A man from New York decided to write a book about churches around the country.
He started by flying to San Francisco and continued working east. Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and making notes. He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign which read: ‘ Calls to God: $1000.00 a minute.’
Seeking out the pastor, he asked about the phone and the sign. The pastor answered that this golden phone is in fact, a direct line to heaven and if he pays the price he can talk to God.
The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way.
As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Denver, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, and on around the United States he found more phones, with the same sign and the same answer from each pastor.
Finally, he arrived in Florida and upon entering a church there, he saw the usual golden telephone. But here the sign read, ‘ Calls to God: 35 cents.’
Curious, he asked to talk to the pastor. “Reverend, I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found this golden telephone and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven to talk to God. But in the other churches the cost was $1000.00 a minute. Your sign reads only ‘ 35 cents a call.’ Why is your rate so low?”
The pastor, smiling benignly replied, “Son, you’re in the south now. You’re in God’s country, it’s a local call.”
American by birth.
Southern by the Grace of God !
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