Southern Gospel (2023)

[bunniefuu]

I told you to get

those signs out of the back,

clean those tools out

of the truck, did I not?

Yes, sir.

Everybody already knows

I work two jobs, but,

my Lord, they

shouldn't have to look

at a rolling billboard

in the parking lot.

I'm sorry, Daddy. I forgot.

Sister Abernathie, she's,

uh, she's at her wit's end.

Your behavior has been off.

And you better do right

in that classroom today,

or I'll ground you for another

week, you understand me?

Yes, sir.

Look, I was a

preacher's kid, too.

But you got to do right, son,

'cause if you don't,

I'ma have to talk to my friend,

Gary, the Goose.

Oh, man, he's hungry.

- Daddy, no! Please, no!

- He's so hungry.

- No, please! No!

- He's hungry!

Daddy, who parked in your spot?

Go on in, son.

And things like cussing

will get you there.

The word of God says, "Let

your conversation be holy."

The word says, "Be ye holy

as I am holy."

What, Samuel?

I know you said cussing

will get you in,

but what if you, like,

just tried it once,

and you didn't really mean it?

What if Jesus came

back right then?

Come here.

Come right here.

Then, boy,

you'd bust wide open.

Ma'am.

What, Samuel?

Can I go to the bathroom?

Hurry back.

The Lord looks on the heart.

Now, the GCO guidebook

says no swimming,

no makeup, no worldly music,

no going to the picture show.

- That's right.

- Yes.

And there's probably

a million people

in this organization who

follow those rules to tee.

I do, Pastor.

I know you do,

Zachary. I know you do.

But what about those people

that are following those

rules on the outside,

but they're doing something

different on the inside?

Right, someone who wouldn't

dare touch a bottle of whiskey,

and yet they walk around

drunk on their own pride.

God looks on the heart.

Someone who wouldn't even think

about lighting up

a single cigarette,

but their heart is

burnt up with jealousy.

See, because God,

he knows how to spot a fake.

And if we don't tell him

every single day how we fail,

and we need his help,

then our own hearts

will go astray.

- Oh yes.

- Amen.

'Cause where religion

fails and where people fail,

God will never, and

I mean never fail.

Hallelujah.

Amen!

Are you ready to go

Have you talked to the Lord

Is there peace in your heart

Has your faith been restored

Glory to God

I'll not be ashamed

Jesus, my Jesus

He knows my name

Getting hot

Real hot

And I'ma burning, burning,

burning, burning up

Shh! Are you trying

to get us in trouble?

You know I can't listen

to that kinda music.

That's stupid!

It's just the way it is.

That white boy got soul.

You should go and

see "Jailhouse Rock"

with me and my

grandma this Saturday.

You just hear him sing one time.

See what all the fuss is about.

I've heard him sing.

Man, you ain't never heard

The King, preacher boy.

Barry, you get on my nerves.

Let's hear it.

It's getting hot

Real hot

And I'ma burning, burning,

burning, burning up

You sinner!

Hey, boys, go play

out in the back.

Come on.

Let's go hustle.

All right.

Just driving by?

Joe.

That's quite a little show

you put on there this morning.

It's our church state overseer.

He tells everybody what to do.

What do you need?

God's Church Organization

is growing by the hour.

Lord's returning any day.

We just need to make sure

that all of our pastors

are preaching what they

ought to be preaching.

I haven't gotten any complaints.

Mm.

I have.

Brother Wilburn let his

whole family go swimming.

Mixed bathing encourages lust.

Well, God's Church,

we show the way.

We can't just throw

a rule book at 'em

and tell 'em to change.

See,

you and I, um, we're different.

Like Cain and Abel.

You're a professional.

I'm just a boy that God

found out in a cotton field.

When I was 14,

your daddy asked me to

come and tell my story.

Yeah.

Small town nothing.

Maybe, but I got ambition.

Raise my son. Lead my people.

Your people?

They're my people.

My daddy ain't gonna live

forever. Remember that.

None of us do.

We'll see who's

smiling in the end.

Watch out for that bush!

You found it.

Someday I'll start my own church

and be a preacher like my daddy.

Good Lord, ain't you

gonna ask about the present

sitting right here on the table?

It's a present?

For me?

Ain't my birthday.

It's time.

Daddy, I've been thinking a lot.

I think I know why Momma d*ed

with my little

brother in her belly.

Hey.

Remember, we don't question

Lord in those matters.

You know that.

Daddy, I cussed a few times.

On purpose.

Samuel, stop.

It's my fault.

Samuel.

Samuel, look at me.

Now, what you said right

there, that's not true.

Your mother had

complications with the baby.

But Sister Abernathie

said I was going to

because I cussed.

Well, you know what?

I don't think Sister

Abernathie knows

what she's talking about.

Oh! I just said it too, huh?

I'm gonna have to give

her a little talking to.

Hey, you remember what we

used to say about God's love?

Think about the

deepest, highest,

strongest, and widest

thing there could ever be.

