Stories by Lowell Grisham
RSSCongrats, Legislators: You Did The Right Thing
BUT THERE WAS A SIMPLER, CHEAPER OPTION
The Arkansas Legislature did the right and good thing. They passed a federally funded extension of health care insurance for hard-working Arkansans in low-paying jobs. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Fading Ideas Growl As They Die
IT’S TIME TO RECOGNIZE LOVE MORE BROADLY
When an idea has lost its power, it is like a fatally injured bear caught in a trap: It roars loudly and makes its fi ercest, most absolute claims, even as it is dying. Continue reading...
What To Do When The Dark Angels Visit
HOLDING ON FOR GIFTS THAT COME THE HARD WAY IS A DIFFICULT, YET REWARDING CHALLENGE
My friend John tells of a dry, arid time in his life. He felt like the verse from Psalm 63: “My soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.” He felt lifeless and bereft. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Religious Call: Medicaid Expansion Good For All
Jesus of Nazareth was known as a healer. Continue reading...
Psychology, Bible, Evolution Agree On Generosity, Cooperation
In my Dec. 16 column, I wrote about some troubling research with children documenting a human tendency toward bias. Infants who choose Cheerios over graham crackers will actually reward a puppet who punishes another puppet who chose graham crackers over Cheerios. According to researchers, “We are predisposed to break the world up into different human groups based on the most subtle and seemingly irrelevant cues, and that, to some extent, is the dark side of morality.” Bias against the “other” seems to part of our human inheritance. Continue reading...
Baby Research Reveals Virtues, Flaws
CAN WE LOVE ‘THE OTHER’ ENOUGH TO OVERCOME OUR INNATE TENDENCY TOWARD BIAS?
There was a fascinating story on CBS’s “60 Minutes” recently about research at the Yale University Infant Cognition Center. Using puppet shows, researchers at this baby lab have been able to create simple ways to find out what is going on in the minds of little ones, even at 5 months or 3 months of age. Among their findings — infants have a sense of morality and justice. Continue reading...
Income Disparities Threaten Economy
IT’S TIME TO TILT THE FIELD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION TO PROMOTE HEALTHY GROWTH
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp, and like David improvise on instruments of music; who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph. Continue reading...
Studying The Politics Of The Kingdom Of God
WHAT IF WE GOVERNED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY THE VALUES JESUS LIVED AND TAUGHT
It is almost time to vote. Continue reading...
How To Harass A Good Man To Death
A VETERAN FIREFIGHTER’S ARKANSAS LOCAL POLICE AND FIRE RETIREMENT SYSTEM TURNS ON HIM
One of the fascinating things about my job is that I have the privilege of being with people during some of their most challenging times. Occasionally I meet someone extraordinary and inspiring. Bud Planchon is one of the most remarkable people I know. Continue reading...
Legislature Should Do The Right Thing
EXTENDING MEDICAID HEALTH COVERAGE MAKES SENSE FROM AN ECONOMIC, HUMANITARIAN PERSPECTIVE
“For I was sick and you took care of me …” “Lord, when was it that we saw you sick …?” “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these … you did it to me.” There is some good news coming down the pike for some of “the least of these.” Medicaid is extending to cover people who earn up to 138 percent of the poverty level. That means an individual earning $15,414 or less will qualify for health care coverage, and a family of four with income no more than $31,809 will have insurance. Most of these are working people who generally can’t aff ord health insurance. Continue reading...
Tragedy Has Major Implications For All
GOOD POLICIES CAN PROTECT THE VULNERABLE; PERSON IN POWER HAS RESPONSIBILITY TO SAY ‘NO’
The recent tragedy at Penn State has important implications for all institutions, including churches. Continue reading...
Cathy And Sara/Noah: A Family Story
MOTHER WHO IS A LICENSED COUNSELOR LEARNS TO LOVE A SON THE WAY SHE ONCE LOVED A DAUGHTER
Cathy Campbell helps children and adolescents when life seems to be crashing down on them. She’s a licensed counselor who works with foster and adopted children whose relationships with adults have been broken because of trauma, abuse and neglect. Continue reading...
