Participants:
Series Code: IIWC
Program Code: IIWC201923S
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00:00 >> Let me throw a scenario at you that some of you may be able to relate to.
00:05 Imagine that you're sitting in the stands, watching a local hockey game. 00:09 >> There are 300 other people there, mostly families with young children. 00:14 >> And on the ice, one of the players fires the puck at the net. 00:18 It ricochets off another player's stick, over the glass, and into the stands, straight 00:23 towards you. >> The rock-hard rubber disk punches into your side, cracking 00:29 three of your ribs. >> And the excruciating pain drops you to your knees, 00:34 'causing you to feel like you're about to die. >> Someone calls for an 00:38 ambulance to take you to the hospital right away. >> And the next day, when they 00:42 release you from the hospital, you return home. >> Now, if you were honestly 00:46 describing this event to your friends the next day, would you describe it as fortunate or 00:53 unfortunate? >> When this question was posed to groups of people, the 00:58 response is usually divided 70-30. >> Seventy percent claim that it 01:04 is an extremely unfortunate situation, whereas the other 30% believe it to be undeniably 01:11 fortunate. >> So, how can people have such vastly different interpretations 01:17 of the exact same event? >> Well, let's look at some of the explanations. 01:22 >> Those in the "unfortunate" camp gave answers like the following. 01:26 >> "I should have stayed home. This thing almost never happens. How unlucky is it that I 01:32 happened to be there?" >> Another one said, "I have three cracked ribs. 01:37 That is clearly unfortunate." >> Or another said, "I entered the hockey arena perfectly 01:42 healthy, and I left in an ambulance. I don't know about you, but 01:46 that's not my idea of a good time." >> What about this one? 01:49 It's kind of humorous. "There were at least 300 other people at the hockey game. 01:54 Surely, someone deserved to get hit with a puck more than me." Maybe not. 01:59 These people could not understand how getting hit by a high-speed hockey puck could 02:05 ever be viewed as a fortunate occurrence until they heard the explanation of those who thought 02:11 that it was fortunate. >> One person who thought it was fortunate answered, "I could 02:17 have been hit somewhere far worse than my ribs. I could have ended up with brain 02:23 damage or even died. I feel incredibly fortunate." >> Now, that's a good answer. 02:28 What about this one? "It's amazing that no one else got hurt. 02:31 There were at least 300 other people at the hockey game, including children. 02:36 It's unbelievably lucky that I was the only one who got hurt." >> Every mind has the ability to 02:43 make sense of the same circumstance. Every brain chooses to interpret 02:49 the event as a loss or a gain, a setback or a new start. >> When unexpected trials hit 02:57 us, do we dwell upon what we've lost, or do we praise the Lord for the blessings that we have 03:04 received? >> James, the brother of Jesus, encourages us in James 1:2 03:11 to adopt a counterintuitive mind-set when he writes, "My brethren, count it all joy 03:17 when we fall into various trials." >> I can't tell you how many 03:22 times I have been tempted to let my trials destroy me. So, let me give you some 03:27 examples. When I was 3 years old, my parents got a divorce. 03:32 And my brothers and I, we ended up in an orphanage. And when some people hear that, 03:36 they get, "Oh, that's so tragic. How can you go on?" Well, it got worse. 03:41 When I was 10, my eldest brother, Joe, was killed in a tractor accident. 03:46 Then, when I was 16, my mother committed suicide. When I was 26, my brother Pete, 03:53 he fell 50 feet from a scaffold, and he was killed. However, if you were to ask me 04:00 today how my life is, I would honestly answer, "It's fantastic." 04:06 And it's true. I mean, I do love my life. And it is fantastic, not 04:12 because of all the losses. That would be a terrible interpretation. 