God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness Page #3

---

when all their hopes died

on that bloodstained cross.

Weeping may last

through the night,

but joy cometh

in the morning.

And the morning always comes.

[woman]

Yes, I'm going home

To

To live with Jesus

Since I've laid

My burden down

- You okay?

- Yeah.

I'm sorry.

- I never know what to say at these things.

- No, it's okay.

I'll come by, and we can discuss the details,

construction plans, repairs, all that.

Yeah.

Well... when you're ready.

Okay? Don't rush.

Just come on by my office.

- Thanks, Tom.

- Yeah. Hang in there.

- Appreciate it.

- Yeah.

Jude spoke of you

all the time.

His American brother.

I thank God he wasn't alone

in his last moments.

- I'm sorry.

- This is not your fault.

God, he uses all things

for his good.

You know this.

[speaking Swahili]

What does...?

I think that's what

Jude said to me.

Last thing he said to me.

What does that mean?

It's hard

to translate.

In English,

it means, basically,

"Always God is good,

and God is good always."

[sobbing]

[sobbing continues]

Hey.

Dave, what are you

doing here?

Well, it's Saturday,

isn't it?

I mean, people

still need to eat.

Sorry, it's a little bit

light this week,

but, uh, well, everything in

the pantry was ruined, so...

I know. I heard.

I'm so sorry.

And Jude.

Ah, I can't believe it.

Thanks.

I'll be okay.

You hungry? How about I

feed you for a change?

Thanks,

but, uh, rain check?

Okay. You know

where to find me.

[knocking]

- Hey.

- Dave.

Thanks for coming in.

Let's go get

a cup of coffee.

Sure.

Tom, this is insane.

You're gonna use this as an opportunity

to advance some political agenda?

It's not about that.

You don't just knock a church down

because of a little controversy.

Look, the insurance

will cover the damage.

It won't cost

the university anything.

It's not about the money either.

It's really not.

This makes no sense.

We were attacked.

I know.

But, Dave, we're worried about the

school, the welfare of the students.

There are a lot

of factors here.

Look, I know you're upset.

You have every right to be.

I don't like this either.

I hope you get that.

It's all in there.

This was my father's church.

I was baptized there.

I spent

my whole life there.

I know.

It's my home, Tom.

It's everything I have.

And it's not for sale.

I don't think

you're hearing me, Dave.

The board has decided.

It's a done deal.

I'm sorry.

This is absurd. They can just

take the church from us?

- I mean, don't we own this land?

- Yes.

- So, how is this legal?

- Eminent domain.

I studied property law

a bit in grad school.

As I understand it, the state

gave all public universities

complete autonomy

over eminent domain.

Which means Hadleigh can

legally force us to sell.

Where are we

supposed to go?

With what they're offering, how can we

build anything anyway? Can we go to court?

- [woman] Another lawsuit? Really?

- [siren wailing, faint]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but

we've burned through any legal reserves.

No land within 30 miles

of here.

We're out of money,

plain and simple.

- None that we can afford.

- I don't see that we have an option here.

You gonna be okay?

All these years,

this church has been here.

When I think about the work

that God has done...

and the lives

that he's changed...

Now it's just

a crime scene.

[sighs]

You know, Keaton stopped by

the other day.

Remember her?

First time I've seen her

in five months.

She's lost.

She needs someone to walk with

her right where she's at.

There are hundreds more

like her, here.

I know, Josh.

I got it, but...

This is why I took on Professor

Radisson, why I left law school...

for this ministry.

Because what we do and how we

do it, it's important, Dave.

Josh, we have no money,

no lawyers.

If I could do something,

I would.

It's just...

It's not that easy.

No, it's not easy.

But it's simple.

Look, I, uh...

[chuckles]

I hate to quote scripture

to a pastor, but, um...

you remember

Luke 12:
48?

Seems like you're the one much

is being asked of this time.

If you decide you want

to fight this...

pretty sure God'll

handle the details.

And I'll be right here

beside you.

[sighs]

[chattering]

[phone ringing]

You got an apartment?

Okay, Apartment "E"?

Thank you.

- [man] Okay, don't you worry about it.

- [woman] Thank you, Pearce.

I swear Mike's

a good kid.

He's just really struggling

right now, with his friends.

- He's just caught up...

- What are you doing here?

[horn honks]

Dad's church.

You'd hardly

even recognize it.

Hey, look, this is a property law case.

It's not really my thing.

Pearce, you're

a social justice attorney.

They're forcing us out because we're a

church. This is exactly your thing.

Let me get this straight.

You drive all the way up here.

You don't even call.

Were you afraid I'd say no?

I didn't know what you'd

say, to be honest.

Look,

I have a little money.

I don't want your money.

This is a legit offer.

Thing goes to trial, jury will probably

give you half that amount, less even.

Money aside, these things

always get messy.

God called me to fight,

and I'm gonna fight.

Ah. God calls you,

you call me.

- Did you see that?

- Right in third position.

Uh-huh. [laughs] Third position?

Mm-hmm.

Adam, what's up, baby?

Where you been?

Can I talk to you?

[sighs, sobs]

What do I do?

What do I do?

I don't know what to do.

I appreciate you coming down. I know

you're busy. It's a lot to ask.

Sure.

Wow. Look at this place.

It got smaller.

What'd you do

to the tree?

Huh?

What's wrong with it?

For one thing,

it's dead.

I figured you could take

your old room.

It's kind of a guest room

and some storage, but...

Wow.

Got the old man's chair.

Allowed to sit in it now?

[sighs]

Sorry to hear

about your friend.

Yeah. Thanks.

But I'm okay.

You know, that's... what

you said at Mom's funeral.

"I'm okay."

Somebody burns your church

down, kills your friend,

but you're okay.

What do you want me

to say, Pearce?

Yes, I'm having

a hard time.

Just doing my best

to get through.

You want something

to drink?

- You got booze?

- No.

Did you buy three boxes

of these for me?

Of course.

I knew you'd come.

Unfortunately, I don't

really eat Zingers anymore.

What do you mean you don't eat Zingers?

You love those things.

- What happened?

- Triple bypass.

Heart surgery?

- You had heart surgery?

- Six years ago.

I had no idea.

Why would you?

Well, we're all caught up.

And I'm gonna hit the hay.

Night.

Night.

[flames crackling]

Eminent domain precedent cases having to do

with churches specifically would be best.

I'll be back

as soon as I can.

Well, just take the meeting

without me, Todd.

No, I realize that, but it's a family

thing. What do you want me to say?

Just make sure everything has the same zip.

Okay? Okay, thanks.

- Make yourself at home.

- You doing all right?

I'll tell you what. You stop asking

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes