Sermon Central
-
Architectural Design By Touch
Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012 (message contributor)
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BY TOUCH
Three years ago (2008), Chris Downey had just started a promising architectural job at a successful design firm. A few weeks after he took the job, he noticed that there was something wrong with his vision. The doctors told him he had a tumor wrapped around his optic nerve, which required immediate surgery. After the surgery he could see with blurred sight, but five days later everything went dark. Downey had become permanently blind.
Downey tried to maintain his architectural work, but he couldn’t read the plans or use the design software. Initially, Downey’s limitations jeopardized his job, until he found a blind computer scientist who had devised a way to read tactile architectural plans. Much to his surprise Downey discovered that his blindness actually gave him a unique way to “observe” interior spaces – not with his eyes, but with his fingers. As one of the company vice presidents would later say, “At first I thought, Okay, this is going to be a limitation. But then I realized that the way he reads drawings is… the way we experience space.”
Downey is now able to use his fingers to “walk” through a space and “view” it from a different (and sometimes a better) perspective. Due to his blindness, he can also envision new possibilities for the creative use of space. As a result, his limitations, or weaknesses, have become gifts and strengths – not only for himself, but also for his community. (Douglas McGray, “Design Within Reach,” The Atlantic, October 2010)
From a sermon by C. Philip Green, When Life Isn’t Fair, 9/1/2011
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
An American Missionary Was Traveling Across Korea ... PRO
Contributed by George Rennau on Aug 25, 2003
An American missionary was traveling across Korea by train. At a busy station an old man boarded and sat across from Him. The man was Korean and he addressed the American in his native tongue. The Missionary responded in the only Korean phrase that he knew which was "I DON’T UNDERSTAND". A ...read more
-
The Bible Tells The Story Of Absalom. He Was ... PRO
Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 28, 2005
The Bible tells the story of Absalom. He was the son of King David — Israel’s greatest king. Through a series of circumstances, Absalom began to despise his father and made plans to become king in his father’s place. He surreptitiously sowed seeds of division and rebellion in his father’s ...read more
-
Jim Cymbala Stated This About Unlocking God's ... PRO
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 9, 2005
Jim Cymbala stated this about unlocking God’s blessing from his book Break Through Prayer: According to Scripture, God’s blessing can rest on both men and women, because with God there is no gender bias. His blessing can rest on a family, a child, or even unborn offspring. It can prosper a local ...read more
-
The Political Convention Was In Chaos. Each ... PRO
Contributed by George Rennau on Aug 25, 2003
The political convention was in chaos. Each delegation wanted something different. Some favored states rights, others wanted a stronger central government. Larger states wanted greater representation, and small states wanted an equal voice. Debate dragged on and on. Finally the committee ...read more
-
Whenever I'm Tempted To Whine About The Demands ...
Contributed by Curtis Deming on Apr 16, 2005
Whenever I’m tempted to whine about the demands of leadership, I think of the story of Timothy. He had just heard Paul deliver the report of the Jerusalem Council that circumcision was unnecessary for Gentile converts. Yet Paul circumcised Timothy to avoid offending the Jews in the area. Timothy ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Almost Drowned By Life’s Distractions
Contributed by Spencer Miller on Apr 27, 2013
One of the worst and most serious of all life’s distractions is our fears which may momentarily cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus.
-
Persecution - Are My Hands Clean? Series
Contributed by Rev. Saeed Richardson on Sep 9, 2007
What comes to your mind when you think of persecution? What are some of the thoughts and images? What are some of the actions and deeds?
-
Where Ravens Fly
Contributed by Donnie Martin on Dec 4, 2010
Using experiences from the life of Elijah the prophet, this message seeks to show that the ravens of God’s provision fly in the worst of conditions, and the direst of circumstances.
-
When Life Isn't Fair Series
Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 1, 2011
When life is unfair, put your faith in the Lord; be faithful to Him; and if things get worse, keep your faith in the Lord. Don’t stop trusting the One, the only One, who is absolutely trustworthy.
-
Dragon Slayer
Contributed by Doane Brubaker on Jun 29, 2007
Jesus has the authority, power and desire to help us overcome the problems that overwhelm us.