That's God's love for

you and me. Yes, sir.

I want you to head over to

that closet. Open it up.

Before your food gets cold.

I traded your mother's

mandolin for it.

It's yours, son.

I thought the GCO said

electric instruments

are of the devil?

Well, rock and roll don't

sound too good on an acoustic.

See? Your dad pays attention.

You got a gift, son.

It's in your blood.

God is never busy

He's always home

Dial up your prayer

on Heaven's telephone

If you need an answer

When you feel at home

Dial your prayers on

Heaven's telephone

Say you got a bad connection

No one understands

I suggest an installation

straight to Gloryland

Jesus will connect you

directly to his throne

Dial your prayers on

Heaven's telephone

Dial your prayers

on Heaven's

Telephone

Give the Lord a praise!

Hallelujah.

Glory be to God.

Glory, glory, glory.

- Yes!

- Amen!

Y'all can be seated, if you can.

Now, if you don't feel the

Holy Ghost's power right now,

then your wood

is wet.

Yeah! Hallelujah!

And we

are going to win the world!

And it makes me wanna dance!

You all know Brother Joe

Allen over at GCO Sayre.

He's a good man.

- Yeah.

- Yes, sir.

Now, his son is

here today, Samuel.

He's going to come up

and sing a song for us.

Give the Lord a

praise in welcome.

I wanna marry him someday.

But Julie,

I thought you said you were

gonna marry Jody Barnes?

Well, either him or Samuel.

I'm gonna sing a song called

"I Hold a Clear

Title to a Mansion."

My momma used to love it.

I've heard people

talk about Heaven

Describing its

beauty so rare

So I one day

purchased the title

To a mansion in

that land so fair

I hold a clear

title to a mansion

That Jesus has

gone to prepare

Fires cannot touch it

Floods cannot harm it

And it never will

need no repair

Never will need

Repair

Thank you.

All right, now let us remember,

we do not clap for the man.

We only clap for the Lord. Amen.

Amen.

All right, let's go

ahead and get the rest

of the youth leaders from

the State of Alabama up here.

All right.

Now let's stand

and clap for God!

Come on!

Go!

Hey, rock and roll.

You need to come to my

party this Saturday.

You're Dr. Blackburn's

daughter, are you?

Rock and roll.

Wow.

That was a, that's

a gospel song.

I'm Angie, and

it's called a joke.

It's a 4th of July

party. Just come.

Your song was groovy.

- Thank you.

- This Saturday at 12:00.

Barbecue and everything.

But no swimming trunks.

Swimming's of the devil.

It's nice to meet you.

Hi, Samuel

Julie.

Haven't seen you in a while.

My momma used to listen

to the record y'all made

with your daddy

when you were kids.

Oh.

Well, thank you.

She said that y'all

are getting married.

Ah. You must be

making things up.

Actually, I, I did say that.

That's cool, I just, I

didn't give you a ring yet.

Uh, I...

Sorry, I gotta, I gotta go.

We gotta go. Come on, Ray.

Um, whoa, hey, uh, Angie,

Angie Blackburn's having

a party this Saturday.

Well, I-I don't think

my daddy would let me go.

He doesn't really let us, um-

- What?

Have fun?

Please?

Look, it's at noon, and I just

wanna keep talking to you,

so I'll go if you're going.

He's waiting, but I'll try.

Oh, wait, um...

Here.

This used to be mine, but

I want you to have it.

You can hold onto it till

you give me that ring.

Excuse me.

Samuel.

What are you doing here?

Oh, Angie Blackburn

invited me to the party.

You realize there's no place

for music like

that in the church?

Uh, what-what do you mean?

Rock and roll.

It's an infection.

I've seen it.

First it's music and

concerts, then it's parties,

next it's sex,

then it's full-blown

devil worship.

Um...

Wow, um, no disrespect,

sir, I just, um,

I don't really see

the connection of the-

- Hello, young man.

Uh, h-hello, sir.

Some kinda singing

the other day.

Yes, I was just telling him

how people were

very disappointed.

Oh.

Why don't you get yourself

some food before it gets cold?

Hey.

Hey.

Where's your girlfriend?

No, she said she might come,

but I don't know,

I don't see her.

I hope she does.

You could tell I like her?

You're not the brightest

bulb in the box, are you?

I'm glad you came.

I wanna play you

a song.

There's something about the

way you sing that's just

different.

She smiles at me

What song is this?

Just listen.

When I close my eyes

A memory

So sweet and nice

My friend Barry plays

me music like this.

This guy can really sing.

Just listen.

Why does Alabama

Keep calling me

Don't you see?

This world is just listening

for people who mean it.

You sounded like you meant it.

Well, I did mean it.

I love the Lord.

How she got my

number is a mystery

Come here. I

wanna show you something.

Why does Alabama

Keep calling me

You don't know

how to swim, do you?

Look, the church

handbook says no swimming,

but I could probably

swim if I wanted to.

