God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness

GOD'S NOT DEAD: A LIGHT IN DARKNESS is a drama film about a church located on a public university campus. Because of controversy, the university wants to tear down the church and make it a student community center, but the pastor, Reverend Dave (David A. R. White), insists he inherited the church from his father, it has been in its location for 100 years, and was in its place before the university existed. When the church is vandalized and a fire starts, killing Reverend Jude (Benjamin Onyango), the university demands the church be removed.

As a result, Reverend Dave seeks assistance from his brother, Pearce (John Corbett), who is an attorney. Pearce represents the church in the lawsuit, and spends time with his brother, staying in the home they lived in with their parents. The scenes that work very well in the movie are the ones with the two brothers, Dave and Pearce. Both actors give genuine performances.

Other conflicts include the university chancellor, Thomas (Ted McGinley). He and Dave are good friends, so the legal situation between the university and the church is tough on their relationship. Also, university student Keaton (Samantha Boscarino) struggles with her faith in God and breaks up with her boyfriend, Adam (Mike C. Manning), because he is unsure about God. Adam does not handle the break up well, and takes his frustration out on the church by vandalizing it and unknowingly starting a fire.

The Newsboys make an appearance in the movie. In addition, if you sit through the end credits you will hear Michael Tait's message. Lastly, Jennifer Taylor plays Meg, Dave's lady friend. The relationship provides Dave with an opportunity to share what is happening to him with someone who is not involved in the legal matters.

GOD'S NOT DEAD: A LIGHT IN DARKNESS is currently playing in theatres. The official Web site is https://godsnotdead.pureflix.com/.

The Note

The Note
There are some movies that one can watch several times and never grow tired of seeing. THE NOTE is one of those movies. The Hallmark Channel airs it often, and it is apparently the network’s highest rated movie to date. There is a very good reason for this.

THE NOTE stars Genie Francis (“Peyton Macgruder”) and Ted McGinley (“King”) as journalists, co-workers and friends. Viewers see they have romantic feelings for each other, but it takes them some time to admit it, as “Peyton” is a widow and “King” is a divorced man. Both have complex pasts that make it clear why caution is prevalent. Another distraction: “Peyton” discovers a note at the scene of a plane crash that provides a new direction for her column, which is needed because her editor is prepared to discontinue it.

“Peyton” believes the note was written by one of the plane’s passengers, so she seeks the intended receiver of the note. She uses her column to inform the public of this, receives responses, and follows up on them. Just when viewers of THE NOTE think “Peyton” will be able to bring light into someone’s life by giving him or her the note, details of her past are revealed, requiring her to face situations she has tried to forget.

It is interesting that when we choose to face situations head on, we are better able to comprehend and eventually overcome them. Ignoring these “problems” just leaves space for the unwanted memories to pop up again. It is important to resolve issues and move forward. This is what “Peyton” does, and her life then takes a positive turn, as does her column. Furthermore, her relationship with “King” blossoms, and she is accepted by someone she thought would dislike her.

The Note II: Taking a Chance on Love
This sequel can be watched over again and again as well. The touching story of “Peyton Macgruder” continues as viewers see her and “King” are advancing in their relationship and dealing with new conflicts involving their adult children (his son and her daughter). At the same time, “Peyton” also deals with a negative letter from one of her readers, “Eve Miller,” played by an outstanding actress named Kate Trotter.

In this story “Peyton” is slow in responding to “King” after he proposes marriage, and “Eve” challenges her. “Eve” somewhat positions herself as an expert on love so “Peyton” takes an interest in her. Through their discussions and a journalist’s curiosity, “Peyton” discovers fascinating information about “Eve.”

Without giving away too many details of this beautiful story, “Peyton” learns from “Eve” what can happen if one is not completely honest with herself. It is better to take a chance than to realize many years of joy have been squandered because of stubbornness.