04:16 I loved every one of those people that God put into my life, and I'm so thankful that 04:21 they're still in my heart. And I'm even more grateful to know that they're in God's heart 04:29 and that He has the keys to open every single grave, and one day soon He will do that and release 04:37 them from the influence of death. >> Rather than feeling like 04:42 helpless victims of our past, we can each know that we are incredibly blessed to be called 04:48 children of God. Every day, we fall on our knees and thank Him for His many 04:54 blessings. With God, every trial that knocks us down is an opportunity 04:59 for us to not fall down but to fall up, to rise higher than we could ever imagine possible. 05:06 >> So, if you have ever felt like giving up, like life is not worth living, then I want to 05:13 encourage you to watch today's program, because we'll be talking to Pastor Philip Lee, 05:20 who, after experiencing a tragic loss that shook his life, discovered the blessings that 05:27 you, too, may experience in the midst of your afflictions, how you can be filled with joy and 05:34 peace in the midst of tragedy and pain. 05:40 ♪♪ ♪♪ 05:53 ♪♪ 05:59 Thank you for choosing to join us on "It Is Written Canada." 06:03 We are looking at the question of tragedy and how trials come 06:06 into our lives. And in James, the Bible James, 06:09 chapter 1, verse 2, James says, "Count it all joy when you fall 06:14 into various trials." And, of course, that is a test 06:17 of faith, to really put your faith in God. 06:20 And we have with us today Pastor Philip Lee, from the College Park Seventh-Day 06:25 Adventist Church here in Oshawa, and he is a man of faith. And so, we're going to listen to 06:30 his story. He has a story of how God had led him in the past, and how he 06:35 went through a shocking experience. So, thank you for joining us, 06:40 Pastor Philip, and we're just so honored that you took your time to be with us today. 06:44 >> Thank you so much for having me here. It's my honor and privilege to 06:48 be here this morning. >> So, tell us something about yourself. 06:52 >> Well, I guess all I can say, I'm a blessed man. 06:55 God has been so good to me, and I'm married to a beautiful wife, 06:59 Emily, and I have two children, Enoch and Chloe. 07:02 And I thank the Lord for His blessings. >> Mm. They are blessings. 07:07 >> So, Pastor Philip, you have been in the ministry now for quite a while, and I'm sure you 07:13 do believe in miracles. But I'm gonna ask you, anyway. Do you believe in miracles? 07:18 >> Yes, I do. In fact, I preach about miracles, and, actually, my life 07:24 itself is a miracle. I was born into the Lee family, and, according to my 07:29 grandmother, I shouldn't have survived this long. And when I was born, I came 07:35 about close to 8 weeks early and was premature baby, and I was weighing less than 4 pounds. 07:41 >> Wow, that's a premature baby. So, it sounds like your grandmother was a lady of faith. 07:46 Can you tell us about your family background, in terms of faith and Christianity? 07:51 >> Actually, they were not Christians to begin with. >> Oh. 07:55 >> My grandparents, and they both were successful businessmen in capital city of Seoul, Korea. 08:01 >> Mm-hmm. >> So, they were doing the business, and things are going 08:05 well until one day, and they get an invitation from a friend, saying that there's a huge event 08:11 taking place, and they invited them. It was a Bible-prophecy seminar. 08:15 >> Mm. >> So, that one led them, and they were just curious, but they 08:20 started attending the seminars, and my grandfather was a little bit hesitant. 08:25 >> Mm-hmm. >> My grandfather wasn't convicted. 08:27 So, she gave herself to the Lord. She became a Christian. 08:31 And let me tell you. My whole family is a miracle, because my grandfather had some 08:38 influences under alcohol, and he wasn't the best father. He wasn't the best husband. 08:45 >> So, your grandmother was fully in. She learned from the Bible. 08:49 She gave her heart to the Lord, but your grandfather wasn't. >> Yeah, first time she was 08:55 introduced to the Bible prophecy in the Bible, and it was night and day. 08:59 She became a faithful Christian since that time, but it was a different story for my 09:04 grandfather. >> Yes. >> And he was an alcoholic. 