I’ve been at a conference in Atlanta for the last few days. God used this time to stretch me in all kind of ways, but there was a quote in the last session that Andy Stanley borrowed from Craig Groeschel which really got me thinking.
“To reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing”
I will be unpacking this for the next few days. What I do know, is the church tends to be slow in taking risks when it comes to reaching people. The sad reality is some churches completely refuse to take any risks at all. And yet there is so much at stake.
Do you know whose not afraid to take risks? David Blaine.
Just read a crazy article that describes how David Blaine set a new world record for breath-holding on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at 17 minutes and 4.4 seconds, during a live telecast of “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” in Chicago.
The article also states that the average person can hold their breath for two minutes. I thought we would hold our own little competition here at Without Wax. So, hold your breath, and time it. Leave your time in the comments and we’ll see who holds the record. Be honest and gooooooo! And yes, I guess you can play more than once.
Pete
36.4….I have got to stop smoking! I’ll try again later this afternoon.
61 seconds…but I just about passed out doing it!
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
We’ll have to find something else new to reach people, other than holding our breath. I made it 1:01. Maybe I should see a doctor. lol
I’d be afraid to try this today–I’m so tired. But when I do get the chance, I’ll let you know. Just warn people not to do this while they are driving! Maybe we could use this as creative element in the service sunday and give you a really big number!
Look at you- Ruggles and Sircy are in a dead tie. We may might need a breath-off!
About 45 seconds… but I’m still seeing spots.
2 minutes but I didn’t have a second hand on the computer…I scrolled through your blog to keep me distracted. Now I need breakfast before I fall out on the floor. David Blaine is a FREAK of nature.
13 seconds… I had to get another sip of coffee…
1:08
Great post. Looking forward to more thoughts on this topic.
David Blane is a hack and I only made it :45 seconds, looks like I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue.
wow, giant idiot beat me by .37 seconds, not cool. i’ll have to try again later!
How long was it dude, in ‘Men of Honor’, held his breath? 4 minutes?
Dang Rachel. I don’t know which one I’m more offended by. The fact that you beat me by at least a minute or that you read my whole blog in 2 minutes
This is so true. The raw truth about it is that the same ole’ same ole’ way of doing church just isn’t cutting it anymore. Times have changed, culture has changed, people have changed. So must the church change with it if we are to reach those of the current generation and beyond.
I grew up in a church that prided itself in “not getting caught up in this new fangled way of doing church” they claimed that God doesn’t change so neither should his people. As I come into my own relationship with Christ and grow I’ve realized more than ever that is a load of crap! We ARE his people, but He created us for change, and no God’s character does not change, but the way He packages Himself to reach a variety of people does.
It’s time for the church to stop putting God (and church) in a box. We serve a complex God with brilliant ways of doing things. Why can’t we all just get over ourselves and let Him lead where He will. He has a lot of people that desperately need to be reached, and He doesn’t have time for us to camo out on what has always made us comfortable. This is not about us and what we “prefer”, it’s about Him. We just have to let Him do his amazing thing!
Ecclesistes 3:1
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
In reference to my last comment I refer you back to one of my recent previous blog postings, it caused somewhat of a stir:
http://rachelrowell.wordpress.com/2008/04/17/kickin-it-up-a-notch/
1:05.
1:52
i probably would have passed out at 2:00.
this makes me think that david blaine is really a robot.
1:40
I feel like I could do better, but I’m at work and people keep talking to me.
Try it again tonight.
http://www.vagabondrunn.wordpress.com
34 sec….not very good…ha..
Rachael, that is a good word. It took me a long time to realize, that our God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, loves change, as it applies to taking the message to others. Matter of fact, it is essential, if we are going to impact this generation.
People who refuse to change the way they do things, whether they realize it or not, are saying, I’m going to keep it to myself.
39.51…no excuses, just out of shape…
1:03 on one try, and i don’t think i’ll try it again! i’m a little dizzy now.
The guys are getting slaughtered right now. Women can obviously hold their breath longer. I’m doing breathing exercises in hope of killing my time this afternoon!
Are you pregnant Pete?
Pete – the women keep winning because they’re so used to holding their breath waiting for us guys to change!
That’s my theory anyway.
Brad Ruggles
http://www.bradruggles.com
Hey Pete. Saw your post and had to try it. 1:16 for me.
1:15 and I am going to bed now.
52 seconds. I used to be able to go alot longer. Don’t ask how I know.
I’m not doing this…..you’re just trying to get rid of me.
Come on Debbie. Brett Michaels, would do it!
Pete, that will cause her to lose her breath, not hold it. lol
THAT was so low….and yes, Bret does take my breath away-in a good “Christian-sorta-way”…
Man that is so true. Unique people have to be reached in unique ways. Are we willing to go after people in the same manner that Jesus went after us. What a risk. But is it? When I risk everything it really risks God nothing. It is at the end of ourselves that we find all of God. Beyond my limits I find the limitlessness (if that’s a word) of God. When we take a risk for God for the sake of others we will find God does not disappoint.
We need to let God stretch our creativity and increase our boldness and our faith. Extreme times call for extreme measures.