Do you always listen

to the church handbook?

Samuel, quit being

such a square.

It's not funny.

Oh, you're gonna

have to save me!

You're right. I can't swim.

Can you just come back now?

Oh, so now you can't swim?

Look, please just come back.

Ooh

Would you...

Oh God.

Can you just get back here?

Yeah, it's a funny joke.

I need to go.

Hey!

Angie?

Angie!

Help!

Angie!

Angie!

Angie!

Now, listen to me.

This will all be fine.

You!

You k*lled her!

You k*lled her!

He warned me about you.

You had no business with her,

and I mean no business with her!

Dr. Blackburn,

it ain't no use.

Like father, like son.

Hypocrite!

Ladies and gentlemen.

All right, all right.

Hey, how's it going?

Hey, how you doing?

Hey, preacher boy!

Hey, Barry, two minutes.

Hey, come on, man!

Phoronic Records is here!

I just saw a man with a badge

on that say "Rolling Stone"!

"Rolling Stone."

Sinner.

Time to go to church.

Oh, oh, oh yeah

I'm half awake as I

crash through the door

I haven't slept three days

Or maybe it was four

Now listen to me

There's a black Les Paul

in the corner of my den

Hmm, hmm, hmm

I go to church every

time I plug it in

'Cause don't you

know that I'm

The preacher man

of rock and roll

My mission is to

soothe your soul

Don't you know that I'm

The preacher man

of rock and roll

Say hallelujah if

you want some more

Want some more

Want some more, baby

Lay some of that on me.

Lay it on me, lay it on me.

Ah, there you go.

Oh! Sorry, brother.

- Whoo!

- Hey.

I'm sorry about that.

Ah, it's all right.

It's all right. It's

fine, it's fine.

We're going to

the top. I'll tell you that.

All the way, man.

We're going to the top.

All the way.

All the way.

Keep it so cool

I keep coming back

I'm passionate

20 in a pack

I'll probably bum two

I'm burning my cash

To have a hit on you, yeah

Nicotine

Kerosene

Gasoline

I'm thinking while

they're k*lling me

Barry.

Barry.

Barry!

Barry.

James.

This is dispatch.

We got a car expl*si*n on

State Route 78. Send all units.

Alcohol and narcotics

are involved,

and there is a

confirmed fatality.

Wake up, little lady.

Get up.

Oh.

Where are my friends?

"Where are my friends?

Where are my friends?"

Shut your mouth.

Well, your little

long-haired friend, he d*ed.

Yeah.

Got himself on fire

smoking some reefer.

A way to go.

And the other one, well, he's

in hospital, burnt up too.

Hey, good news is, doc says

you're gonna be just fine.

How about that?

Plus, you looked like

you needed a haircut,

so we went and took care

of that for you.

See, we got enough dr*gs out

of that van to put you away

for a while.

The City of Weems

don't really like people

like you around here.

Can I make a

call? I need to call my dad.

You wanna call your daddy?

Well, I'll tell you, son.

Your daddy's not gonna

help you tonight.

Freedom for judgment

and beauty for a wretch

Oh, what a precious exchange

Devoted to Jesus

For he never matches

The sings I've

confessed to my name

He set me free

He set me free

You set me free

The Lord set me free

The glorious gift

Was given to me

Was given to me

I traded my life

I traded my life

Of iniquity

He gave unto me

Sweet liberty

He set me free

The Lord set me free

Lord, please forgive me.

In the case of the State of

Alabama versus Samuel Allen,

the deadly crash on

State Route 78 in Weems

has been determined to be the

fault of James Lowry Bell.

Now, as to the charges

of possession of dr*gs,

I declare

that due to the

mishandling of evidence

and the degradation of

evidence caused by the fire,

these charges will be dismissed.

Thank you, sir.

These charges have been

dropped under one condition,

community service.

Public speaking in schools

on the dangers of dr*gs

with the Alabama State Anti-Drug

Program, you understand?

I can't hear you.

Yes, sir.

Don't let me catch you

in my courtroom again.

I just don't understand

why the judge let me go.

I don't think you

need worry about that.

Hey, why was T.L.

Whittmore in the courtroom?

Well, guess he's got as much

right as anyone to be there.

He has a right to go to.

My God, Samuel.

We can't hold hatred

in our hearts.

Sorry, Dad.

I'm thinking

about stepping down.

The church.

Because of me?

I just...

I wanna help you become the

man you were meant to be.

The paper hanging

business, it's good.

It's right.

Church is your life.

Never surrender the dream.

You hear me?

I hear you.

Stop the car.

What?

Dad, pull over.

All right.

You ever felt like you

know the man you wanna be,

but you're just

not strong enough?

Every day?

Truth is, you're my only example

of someone that means it.

And the world is listening

for people that mean it.

Baptize me.

Here?

Ah, I can't wait.

I'll baptize you.

Preacher boy.

Hey, man.

Ah, man.

I missed you.

I missed you too, brother.

It's been six months.