09:07 He wasn't the best father figure, in a way. It took him a while, but 09:13 gradually and thankfully he became a Christian, as well. >> Mm. 09:17 >> Let me tell you. Bible is powerful. >> It is. 09:20 >> I think he should have died a long time ago. Because the Bible, he made some 09:24 change in his life. He only passed away last year. He was at the age of 104. 09:29 >> Whoa! >> I thank the Lord for that. >> Wow, praise the Lord. 09:32 >> So, your grandparents were a very strong example for you and your parents, as well. 09:38 So, did you continuously follow their example and become a strong Christian, as well? 09:45 >> I thought so. I mean, I was born into this faith community, and church life 09:51 was normal, and I grew up having a family worship at home, reading the Bible, reading 09:57 Scriptures and prayer and witnessing and sharing about Christ. 10:03 I thought I was a pretty strong Christian until I came to Canada. 10:08 I was 17 when I first came to Canada. And I didn't know much about the 10:14 language until my experience in British Columbia. >> Mm. 10:19 So, you went to school in British Columbia. >> Yes, I did. 10:22 >> And what happened there? >> It was a beautiful school. It's situated in 10:28 British Columbia, beautiful boarding, Christian school. >> Mm-hmm. 10:32 >> One day I got a call from my uncle, who was living in Vancouver. 10:36 >> Mm-hmm. >> He says, "Can I come and visit you?" 10:41 I thought it was very strange because he doesn't really normally visit, not during that 10:45 time. He said, "I got to come and talk to you face-to-face." 10:48 So, I knew that something was not right. >> Mm-hmm. 10:52 >> So, next day, as he promised, he came. I got a knock on my door. 10:57 I welcomed him, and I knew that something was not right. He looked very serious. 11:02 He looked very depressed. He came to my room, and he said, "Phil, sit down. 11:08 I have something I got to share with you. You got to grab hold of 11:12 yourself." >> Mm-hmm. >> He says, "Last night, the 11:16 mother died." >> Mm. >> I thought what he meant was 11:20 my grandmother. That's his mother, right? And he said, "No, no, not your 11:26 grandmother, but your mother passed away." >> Mm! 11:30 >> I thought it was very strange. "What do you mean? 11:34 I just saw her two weeks ago. She came to visit here two weeks ago. 11:38 I just talked to her last night. What do you mean?" 11:42 >> Mm. >> And he said, "It's hard to believe. 11:44 I'm still trying to process my thoughts, but your mom passed away yesterday morning." 11:52 And that changed my life. >> Mm-hmm. >> It basically changed my life 12:01 upside down. My whole world was changed, because I thought I was living a 12:06 normal Christian life until that time. I really enjoyed the school. 12:11 We have a wonderful staff. I enjoyed the programs. And then this thing shook me. 12:18 >> Mm. >> And I wasn't sure what kind of emotions I was dealing with. 12:23 >> Yeah. >> Mm-hmm. >> And basically my foundation 12:27 was shaking. >> Mm-hmm. >> I thought I had a pretty good 12:30 understanding of who God is -- a God who understands, who cares for us. 12:34 >> Mm-hmm. >> That got changed all the sudden. 12:37 >> Mm-hmm. >> To make things worse, I couldn't go back to my mom's 12:42 funeral due to some of the immigration issues I was facing at the time. 12:47 So, I was asked to remain at school. My brother went, represented the 12:53 family. I was in my room. Literally two weeks in a row, I 12:58 was in my room. I didn't even move an inch. I wasn't hungry. I didn't eat. 13:05 I wasn't even thirsty. But my brain was fully functioning. 13:10 I was processing my thoughts. Started asking questions, "Why and why and why?" 13:16 I believe that's a question that everyone is asking, even today. >> Absolutely. 13:21 >> I know the babies are asking those questions. Teenagers are asking questions. 13:25 I think we do, too. I was going through the question. 13:30 As I mentioned, I grew up a Christian, so I believe in God. I thought I believe in God. 13:36 I thought I understand who God is until that time. I wasn't sure who God was in my 13:42 life. So, basically, if I do recall, that was one of the worst 13:49 experiences of my life. >> Mm-hmm. >> When I think of it, I still 13:54 remember all the emotions I was going through in my mind. I wasn't sure why. 14:00 For two weeks of my time there, I wasn't sure whether I'm dreaming or whether I'm in real 14:09 life, because I would have oftentimes nightmares. Sometimes I'll wake up in my 14:13 dream, too. >> Mm. >> I was meeting my mom. 14:17 When I wake up, thinking and knowing that my mom's no longer there, it just drove me crazy. 