I made it 1:15…I only care if I beat Pete!
51 seconds. that’s it!?!?
I’d do it again but the report would read more like this…
“This is inWorship. My wife held her breath for 52 seconds this morning. Her memorial will be held tomorrow at noon.”
Competition is alive and well! (and not just for guys anymore … hallelujah!)
Nice to read that holding your breath STILL ranks right up there on the ‘things to try’ list! Although, I’ve got to say, as a baby boomer – it used to be on the list that was usually exercised by 5th grade boys!
You all ROCK! I love fun Christians.
1:12. I almost fell over!
1:25 – I think I am about to have an asthma attack…where’s my inhaler?
David Blaine – that levitating stuff he does freaks me out. Must be some cheap parlor trick, still freaks me out.
Love to do things differently! I love it when I tell people things that my church is doing and they go….”What?” I think most churches are all trying to reach the same people. Too often it’s people that are already reached! Oh, and 7 seconds….I suck.
45 seconds. I lose.
pete, i knew you had a competitive spirit, but wow, come on… oh, and i didn’t hold my breath because i KNEW i would lose… i like brad ruggles theory.
1:02 that was my second try, first try I only got 46 sec. I might add I thought I was going to die after 1:02
1:18 on second try. I beat Brandi!
Whew! 1:16, I really think I could add a few more seconds, but would it be worth it if I lost too many brain cells all at once?
I think Pete and Brandi need to video the head to head competition tonight and post it here tomorrow. I’m pulling for Brandi. Pete, did you have a witness? Yes, I’m calling you out…and I am ashamed.
I believe there is something not quite right with Mr. Blaine, I’d like to know his secret, but I’m not holding my breath.
i’m up to 54.33 wooo hooo, can’t see straight now and starting to sweat…
2:45 on my first try. I might be able to do 3:00 next time.
“To reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing”
So what are we doing as a church to “hold our breath”?
Pete tomorrow are you going to ask how long we can stand on one foot? The minions await your orders.
I can stand on one foot for 12:03 min. how ’bout u?
At least an entire Office episode
Try #1 = 40.4 seconds
Try #2 = 107.6 – Then I blacked out, ok, not fully but I wanted to!
it would depend on which foot…and also whether shoes were allowed or not…
@ncarnes
You just proved my point, thank you!
I don’t know how long it is, but the whole time I’ve been in tunnels in Baltimore and Boston. You gotta hold your breath in tunnels. Why? Who knows???
Wilson – I don’t believe your 1:18 – I want to see it in person.
I see a smackdown coming at Casa Wilson tonight!
does sleep apnea count?
What an incredible insight. It seems like such a common sense thing, but unfortunately we often times fail to think that way. Thanks for the reminder!
33 the second time.
shoot darn.
70 seconds.
wow.
i thought i was going to totally suck at that.
Around 60 sec. not bad. I am a little light headed. Good hanging out Monday night. I am adding you as well. Have a good one.
I’ve got my money on Brandi !
Jonathan Wells. Holy cow. 2:45 is stinking amazing!
over one and a half min. …my old kid can do two without breaking a sweat…
1:30 reading the blog definitely helps to get your mind off it.
2:05
http://invitationtotruth.wordpress.com
As impressive as Mr. Blaine’s talent is, anything over 4 minutes can cause brain damage. Sorry to be such a downer!
Your blog is pretty cool, though – I love the “without wax” story!
So, after reading the blog comments – then watching Pete n’ Brandi in that American Gladiators kitchen competition, I had to try it myself.
While my hubby was watching TV, I quietly sat on the couch beside him, holding my breath while timing myself.
45 seconds without even trying too hard. So, I tried it again and went 1:03. Wahoo! I don’t think I expected to improve that much. But I did want to improve. Glad I gave it a second shot.
I don’t think Joe’s gonna let me do it anymore, though.
2 minutes, 31 seconds
3 minutes, 25 seconds! That’s my new personal best. Here’s how I did it: I was very relaxed – had been lying down surfing the internet for about 3 hours. I took several deep breaths – almost hyperventilating, then one last deep breath and held for about 2.5 minutes then I began exhaling short bursts until about 3 minutes then exhaled fully and held it another 20 seconds. At 3 minutes, 25 seconds I finally took another breath.
nathan – that’s just wrong
4min 14secs although i am a freediver and do train a bit
2:37 secs, i heard that david blaine used pure oxygen before attempting this trick
Yes its pure oxygen but still, previous record was 16 min something. And with normal oxygen its 9 min.
1min47 sec here…id like doing 4 min
1 min and 15 secounds. There’s no way David could really do that without cheating. LOL
1:22:1, but I was holding in a hit so I don’t know my real average
1:23! I am probably the youngest who tried. I am Ten. Woohoo!
Wow lydia sure you go 1 minute 23 secs right after he goes a minute 22.
When i tried it initially about 2 months ago, i could do btw 45sec to 60sec. But it can be improve with a bit of training. Now i can do 2min 15sec.
I can go a minute 3 seconds (but that is my record).
But I am just a little kid lol
I did 4 min 35 Seconds. However, I train swimming laps underwater. With no air in my lungs I can do 1 min 48 seconds.