It still hurts.

I can barely play, but

the ladies love it.

But I just say

I was saving puppy dogs

from a burning building.

The shrink say I'm depressed.

Like some kinda,

some kinda darkness.

Brother, I'm sorry.

You're my best friend.

All right, I'm gonna,

I'll make sure that you stay

strong, 'cause I need you.

I got baptized.

I'm trying to,

just trying to start

over, you know.

I'm speaking at

Gate City GCO tonight.

First time in church since...

Hmm.

Please, please come with me.

Nah, man.

I don't think they

allow my good friend

Jack Daniels in church.

Who cares what they think?

The Lord loves you

just like you are.

Preacher boy

becomes preacher man.

You trying to convert me?

And when Angie d*ed, you

introduced me to the band.

I didn't know who I was, but

you made me a part

of your world,

so I'm gonna make

you part of my world.

I'll come for the church girls.

Hey, you know, long

skirts, no makeup,

like really hot early

American settlers.

All right. Ready?

Let's get it, brother.

All aboard the train

Chugging on to Gloryland

All

Aboard the train

Chugging on to Gloryland

If you're a sinner

Brother Samuel.

Pastor Claybourn.

I believe we met at the school.

Well, thank you

for coming tonight.

I didn't think you

were going to make it.

You're late, son.

Straight from

here to Gloryland

I'm sorry.

Look at the size of this

crowd. Can you believe this?

I mean, it's like they're

handing out free MoonPies.

It's sure something.

I want two of 'em.

Oh, she's an angel.

You don't need money

You don't need no fame

You just need the Holy Ghost

And the power of Jesus' name

You need a ticket

Straight from

here to Gloryland

If you're a sinner

As a matter of

fact, T.L. Whittmore's office

called me today.

He's our state over overseer.

Uh, yeah, I know who he is.

Well, you may know who he is,

but you don't know what he said.

He told me to watch out for you.

You need to watch your

content in this place.

There's a lotta sinful-looking

people in this place.

Uh, isn't, isn't that the point?

It's the point, but we don't

want 'em staying that way.

Don't worry. I'll be careful.

Okay, you be careful.

Look at the size of this crowd.

There ain't been this

many people in this room

since Easter '62.

I'm telling you, man, this

place is full. It's wonderful.

Chugging on to Gloryland

Yes, she is.

If you're a prisoner

Or a preacher man

My dad always told me that

nothing can distance

you from God's love.

Mm.

And boy, I tried.

Can I just speak from the heart?

You know, basically,

he says that

nothing can separate you

from the love of God.

- Yeah.

- Praise the Lord.

No sin.

No failure.

Nothing.

Nothing can separate

you from that love.

And he, um,

well, he just moved us from

place to place about every year.

Well, I woulda been to

like 13 different schools

before I graduated two

years ago, and it's...

It must've been hard for you.

Yeah.

I mean, the hardest

part was just,

uh, never knowing which Daddy

was gonna walk through

the door at night,

the one that would, um,

show up drunk and b*at us,

or the one he was

always saying how sorry he was?

I'll never imagine

going through all that.

Y'all seemed so happy.

Well, Ray and I

were always happy.

We, um,

nah, no, we had

this, uh, this place.

We call it the Angels Trail.

Yeah, and, um,

we would go there to

pray when it got bad.

And church was all we had, so.

And I,

I've, I've never told

anyone else all this before.

You're beautiful.

Inside and out.

Oh.

Thank you.

Uh...

I've never met someone like you.

You drank two milkshakes.

Ah! You kept count?

I was just, I was nervous you

were gonna try and get mine.

So how am I gonna pay

for all these milkshakes?

Well, I think if

you pay for them,

then that would

make this a date.

Is that a promise?

I think so.

Ah, excuse me.

Can I get the,

the check?

I'll keep that sticker

on my guitar 'cause

it reminded me of

the life I knew

I was supposed to be living.

I thought about you,

and I was certain

I lost the chance

to love someone

as special as you.

Julie, I wanna build

a life with you.

And we,

we could build a

different kinda church,

from scratch, our own.

Not about a bunch of

manmade rules.

One that reaches people

as lost as I was,

built on grace.

That's a beautiful dream.

But, um,

I mean, did I, did I miss a

question in there somewhere?

Yeah, maybe.

The last few years I,

I haven't been a good man, but

you make me wanna be.

And maybe when we

build that church,

you'd like to be by my side.

As my wife.

Well, my daddy, he...

What about him?

Sam, he won't let me

just start a life with you.

I mean,

God, he'd k*ll me.

He said that I can't just leave.

He ain't gonna k*ll anybody.

Julie, look at me.

Your best days are

in front of you.

And that man will

never touch you again.

He's violent, Samuel, and

you're, you're so sweet,

but you just, you

don't know him.

I know myself.

He'd have to k*ll me.

You're serious?

Do I look like I'm not?

Well, the answer is yes.

I guess I owe you a ring, then.