14:23 >> Yeah. >> I guess I was really depressed. 14:27 >> Mm-hmm. >> So, the two weeks was extended -- two weeks of an 14:32 intense emotional turmoil I was going through -- and it became next two years was worst time of 14:39 my life. So, thinking about it day and night for weeks, I came to 14:48 basically two conclusions in my life. I said, number one, maybe God 14:57 does not exist. If God that my dad talked about, he preached about, there is no 15:05 way that this will be allowed into someone's life. I said, "You know what? 15:12 There's no God." That was my number-one conclusion. 15:16 And number two, I left a little bit of a doubt there, too. If there is God, I concluded 15:22 there's no way that it's God of love that Bible talks about. 15:26 >> Mm-hmm. >> Bible talks about God is merciful, He's loving, He's 15:31 forgiving, He cares for His children. >> Mm-hmm. 15:35 >> And in my mind -- I was only about 18 at the time -- but in my logic, my reasoning, there 15:42 was no way that's God of love. So, I concluded, "That's it. I think my Christian journey 15:49 ends right there." >> Mm-hmm. >> So, then, Pastor Philip, you 15:54 became an atheist then but you still continued staying at that Christian school. 16:00 >> And that's why it was one of the worst times of my life. It was a Christian boarding 16:07 school. I loved the school. It was fantastic, situated in 16:11 B.C., beautiful valley. Programs were fantastic. Staff was very supportive. 16:16 I enjoyed the academics of it. So, I didn't want to leave that place. 16:21 At the same time, it was a Christian school. So, I decided in my mind, "You 16:26 know what? I'm going to finish my high school here, 'cause I really 16:31 enjoy here. At the same time, I'm not going to live as a Christian." 16:36 I said, "You know what? Because the conclusion I made, from now on, whether I like it 16:43 or not, that's my choice. I am an atheist." So, basically, about next year 16:51 and a half, I lived my life, double life. >> Mm. 16:57 >> Which is kind of interesting. I think probably many people do not admit it. 17:01 I think that's how we live in today's world. Not only teenagers. 17:06 You know, those married couples, seniors. Oftentimes, we live our double 17:12 standards. That's how I lived, because it was Christian boarding school, 17:19 and school began very early. I believe 6:00 was our morning worship service. 17:25 I had to be there. Actually, to make things worse, I was assistant dean, 17:30 student dean. That means waking kids up, get them ready for worship. 17:36 Oftentimes, that involves leading the worship, preaching, and singing and prayers. 17:43 >> So, you're living this double standard, as you know in your heart, in your mind, "I'm 17:50 preaching to others. I'm encouraging them to pray. But I don't believe in God." 17:56 How'd you get through that? >> Mm-hmm. >> I didn't do well. 18:00 >> Mm. >> Because it's two schools of thought I was dealing with. 18:05 One was leading this way. The other one was leading this way. 18:10 The further I went on in both journeys, I realized it was pulling me apart, because I 18:16 appeared to be a very good Christian. According to the staff and 18:20 teachers, they said, "He is a perfect example of being a good Christian." 18:25 >> Mm. >> 'Cause I was up in the front, leading and leading the children 18:29 to Christ, whereas I didn't really believe in Him. I stopped praying. 18:35 I stopped reading the word of God. I appeared to be a very good 18:41 Christian. However, I have my mask on. In real life, in my room, I was 18:46 dealing with all the doubt. I was reminding myself, "I'm no longer a Christian." 18:53 >> Mm. >> "I don't believe in God, so I'm gonna live my life." 18:58 >> That must have been so stressful, living that double life. 19:02 >> Mm-hmm. >> Must have caused a lot of stress for you. 19:06 >> And, I mean, I'm looking at you now, and you're a pastor. How did you do that? 19:11 How did you become? Because obviously you're not an atheist anymore. 