LOCAL CALL

Submitted by Darcy Salmon
Wasilla, AK
July 25, 2003

A man in Topeka, Kansas, decided to write a book about churches around the country. He flew to San Francisco, and started working east from there. 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 "$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 is willing to pay the price, he can talk directly to God. The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way.

As the man continued to visit churches in Seattle, Houston, Chicago, Miami, and around the United States, he found more phones with the same sign, and the same explanation from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in Alaska. Upon entering a church in Eagle River he saw the usual golden telephone, but THIS time the sign read, "Calls: 25 cents." Fascinated, 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 and that I could talk to God, but in the other churches the cost was $10,000 a minute. Your sign reads 25 cents a call.

Why?"

The pastor, smiling benignly, replied, "Son, you're in Alaska now, and it's a local call."