If Good People Do Nothing: Genocide
AMERICA HAS POWER, MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SOMETHING; NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT IN SUDAN
Do you ever place yourself into a historical story and wonder what you would have done had you been there? Continue reading...
Church Also Has Experienced Evolution
CAN ANYONE WITHHOLD MARRIAGE FROM THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT JUST AS WE HAVE?
It was an evolving and controversial process for the early Church to accept non-Jews into their fellowship. Continue reading...
Following The Cause Of Love, Justice
MORALITY OF GROUPS, ESPECIALLY NATIONS, IS EVEN WORSE THAN MORALITY OF INDIVIDUALS
Shortly before he was assassinated, Oscar Romero, the Roman Catholic archbishop of El Salvador, said, “I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am killed, I shall arise in the people of El Salvador!” Romero’s spirit lived on in the resurrection power of his people, continuing his struggle for nonviolence and economic justice. Continue reading...
Where Law, Religion Cross Each Other
CHURCH AND STATE BOUND TO CLASH OCCASIONALLY OVER QUESTIONS OF MORALITY, FAITH
Here are some questions that evoke some strong and conflicting religious convictions. Continue reading...
Imagining A Fair And Just Society For Everyone
JESUS SUMMARIZED LAW AS LOVING GOD, LOVING NEIGHBOR THE SAME AS ONE LOVES ONESELF
Jesus summarized all of the law and the prophets with the commandment that we are to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Continue reading...
Drive-By Shooting Reported
SPRINGDALE — Police are investigating a drive-by shooting reported on Braxton Drive on Friday night.
Continue reading...
Football League Essentially A Plutocracy
NFL RETAINS COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH POLICIES THAT HELP ALL TEAMS COMPETE DESPITE MARKET SIZE
I love football. I’ll be watching the Super Bowl today. I’ll be wearing my Eli Manning jersey, cheering for the kid whose dad was my college quarterback. Watching the NFL is my favorite after-church activity. That’s the sad thing about the Super Bowl — when it’s over, no more football until fall. Continue reading...
Koran Quotations On The Wall, Perhaps?
AMERICANS NEED TO GET GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE RELIGION BUSINESS, HONOR FIRST AMENDMENT
Several recent letters to the editor have taken exception to the state of Arkansas for enforcing the First Amendment by withdrawing taxpayer funding for some religious schools. Continue reading...
Story Of Christmas Is For Everyone
IT’S ONE PART OF WHAT MAKES THE HOLIDAY SEASON SO WONDERFUL FOR ALL WHO CELEBRATE IT
There is something wonderful about a baby. Continue reading...
It’s Time For Christians To Speak Up
WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE RECENT DEBATE ABOUT OUR DEFICIT HAS BEEN FRAMED
Several of my columns have focused on the plight of the poor in the United States and the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of fewer and fewer people over the last three decades. Some readers have challenged me on a couple of grounds: F Continue reading...
Concentration Of Wealth In Fewer Hands
OCCUPY WALL STREET MOVEMENT AN INSTINCTIVE AMERICAN REACTION AGAINST 30-YEAR TREND
Let’s use this newspaper as an object lesson. Continue reading...
We Should Show Compassion In All Things
LET’S TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT: APPLY THE VALUES OF JESUS TO OUR SOCIAL, POLITICAL DISCOURSE
I have an interest in applying the values of Jesus to our social and political discourse. And I’m troubled by many Christians who advocate policies that seem contrary to Jesus’ values or who focus on things that are not central to what we know of his priorities. Continue reading...
Bad Religion Makes For Very Bad Politics
NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION AN EMERGING, MORE RADICALIZED VERSION OF DOMINIONISM
On Aug. 6, as presidential candidate Rick Perry kicked off his campaign for the White House, he held a large rally organized by some religious groups that are not well-known to the general public — leaders from the New Apostolic Reformation and their associates with the International House of Prayer and The Call. Continue reading...