19:15 >> Thank God I am not. [ Laughter ] First of all, I thank the Lord 19:21 for bringing me back. And there was some actual point in my life actually I wanted to 19:27 quit my life, end my life. >> You're talking about suicide. >> Yes. 19:32 >> Mm. >> After two weeks of that turmoil in my mind, and entering 19:37 to early stage of depression in my life. So, for about a year and a half, 19:42 I was depressed in such a way that I could not really know whether I'm depressed or not. 19:49 But I was depressed. And living a double life gave me a great deal of stress. 19:55 I was not sleeping well. And I was not eating well. At the same time, I have to 20:01 meet certain standards. So, I tried to do my best. At the same time, my body was 20:06 failing. I got sick often. Especially in my mind became 20:11 very sick. >> Mm-hmm. >> One day I was lying down, 20:16 tried to fall asleep. I was struggling. When you try to sleep, but when 20:20 you cannot, you just struggle in your mind. >> Your mind is just going and 20:25 going and going. Yeah. >> So, I came to a thought 20:28 saying that, "You know what? There's no point of living like this." 20:32 >> Mm-hmm. >> So, what can I do? I don't have much of hope. 20:38 Maybe last hope that I have is ending my own life from this misery and depression 20:46 and these suicidal thoughts. >> Mm-hmm. >> So, next few days, secretly I 20:52 was looking for ways to end my life. I mentioned the school is 20:58 situated in beautiful B.C. The school is overlooking the Fraser Valley. 21:04 It's built on a cliff. So, I thought about maybe jumping off a cliff. 21:09 Maybe that will end my life. That would be too tragic. I thought maybe it's too 21:14 painful. >> Mm-hmm. Did you talk to anyone about 21:17 this? >> No. >> You didn't share this with 21:19 anyone, how you were feeling? >> Because of the double standards, because of double 21:22 life I had. >> You were scared, yeah. >> I was scared. 21:26 >> Mm-hmm. So, what would you say to someone who would be in your 21:29 situation today? What would you say? "You need to talk to someone." 21:33 >> I think so. I think that's the advice I'd like to give. 21:36 >> Mm-hmm. >> I thought I was alone, struggling alone. 21:39 I realized I was not. >> Was there someone there for you? 21:42 >> Actually, there were many people there for me. First of all, my brother was 21:46 there with me. >> Mm-hmm. >> I think he knew what was 21:49 going on, but not fully. So, he tried to be there every chance he has. 21:53 >> Mm-hmm. >> And number two, I thank the Lord for my father. 21:58 He's a man of faith. I admire him. I respect him. Now I'm married. 22:03 Understand what it means to have a spouse. I can't even imagine losing my 22:09 family, especially losing my wife. >> Yeah. 22:13 >> For me at the time, I lost my mother. But for my dad, he lost his life 22:19 partner. They did everything together. I'm not sure what it meant for 22:26 him, but I realized there's something different about him that I realized. 22:32 My faith was so weak. When I look back, I realize I didn't have a good foundation. 22:39 I had the knowledge. I read the Bible. I went to worship services. 22:43 I went to Christmas, and I know. I even talked about, taught others about Christ. 22:48 However, I didn't have a good foundation. But when I looked at my dad, I 22:53 saw something that I didn't have but he had. >> Mm-hmm. 22:58 >> That was faith that was so real. Mine was very superficial. 23:04 But what he had was strong, so tangible, I was able to hear. I was able to see it. 23:11 >> So, it was your dad's influence that changed you. >> He didn't push me, and he 23:18 didn't force me. I think he knew. I didn't tell him everything, 23:22 all the details, but he knew what was going on. We're still talking about '90s. 23:28 So, he wrote me a letter every single week. He was in Korea still, and I was 23:33 in Canada. He wrote me a letter, international mail. 23:37 I was expecting every single week. >> Wow. 23:40 >> Came faithfully for about 18 months. >> Mm. 23:43 >> Letter of encouragement. He wrote me how much he loves me. 23:50 He wrote me how sorry he was, not being there for me. >> Mm. 23:55 >> And he wrote me letters of encouragement. I couldn't -- I still keep them 24:00 there. From time to time, I take them out. 24:03 I read them. It gives me encouragement and hope. 24:06 >> Mm-hmm. >> So, I knew that he will not stop praying for me. 24:11 He said he prayed for me day and night until I came back to the Lord. 24:16 >> So, you came back to the Lord through your dad's prayers. How did the Bible play a part in 24:23 that? >> No, actually, the Bible play a prominent role there. 