You know, I always knew

we'd get married someday.

I thought you were

gonna marry Jody Barnes.

Well, yes. Him or you.

Give the Lord a praise.

It's good to be here

in God's Church Sayre.

Amen.

Brother Joe

has preached many fine

messages from this pulpit.

And I am sad that he

has chosen to retire.

But, uh, I do believe that

Brother Malachi from Louisiana

has done a fine job

as a interim

pastor,

and I'm sure that he

will do a fine job

as a permanent pastor.

- All Right.

- Amen.

But not ever pastor is

like Brother Joe Allen.

He has remained faithful.

Now, I understand

that he doesn't

want to come up here today.

I understand that.

But his son Samuel is here.

And boy, have I been

hearing some things

about this young man

and the call

that's on his life.

Samuel,

would you come up here and share

a little bit with us today?

All right, preacher man.

If I can't hear my favorite

pastor, I wanna hear his son.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Thanks.

A little over a year ago, um,

I was in a motel room in

Charlotte after a show.

I was

high on cocaine.

I was

with a woman I had just met.

$1,000 on the dresser.

Just cut my first record.

But I was

dying inside.

No, no, no, I know we don't,

we don't talk about this

kinda stuff in church.

But I don't know why.

I knew my life was broken. I

just didn't know how to fix it.

So I tried everything.

The prodigal son.

Now, prodigal doesn't

mean wild and crazy.

It means wasteful.

That's

right. That's right.

But that was me, I was,

I was on this far-off land

just wasting every good

thing that God gave me.

I just need to remember that I

got a real dad that loves me.

- Yes.

- Amen.

But I'm,

I'm blessed because

I have a Heavenly Father

that loves me even more.

Amen.

That, that is still

hard for me to comprehend.

Preach it. Preach it.

Don't waste the love

that God has given you.

Since he forgave me,

I'm positive that

he can forgive you.

Just surrender to his love.

All to Jesus

I surrender

All to him

I freely give

I will ever

Love and trust him

In his presence

Daily live

I surrender

All

I surrender

All

All to thee

My blessed

Savior

I surrender

All

Lord, I surrender

Lord, I surrender

Surrender all

Have a seat.

Daddy, these seats for children.

Sit down, son.

Now, I understand that what

happened up there today

is not what we expected.

And Brother Malachi,

I wanna thank you

for your willingness to

relocate from Shreveport.

But I have made a decision.

Samuel will be the new

pastor of this church.

Dad, come on.

Now, I know he's a little young.

1 Timothy says an elder

should not be a recent convert.

And it says in the next chapter,

"Let no man despise thy youth."

Brother Malachi has a church.

Now, I know he's your friend,

but he'll be fine.

Daddy, the boy's

got the devil in him.

Always has, always will.

That young man has got

something on his life.

Now, what happened

up there, sh**t,

I almost went up there

and got saved myself.

It's a little edgy.

We might need a little edgy

where we are in this

world right now.

How do you feel

about this, Samuel?

If you believe

in me, I'll do it.

This is the GCO Handbook.

Memorize it. Learn the rules.

Without rules, there's no order,

and without order,

there is chaos.

Stick to the rules.

Yes, sir.

Well, I don't think

anybody has left yet.

Everybody's still upstairs,

so let's go up and, um,

appoint the new pastor.

Tied my shoes on

a Sawgrass floor

Put on my coat as

I closed the door

Hopped in the back

of our Model T Ford

Left for church

every Sunday at four

And I

Believed

In thee

And I believe in every

promise that you make me

And I believe that every

word you say is true

And I believe in where this

winding road will take me

At the end of it all

I just believe in you

And I

Believe

In thee

And I

Believe

In thee

I was tired

I was cold

I was b*rned, I was alone

Falling from the sky

Hanging by a thread

Sinking in the deep

Standing on a ledge

You

You still love me

I'm thankful that you

You still love me

I was flying

high, glory bound

I see the lights,

hear the sound

Heavenly host from above

A lost cause,

but now I'm found

A broken man wears the crown

All because

Well

Barry, I didn't know

you played like that.

That was, that was

beautiful, man.

I didn't know I had an audience.

You know, thank you

for believing in me.

You don't have to

thank me. I always have.

That's what brothers do.

They believe in each other.

I'm just, um...

I'm glad you're starting

to believe in yourself.

I'm still working on that.

Baby, I haven't

seen you in a year.

Charlene.

I can't.

What do you mean?

I, uh...

I- I shouldn't have

called you over here.

This is the old me.

I'm just, uh,

I'm just lonely.

Here.

No, keep it.

Well.

Don't change too much.

You're one of the

sweetest people I know.

Next one's on me, Barry.

God. Get outta here.

I'm

trying. I'm trying.

Hey!

Why are you following

me and taking pictures?

What you trying to do, huh?

I got you now.

Pictures of that

going up to your room, huh?

Oh, and now the liquor.

Now a Black burnout assaulting

an upstanding citizen.

Samuel's going down.

