Deep waters
A US shallow diver has broken his own world record by swan-diving 36ft (11m) into a paddling pool containing just 12in (30.5cm) of water.
Darren Taylor, also known as “Professor Splash,” dived into a pool of near-freezing water in Trondheim, Norway, making the jump his 13th Guinness certified record.
Mr Taylor, who is from Colorado in the US, has 25 years’ professional high-diving experience and works as a stunt diver.
I watched this stunt a number of times this morning. Seeing the tiny paddling pool and the interview with the diver, the whole thing looks ridiculous, not to mention, highly dangerous. Fortunately the man survived, delighting the Norwegian crowd as he did so.
Many men jump headlong into what they think is a safe place. Perhaps it starts with a film or a magazine where there is a bit of mild nudity. Before they know if they are buying top-shelf hard-core porn or hitting internet pornographic sites regularly. They don’t have to be single, young or even men who don’t have a good sex life. They could be normal ‘nice’ people, just like you and me.
The porn industry is huge. It is absolutely saturating the internet and gets millions of hits worldwide a day. Estimated use is not limited to those outside of church either folks. It is the number one issue for most guys guys 11-17 in church. Accountability sites like the triple x one are getting more and more use as people in churches are wising up to the need for help.
A close pal of ours is researching this issue right now. The figures are frightening. What is our response? To pretend it is not there? To campaign for its removal? To pray and counsel those who suffer from its effects on their lives?
Yes. All of the above.
But I think more than this, we need to start preaching and teaching about it – bringing it out from the shadows and allowing it to be scrutinised by the light. The darkness cannot put it out.