24:28 So, it's only a few days before I determined to end my life. >> Mm-hmm. 24:34 >> Thinking about ending my life, I got very scared. I started processing all my 24:40 thoughts once again. I start asking questions again, "Why? 24:44 What if?" I said, "What if what my dad believes is true? 24:50 What if Bible is truly word of God?" >> Mm-hmm. 24:53 >> Then I'm missing out whole, a lot of it. >> Mm-hmm. 24:57 >> So, I said, "Let's push it a little bit further. Let's postpone maybe one more 25:05 week. I mean, I can end my life any time I want. 25:10 But let's give it a last chance." I pulled out my Bible. 25:13 By the time -- has a lot of dust on the cover. I took it out. 25:18 I said -- this time I didn't even say, "God." I said, "You -- are you there, 25:24 really?" >> Mm. "If God, you're there, speak to 25:29 me." I said, "Maybe I'm gonna read the Bible one last time to see 25:37 if there's anything I missed. Maybe there is power." I just wanted rule out, make 25:43 sure that, you know, this is not falsely accused. So, I start reading the Bible 25:49 from that night on. I'm not sure how long it took, but it took me a while. 25:54 But I didn't stop. Every chance I have, besides schoolwork, every chance I have, 26:00 I start reading the Bible, chapter after chapter, book after book. 26:05 I started from Genesis all the way to Revelation. And by the time I finished the 26:10 Bible, I became a different man. >> Wow. >> Is there a Bible verse that 26:16 you would recommend that really gave you hope? >> The one that comes to me all 26:23 the time is Isaiah 41:10. >> Mm-hmm. >> And when I was going through, 26:28 this Bible verse broke me. 26:31 Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you." 26:35 This is what God's speaking to me. 26:37 "Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 26:40 I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. 26:45 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 26:49 He didn't say, "I may" or "I might." He says, "I will do it." 26:52 >> Mm. Mm. >> So, I was crying, basically 26:55 reading this verse. I realized He's always been there for me. 27:01 It was me turned away from Him. >> Hmm. >> And along the way, from 27:06 reading the Bible, the questions I had earlier on, I found the answers. 27:11 >> Pastor Philip, such a personal story. Thank you for sharing it and 27:17 being so vulnerable. Can I ask you to pray for us as we close? 27:21 >> I'd be honored. >> Mm-hmm. >> Father in Heaven, we want to 27:25 thank you for the power we'll be able to find in the word of God. I know the word of God changed 27:31 my life. I pray that you are willing to change anyone who comes to you 27:36 to change their lives, also. I want to thank you for a living God who hears and answers our 27:42 prayers. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. 27:45 >> Amen. >> Amen. Friends, today, if you have been 27:49 touched by Pastor Philip Lee's story, we have a free offer for you. 27:54 It is, "Where Is God When I'm Hurting?" And to receive that free offer, 27:59 here is the information you need. 28:02 >> To request today's offer, just log on to 28:05 www.ItIsWrittenCanada.ca. If you prefer, you may call 28:10 toll-free at 1-888-CALL-IIW. And thank you for your prayer 28:16 requests and your generous financial support. 28:20 >> Pastor Philip, thank you for encouraging my faith and the faith of our viewers that God is 28:25 real, and He is working. He is alive and well in our lives today. 28:30 Friends, I just want to thank you for joining us, as well, and remember the words of Jesus when 28:37 He said, "It is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that 28:43 proceeds out of the mouth of God." 28:46 ♪♪ ♪♪ |
Revised 2020-03-10