You too, Barry.

Get your stuff and get

outta here, you redneck.

Get outta here!

Hello?

It's me, brother.

Barry.

Barry, what is it?

Oh, you know. Same old story.

Um, hey, hold on.

Where are you? Where are you at?

That's a deep question.

At the bottom of a well.

I can see the light, but

I just can't reach it.

It's too far away

T.L. Whittmore had

a goon following me,

taking pictures of me,

drinking, and with a prost*tute.

But I ain't go through with it.

I'm different now.

But, uh,

I messed it up for you.

They said they're

gonna take your church.

That doesn't matter

right now, Barry.

When I get sad, I drink.

I can't fix it, brother.

I love you, brother.

I love you too,

Barry. God loves you.

Um...

Look, um, we're just

gonna get through this.

I need you to tell me

where you are, Barry.

You have to tell me, please.

I'm sorry. I let you down.

You didn't let me down, Barry.

Barry.

Barry?

Barry?

Mr. Whittmore.

I thought that might be

you when I saw that car.

Is that right?

Hey, you and those Cadillacs.

Is there some place we can talk?

We got a problem.

I've been watching you

over the years since your

so-called conversion.

So-called?

Hmm.

There ain't a thing sacred about

the way you do church, son.

Worldly music.

Weirdos.

It seems like you think,

just 'cause you run

three services a Sunday,

that somehow you're justified.

Everyone deserves

a second chance.

Shame Barry didn't get one.

Drunk usher one day,

kills himself the next.

You don't get to bring him up.

You don't know

anything about Barry.

I know you refuse to

preach sanctification.

Hmm?

Your daddy was a grace

man. Look at him now.

You want me to preach

that people lose the ability

to make a mistake after

they come to the Lord?

It's mighty close

to the line, son.

Matter of fact,

it's over the lie.

Oh, you made up the line.

You're gonna try and tell me

that, in 30 years of ministry,

you've never made one mistake?

Not a one!

Holiness.

Look it up.

That's the problem.

I have.

A sinner like you

wouldn't understand.

"I was shown mercy so that

in me, the worst of sinners,

Christ Jesus might display

his immense patience."

"And these shall go away

into everlasting punishment,

but the righteous

into life eternal."

"He has not punished us as

we deserve for all our sins,

for his mercy toward those

who fear and honor him

is as great as the height of

the heavens above the earth."

"They that have done evil

will come upon the

resurrection of damnation,

for the wages of sin is death."

It's sad.

You've clearly memorized it, but

you, you don't understand it.

You wanna hit me, boy?

Prove what I already

know about you.

You're out!

I believe the Pope calls

it excommunicated. Hmm.

No one from the GCO will

ever speak to you again.

Brother Malachi will

move into the parsonage

and take over this

Saturday, all right?

You're finished.

Barry's death is on you.

I wasn't his pastor.

You were.

Daddy will just

be a minute, okay?

He's saying goodbye to Poppa.

- Mm-hmm.

- Okay.

Hey, don't let

'em make you bitter.

Yeah.

You can only love

the Lord as much

as the person you love least.

Dad, they took our legacy.

Your legacy?

Your legacy's right here.

It's right out

there in that car.

It's anywhere God leads you,

as long as you keep

your heart right.

We're, uh,

we're gonna go to Florida.

We like it down there.

Disney World and everything.

Yeah. That'll be good.

So we'll just start over.

Here's $5,000.

- Dad.

- Nope. Take it.

Dad.

It's just been waiting

on a rainy day.

It's yours.

Dad.

Thank you.

Come with us.

Oh, I can't come with you.

I belong here.

Your mom and I built this place.

It's your time.

I love you.

I love you too.

It's a sort of magic from

the way that you love me

It's a sort of magic, hold

you steady down, steady down

It's a sort of magic from

the way that you love me

It's a sort of magic, hold

you steady down, steady down

Steady down, steady down

Steady down, steady down

Ah.

Ladies and gentlemen, we're

gonna take a 15-minute break,

and we'll be right back to play

some more of your requests.

One water and one cabernet.

Thanks.

Can I get you anything else?

No, thank you.

All right.

So what was that about?

Dom Rivera there

just offered us a job.

What?

Who's Dom Rivera?

Oh, he's a businessman.

He wants to become the main

act at his new nightclub,

but, ah, he wants a

one-year contract.

Oh, that's good news, right?

You want me to take the job?

I mean, I-I-I-I-I

thought this was temporary.

W- we have to start the church

to prove to all the T.L.

Whittmores of the world

that our way works, too.

I'm sorry, Okay? I

just need a minute.

Hey!

Julie.

Julie!

Hey, you are causing a scene.

Julie.

Julie, what's going on with you?

I saw my daddy at the

grocery store today.

Oh, baby, you know

that's not possible.

He was just standing there,

staring at me

like a ghost.

Baby, there's no

such thing as ghosts.

Look, I'm fighting

for our dream.

I still want our own church.

You...

