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“It Only Takes a Taste of Him”

In my upcoming book, OMG! What’s Been Done with Jesus? Bringing Christ Back to the Forefront (scheduled for release December 2025), I briefly discuss Psalm 34:8 (NIV), which says, Taste and see that the Lord is good.

It’s no surprise to me that the Lord alludes to food here; Jesus, too, used food as metaphors. The definition of taste is “the sensation of flavor perceived in the mouth and throat on contact with a substance.” As a verb, it is to “perceive or experience the flavor of.” I think this is precisely what God wants humankind to do.

When a friend invites us to taste a dish they’ve prepared or are still cooking, we rarely gulp down a full plate or take a big spoonful of it. We put a small amount into our mouths to see if it is flavorful, well-prepared, or tastes delicious. Does the mixture of spices and seasonings delight our taste buds?

God, in His wise simplicity, invites humankind to do the same. He’s telling us here that we don’t have to try to experience the full measure of Himself all at once or rack our brains trying to perform activities well enough to know Him (i.e., praying, bible reading, going to church, or ridding ourselves of wrong). No.

In this verse, the Lord simply invites us to experience a small taste of Himself. This taste will prove His goodness and faithfulness. The Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary notes the word “taste” in this verse as a verb. The Greek word is γεύομαι (geuomai), which means “to taste, eat, partake of,” usually implying enjoyment of the experience. (Retrieved from Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, Copyright © 2006 by William D. Mounce.)

Partake of an experience with God, the Father, which only happens upon believing in His Son, Jesus Christ. Don’t try to go big to impress people or because of pressure from others. Don’t do it to compensate for your losses or faults. Simply taste Him. You may say, “But I don’t have much faith at all.” That’s okay. Jesus said, “…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20 NIV).

“Yum! He is soooo good!”  Go ahead, just taste; you’ll enjoy the experience; trust me. 😊

Be blessed until next time…

Jehovah is our God Too

My Google search noted how “Jehovah” is a Latinization of the Hebrew name for God, YHWH, which is also known as the Tetragrammaton. The four Hebrew letters YHWH, which are often transliterated as “Jehovah,” are the consonants of God’s name.  It’s considered one of God’s personal names in Judaism and is used in some Christian traditions. (AI Overview, 2025)

The name that follows Jehovah is a word that describes an aspect of God’s character and nature. Jehovah Sabaoth, Naheh, and Milchamma are ones I gravitate to. I’m naturally a fighter and outspoken. You will hear my voice or see me in action, standing up for a cause, speaking out against systemic racism or injustice, or vehemently fighting for the cause of the weak or those harmed. This nature of Jehovah, God reminds me to step back and let the Lord fight for me because He has power over all armies/systems, is strong in battle, and can smite any enemy.  

The names for Jehovah, God, are listed below. Read the chapter for context or clarity on who the Lord is or what He does, and then glean from the one you most need Him to be right now. 🙂

  • Jehovah Jireh – The Lord, my Provider – Genesis 22
  • Jehovah Rapha – The Lord who heals – Exodus 15
  • Jehovah Nissi – The Lord, my banner – Exodus 17
  • Jehovah M’Kaddesh – The Lord who sanctifies – Exodus 31
  • Jehovah Chereb – The Lord, my Sword – Deuteronomy 33
  • Jehovah Magen – The Lord, my Shield – Deuteronomy 33
  • Jehovah Shalom – The Lord, my Peace – Judges 6
  • Jehovah Sabaoth – Lord of the hosts of heaven – 1 Samuel 1
  • Jehovah Kahbodi – The Lord, my Glory – Psalm 3
  • Jehovah Malech-Olam – The Lord who is king forever – Psalm 10
  • Jehovah Chezeq – The Lord, my strength – Psalm 18
  • Jehovah Misqabbi – The Lord, my strong tower – Psalm 18
  • Jehovah Naheh – The Lord who smites the enemy – Psalm 18
  • Jehovah Seli – The Lord, my Rock – Psalm 18
  • Jehovah Hoshea – The Lord, my Savior – Psalm 20
  • Jehovah Rohi – The Lord, my Shepherd – Psalm 23
  • Jehovah Milchamma – The Lord, mighty in battle – Psalm 24
  • Jehovah Ori – The Lord, my Light – Psalm 27
  • Jehovah Gannan – The Lord who is my defense – Psalm 89
  • Jehovah Machsi – The Lord my Refuge – Psalm 91
  • Jehovah Hamelech – The Lord, my King – Psalm 98
  • Jehovah Bara – The Lord, my Creator – Isaiah 40
  • Jehovah Goel – The Lord, my Redeemer – Isaiah 49
  • Jehovah Ma’oz – The Lord, my Fortress – Jeremiah 16
  • Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord, my righteousness – Jeremiah 23
  • Jehovah Shammah – The Lord who is present – Ezekiel 48   (Retrieved from Christianity 201, 2019, https://christianity201.wordpress.com/2019/10/13/jehovah-names-of-god/)

