was getting closer to beating me each time.
The day Christopher beat me
One day, Topher and I were at the beach and, once again, old dad challenged him to a race. We both took off in a burst of energy, but this time it was not all that close. Christopher won the race fair and square.
I was crestfallen! I was proud he had gotten so fast, but a bit sad that I could no longer beat him.
The Race of Life
We are all in the race of life. Paul used the running analogy many times in Scripture, reminding us of this.
In his last epistle, knowing he was headed for heaven soon, Paul wrote this to his young protégé, Timothy:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.And now the prize awaits me–the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return." (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV)
Christopher crossed the finish line before me
I always thought I would finish my race before Christopher and Jonathan, my two sons. But Topher did it again. He beat me, just like that day on the beach! He got to heaven before I did.
Instead of me handing the baton to him, he effectively handed it to me. Now, I have my race to finish, just as you have yours. So let's run well, because we never know when our race will be completed.
Right now, Christopher is in God's presence, worshipping the Lord. And for those of us who have also put our faith in Jesus, we will be doing the same before we know it.
But I sure miss him. More than ever as the days pass since he left us.
I am so thankful I have the hope I will see him again. If I did not have this hope, this would all be unbearable.
This weekend at Harvest
I will be speaking this Sunday at Harvest at all three morning services. This will be my first Sunday preaching in our pulpit since Christopher went to be with the Lord.
Please remember me in prayer, as I will really need it. I am beginning to ease back into this again.
You can come and join us or watch the webcast live or archived.
We still rememberThursday, September 11th, 2008 Posted in sermons | 9 Comments »
As we all know, today is 9/11.
We all remember exactly where we were on this dreadful day when so many Americans lost their lives due to this vicious attack by wicked terrorists on September 11, 2001.
Our hearts go out to and our prayers go up for those who lost loved ones on that day seven years ago. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have to relive this each year with all the media coverage that takes place.
At the same time, we must never forget what happened on this day or those who lost their lives either.
Not long after the attack, I went to Ground Zero and walked through the charred rubble of what had once been the World Trade Center's twin towers. The smoke was still coming from the debris, and the firefighters and emergency personnel were working tirelessly, trying to retrieve bodies.
To say it was a tragic and heartbreaking scene is an understatement. We had teams on-site to provide food and spiritual counsel to those in need during this national trauma.
Be thankful
We all need to thank God today that there has not been another terrorist attack on American soil since 9/11. We also need to continue to pray for our courageous soldiers serving overseas, doing everything they can to stop this from happening again.
Finally, we need to pray for our President, that God would give him great wisdom in the decisions he is called upon to make each and every day.
May God continue to bless America.