I don't know if I do.

Look, you might've

had too much wine.

Don't do that.

Our life was stolen from us.

Oh, but th-th-th-this is easy.

We're playing music, we get

paid, we sing, we go home.

Repeat, do it again,

no one judging.

Well, maybe it is,

but you knew who I was

when you married me.

I know, I did, I did. I

just didn't know who I was.

Samuel, I...

I was only five years old

the first time that my

daddy crawled into my bed.

And I...

So don't tell me

that there's no such

thing as ghosts.

Julie?

Julie?

Can you please shut the door?

Baby, I'm worried about you.

You've been in here a week,

and you haven't eaten.

I d-I don't know what to do.

I need some time.

I just

can't get everything

out of my head.

Look, if you don't

talk to me, then-

- Samuel, I need you

to just leave me alone.

Well, can you at least

just tell me what I can do?

Can you rewrite history?

Can you undo what

my daddy did to me?

Or can you give us

our old life back?

No.

I can love you.

I can pray for you.

Then just do that.

Hello?

Could I speak

with Samuel, please?

Yeah, this is him.

This is Dr.

Emmett from the hospital.

I served in the w*r

with your father.

Son, your daddy

had a heart att*ck.

I'm sorry to tell you,

he didn't make it.

- Uh-

- I'm sorry, son.

He was a good man.

"Often I dream of your kindness.

Daily I dream of your touch.

Oceans won't quell my desire.

My darling, I miss you so much."

Dad, you were a poet?

Today my boy got in trouble.

I got a call this morning,

not from the police

department in Weems,

where he was arrested,

but from T.L. Whittmore.

He told me my son was

in a bit of trouble,

and he wanted me to meet him

in a coffee shop in Weems.

I wanted to help my son.

He wanted to cut a deal.

Read September 29th,

1969. You're right.

I can't rewrite history,

but I can change the future.

Wait. Samuel, please,

where are you going?

Sammy!

Sam!

I'm coming.

Lord Almighty, who...

Samuel.

September 29th,

You made a deal with my dad.

Now you tell me what happened.

I just wanna hear you say it.

Say it!

I told your daddy

that if he walked

away from the GCO,

I'd have your charges dropped.

Judge in Weems is

my brother-in-law.

Whats wrong with you?

You took the one

thing from my father

that he loved more than

anything in the world.

No.

You got that wrong.

Is that right?

Yeah.

He loved you more.

Oh, uh...

Poppa, who is this?

Um, hey, I'm just here to

talk to your grandpa for a,

for a minute.

Yeah, run on.

Go on back inside.

He's my grandson.

After Babsie d*ed, I

hadn't been doing so well.

My daughter's been

helping take care of me.

I got a few months, I guess.

I'm gonna pay for

my debts, Samuel.

I will.

I already am.

I don't even...

I don't, I don't

deserve forgiveness.

I know that.

You never even asked for it.

Look, no one

deserves forgiveness.

It's just something we

receive, like a gift.

T.L., I've been there.

No.

No, I'm afraid not, son.

You haven't been here.

Look, God forgave

me at my lowest.

My bitterness toward

you is no better

than the things you did to me.

I forgive you.

I don't know what to say.

Well, that's a first.

Yeah, yeah, I reckon it is.

Julie?

When I met you,

you shone like a thousand stars.

But

I never knew how much

you've been hurt.

I'm not gonna like you get

sucked under that current.

I'm holding onto you.

If you go,

I go.

I don't have a dream

without you in it.

So I,

I did take the, the job

at the club, and, um,

I also took a, took a side

job working on the railroad

with Reyna's brother

to pay off our debt.

Just know I'm here for you.

And I should've what

you were going through.

I'm sorry.

I'm still praying for you.

I love you.

All right, guys.

We're gonna take a long break.

45 minutes.

"For all the land

which thou seest,

to thee will I give it,

and to thy seed forever."

Everything I see, huh?

Hey, boss!

Allen, can't you

see I'm resting?

Yeah, sorry, uh...

Hey, what if I told

you that the Lord said

he was gonna gimme

everything I see right now?

Well, I say, as long as

you ain't looking at me,

you can have it.

Where are we?

St. Cloud.

St. Cloud.

Yeah.

And you can have it.

Sinking in the deep

Standing on a ledge

But you

You still love me

It's beautiful.

Uh, you scared me.

Sorry.

It's okay. I

shoulda come to bed.

No, it's okay. You

worked really hard.

Yeah, it's, it's

harder than I thought.

You know, my daddy,

my daddy said that no

one would ever love me

once they found out

what he'd done to me.

And I wanted to tell you, but

I loved you and I got scared.

But you protected me.

You believed in me.

I, uh...

I read your daddy's journals.

He called your destiny

his Promised Land.

Okay, he knew what he was

doing when he walked away.

I got lost

somewhere along the way.

But you kept loving me.

And you said you prayed for me.

And this morning

I woke up and I,

I felt hope.

And I prayed for us.