PEOPLE & PLACES
Williams Marks 98th Birthday Continue reading...
Our Challenge, Our Call Remain The Same
WHAT IF AMERICA HAD RESPONDED TO TERRORIST ATTACKS WITH LOVE INSTEAD OF WAR?
My friend Fred Burnham recently came to town to talk about his experience of Sept. 11, 2001. If the near tower of the World Trade Center had shifted its direction by 12 feet, he would have been among those buried there. As it was, he and a handful of friends huddled in the dark, smothering in a smoky stairwell, while the successive booms of collapsing floors a few feet away made them believe they were under a military attack. Continue reading...
Granddad Was Generous
WRONG THAT SOME WANT TO CUT MEDICAID TO FUND DEFICIT
My grandfather is one of the reasons I’m a priest today. He gave me a form of unconditional love that helped make it possible for me to believe in a God of unconditional love. Continue reading...
Learn To Love Your Neighbor And Mean It
JESUS’ LIFE CHARACTERIZED BY COMPASSION
Christians interpret the scriptures through the lens of Jesus. We claim Jesus is the human face of God. When we look at Jesus, we get a glimpse into the nature and character of God. What do we see when we look at Jesus? Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Heaven Is Within Reach Right Now
NO END OF THE WORLD PROBABLY DOESN’T MEAN AN END TO SILLY PREDICTIONS BY CAMPING AND LIKE
FAYETTEVILLE — If you are reading this, the world did not end Saturday as Family Radio preacher Harold Camping predicted. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Catholics, Protestants Call For Mercy
GROUPS REMIND AMERICANS BUDGET IS MORAL DOCUMENT
FAYETTEVILLE — Catholics and Protestants uniting!? In separate documents, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and a coalition of evangelical and mainline Protestants have united to remind Americans that a federal budget is a moral document, and that the budget passed recently by the U.S. House of Representatives follows a questionable moral trajectory. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Dalai Lama Preaches Wisdom
HIS HOLINESS PARTICIPANT IN ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT
FAYETTEVILLE — With joy I will join a sold out Bud Walton Arena a month from tomorrow to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Northwest Arkansas. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY The Rich Get All The Breaks
NUTRITION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN UNDER ATTACK
“There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” — Warren Buffett, 2006 The Sheriff of Nottingham is winning, driving Robin Hood deeper into the woods. This is the era to “take from the poor and give to the rich.” Under attack are nutrition programs for infants and pregnant women, community health centers for the poor, school meals and teachers. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY Praying For Jonathan Chavez
DEAN: UNDOCUMENTED UA STUDENTS EXEMPLIFY AMERICAN DREAM
Iread a lot of letters about “illegals,” and what we should do with them. Here’s a story that may make the folks who write those letters feel a little safer. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY More Families Than Mangers
REMEMBER THE POOR, CHILDREN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
When Christians celebrate Christmas this week, we will tell the story of a displaced family. They are homeless and pregnant. Their first child is born in a cave where cattle were kept. The mother laid the child in a feeding troth for animals. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY Bubble Up Versus Trickle Down
A RETHINKING OF ECONOMIC POLICIES
My son-in-law is a marine biologist. He hopes to travel next year to study what may be the only unfished coral reef in the world. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Christ Speaks Politics
WHAT WOULD JESUS DO IF ELECTED TO GOVERNMENT OF GOD?
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — On a couple of occasions I’ve heard from readers who say something along the line of this post to the NWAOnline comments following my previous column: “Shame on you Lowell Grisham for representing Christ in the wrong way. Nowhere in the Bible does Christ call on the government to take care of people. Continue reading...
