A man in Topeka Kansas decided to write a book about churches around the country. He started by flying to San Diego and working north and east around the country from there. His plan was to go to both large and small churches, take photographs and make notes.
He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall of the very first church and was intrigued with a sign which read "Calls: $10,000 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 directly to GOD.
The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way. He visited churches in Seattle, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, down the east coast around the United States, and finally back to Dallas, he found more golden phones, with the same sign, and the same answer from each pastor.
On his way home to Topeka, he passed through Oklahoma. Upon entering the first church in OK, behold - he saw the usual golden telephone, but THIS time, the sign read "Calls: 35 cents."
Fascinated, he asked the Pastor. "I have been in cities all across the country and in each church I have found golden telephones like this and have been told it is a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD. But in the other churches the cost was $10,000 per minute. Your sign reads only 35 cents a call. Why?"
The Pastor smiled and replied, "Son, you're in Oklahoma now. This is God's country and it's a local call."
American by Birth - Oklahoman by the Grace of God!