Samuel Allen,

It is time for me

to believe in you.

I don't wanna do it without you.

You won't have to.

Hey, Julie, did you get my

guitar picks off the table?

Yeah, I got 'em.

All right, sorry, I'm just, um,

I'm a little nervous.

Dad, are, are we moving?

Uh, well, son, we only

got invited to minister.

If we move, can I

get a bigger room?

Hey, I want a bigger room too!

Kids, I don't know

that we're moving.

Aw!

What exactly did the man say?

He's part of the advisory board.

Their pastor left, and

they asked us to fill in

till decisions are

made on a new pastor.

A pastor like you.

We're the Allen family, and, uh,

we're gonna sing a song for you.

My, my friend wrote this song.

Uh, th-this wasn't planned,

but I'm gonna sing it.

I was tired

I was cold

I was b*rned

I was alone

Falling from the skies

Hanging by a thread

Sinking in the deep

Standing on a ledge

But you

You still love me

I'm thankful that you

You still love me

Now I'm flying high,

I'm glory bound

I see the light,

I hear the sound

The heavenly host from above

A lost cause now is found

A broken man wears the crown

All because of your love

You still love me

Never gave up on me

That's why I'm

so thankful, Lord

You still loved me

Wow!

I have never heard music that

good in church before, ever.

Our guests today have

come highly recommended.

Obviously they are

incredible musicians,

but they can preach, too.

Please welcome

Pastor Samuel Allen.

Thank you so much. Thank you.

Well, thank you.

Thank you.

You have

no idea what an honor it is

for us to be here

with you today.

My wife,

Julie,

my kids, Jesse, Mia,

We appreciate you having us.

I just, I wanna

tell you something.

You may have been

pushed around, b*at up,

run over,

cheated on.

Amen.

Maybe you've done those

things to someone else.

I'm just here to say that

there is always hope.

And I'm not, I'm not

sure what your story is,

but today I am here

to say that you never

give up on the dream

that God has given you.

Trust in him.

Could y'all look at your,

look at your neighbor?

Yeah, look at your

neighbor, and just say,

"It's time to dream again."

God bless you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

God bless.

- Thank you.

- Thanks for coming.

Yeah, thank

you so much. God bless.

- Thank you. Thank you again.

- I'm so proud of you.

Thank you. Thanks.

Thank you.

God bless you.

Well, Pastor Samuel, it has

been very nice to meet you.

I'm sold. You have

an incredible family.

Everyone here

obviously loves you.

You are gonna build

a great church here.

W-w-what do, what do you mean?

When the pastor

of this church left,

it was legally turned over

to our advisory board,

and someone of great influence,

who wished to remain unnamed,

paid the mortgage

off on this place

with the stipulation that you

must become our new pastor.

That's how we found you.

Somebody thinks

very highly of you,

so I'm gonna be here at 9:00 AM

to turn over all the paperwork.

If you want it,

this place is yours.

I can't believe it.

Um, I mean yes. Yes, of course.

I mean, of course we want it,

more than anything in the world.

You just preached a

wonderful sermon on dreams.

I don't think you should

be surprised by this,

Pastor Samuel.

Welcome.

Never surrender the dream.

Never.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's amazing!

Kids! Come here!

Win the world, son.

Win the world.

Hey, baby.

The kids are in the

car. Are you ready?

Yeah, baby, I'm ready.

I just need to lock up.

Give me two minutes.

All right.

Gary the goose,

oh man, he's hungry.

- Daddy, no! Please, no!

- He's hungry! He's hungry!

Think about the

deepest, highest,

strongest, and widest

thing there could ever be.

That's God's love

for you. Yes, sir.

Preacher boy.

Hey, man.

Aw, man.

Oh, ha

Oh, ha, ha, ha

Well, I was born in Alabam

Just outside of Birmingham

Biggest dream I ever had

Become a preacher

like my dad

I testify

I testify

Well, Momma's ways ways

were tough as nails

We learned the rules

and we learned them well

She live her life

for one reward

To see her children

serve the Lord

I testify

I testify

Well, I testify

about any scar

I'll tell you what it cost

I testify about

what I've seen

And what I nearly lost

I testify of

the grace of God

Loved kept me alive

The one thing that I do

every day, every night

I testify

Testimony

Say it'll set you free

Testimony

It might bring to your knees

Testimony

The truth don't never lie

There's one thing that

I'll do until I die

I'll testify

My daddy showed

me something true

The life you live

will speak for you

Well done is better

than well said

'Cause without works

my faith is dead

Hey

Whoa, ha, ha, ha, testify

Whoa, ha, ha, ha, testify

I'll testify

Whoa, ha, ha, ha, testify

Whoa, ha, ha, ha, testify

I'll testify

I'll testify

Whoa, whoa, yeah

One thing I'll do till I die

I'll testify

I'll testify

Some glad morning

when this life is over

I'll fly away

To a home on God's

celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away

When I die,

hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away

When I die,

hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away