The Long View Of Health Care
I remember when Congress passed the 1964 Civil Rights bill. White reaction in my home state was apocalyptic with anger and fear. People were certain — our nation was ruined. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY Recent Events Show We Can Do Better
Several things in the news have caught my attention recently. I’d like to offer a few comments on them. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY Principles On Immigration
BIBLE SAYS FOREIGNERS ‘MUST BE TREATED AS YOUR NATIVE-BORN’
Who are the people promoting racist laws like what Arizona has just passed? Arizona now requires brown people to carry identification, or risk arrest. That’s what the fascist, communist, apartheid, and totalitarian nations do — not Americans. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Paid In The Wages Of Fear
DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE FROM BEST OF AMERICAN VALUES
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — On Sept. 12, 2001, I decided that I would not allow the terrorists’ attacks of the previous day to change my life. I believe the best way to defeat terrorists is to live joyfully and fearlessly — not to give them what they want: fear and division. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY Science Is God’s Gift, Too
SPIRIT REVEALS TRUTH FOR THE FREEDOM OF MAN
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” John 16:12-13 a “You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:33 Because God is truth, people of faith must be people committed to truth. Whenever we discover truth, from any source, we are to recognize that as divine revelation, the spirit of truth. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY - Health Care Priority For Christians
ACCESS VALUE TO AMERICANS
FAYETTEVILLE — I’ve got two friends dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Continue reading...
COMMENTARY: Wage Theft Should Be A Crime
LITTLE ROCK — “You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy laborers, whether other Israelites or aliens who reside in your land in one of your towns.” Deuteronomy 24:14 Aworker I interviewed, whom we’ll call Victoria, took a job at a Fayetteville restaurant for $50 a day. She worked 10 to 10, six days a week. That comes to $4.16 an hour. Arkansas’ minimum wage is $6.25, plus time-and-a-half for work over 40 hours per week. Victoria’s terms of employment were illegal. Had she been paid a legal minimum wage, she would have earned $300 more per week. Continue reading...
ROOTS & WINGS : ‘Wild Things’ and Halloween
Empowering children’s emotions and imaginations
FAYETTEVILLE — The wonderful children’s picture book “Where the Wild Things Are” is now a movie. I hope the film lives up to the enchanting quality of the 1964 Caldecott Medal award winner. I loved reading “Where the Wild Things Are” to my children, and maybe more importantly, they enjoyed reading it to themselves. Continue reading...
ROOTS & WINGS : Fervor casts out fear
Loving the angst out of health care reform
FAYETTEVILLE — Fear is the opposite of love. "There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Fear is essentially a faithless reaction. The grip of fear is the worst possible context for solving problems or for living well. Fear can make us crazy. I'm told that the command "Fear not," "Do not be afraid," or "Be not afraid" is found 365 times in the Bible, once for every day of the year. Jesus presents himself as a man of faith, not fear. Continue reading...
ROOTS & WINGS : Firm foundations
Strong education helps create healthy communities
FAYETTEVILLE — In my previous column, I talked about how Jesus was a healer. Continue reading...
ROOTS & WINGS: Promoting Christian Values
Let's make Jesus' priorities our own
FAYETTEVILLE — Jesus is a healer. Healing and teaching were Jesus of Nazareth's most characteristic activities. Healer-Evangelist Graham Jones documents that nearly 40 percent of the narrative verses in the New Testament are about healing. Twenty-six of the 35 miracles of Jesus were healings (bible.org). Continue reading...
ROOTS & WINGS : Can we talk about health care?
Mom's got it made. What about the rest of us?
FAYETTEVILLE — My mom had cancer last year. After surgery, radiation and chemo, she's doing great. Her energy's back, her color is good and her hair grew back with some attractive extra curl. Continue reading...
ROOTS & WINGS : Saving salvation
Rescuing a good word
FAYETTEVILLE — The Episcopal Church's presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, ruffled some feathers the other day with a comment in her opening address to the General Convention. As she reflected on the global environmental and economic crisis, she said this: "The overarching connection in all of these crises has to do with the great Western heresy - that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God. It's caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus. That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy, at the center of existence, as the ground of being." Continue reading...