The Crawford singers—my nieces and nephew—beautifully sing about our Jehovah God. If you are on Facebook, listen here: https://www.facebook.com/perry.crawford.174408/videos/2161556904295644

If you are not on Facebook, listen here:

Jehovah Is Your Name by the Crawford singers

Enjoy!! Until next time… 🙂

A Reading from My Upcoming Book

Happy May folks.

I missed you guys in April because time is moving fast, and I’m consumed with finishing my book for publication this year. I’m in the editing phase, submitting chapters to my editor, then rewriting. It’s going well. I’m amazed how my editor can see what I couldn’t. They are great to have; I’m grateful for mine and appreciate her.

On Easter Day, my nephew and his wife invited me to read an excerpt from my book at their church’s Easter service. It was a great opportunity, although I had never done it before. I was a bit nervous and hoping I spoke clearly enough.

I’m sharing this reading with you in this month’s blog. I hope you will watch the video and that it will inspire you to want to read more of the book. The church is Immanu-El Temple International Church, Pastor Willie C. Signil, IV. Currently, they meet online each Sunday at 9:00 am EST. My nephew, an Army veteran, deployed to and fought in Iraq for several years. He recently retired and began this ministry, but has been preaching for quite some time. If you have no church home, you are welcome to join Immanu-El Temple International Church services on Facebook or Instagram.

So, here I am as I am–natural, ordinary, and plain reading an excerpt from my upcoming book. (I’m sure my nieces and other younger ladies would offer some makeover and fashion tips for my next reading. That’s cool; I’ll take it.) LOL!

Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/ITIChurch/videos/1184922029788597

I appear early, right after the second worship song. (The video pauses a few seconds but soon continues.)

Happy listening. Be blessed until next time. 🙂

Happy Spring!

Hello, fellow bloggers and subscribers.

My favorite time of year is here, and I turned another year old on March 4. So, I’m excited about the warm weather; it’s when I blossom just like the flowers. 🙂 I’m also grateful for another year in the land of the living.

How are all of you? Drop me a quick reply about how you are or what’s happening in your world. Or, briefly share something inspirational with us. That would be nice. 🙂

I don’t have many inspirational words this month, other than whatever project, relationship, change, or bad habits you’re working on, know that the bible declares, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). If you’re a Christ follower, look for the Lord’s enabling strength to see you through and to make it to a victorious completion.

It’s what I’m relying on to publish my first book, OMG! What’s Been Done With Jesus? Bringing Christ Back to the Forefront.” It’s no secret that Jesus Christ’s name, purpose, and works were distorted and misunderstood in His time and still are today. Many don’t know what He really is about or came to do—even church folks. Through comparison of scripture, observations, and my personal story, the book highlights scriptural truth about Jesus, addresses some of these discrepancies, and shares snippets of my journey with Him thus far.

If you haven’t already, be sure to add your name to my author’s email list to be notified when it’s published. Click here to do so.

Blessings all, until next time. Love ya!

Kingdoms of the World vs. the Kingdom of God

I like CNN; it’s where I usually follow the breaking news, gain information on U.S. or world events, watch documentaries about “notable” figures, and get information on old/new political administrations. I like CNN’s format for delivering the news, its various anchors and newscasters, and the guests who appear to discuss, explain, and/or help us better understand what’s happening worldwide. I can watch it all day, especially if it’s something significant (i.e., our new U.S. government administration). I must admit, however, I was feeling agitated and getting sad and depressed after listening to the news daily these past few weeks. As a follower of Jesus Christ (i.e., a Christian), I needed to take a break to check my thoughts and get some perspective.

Jesus explained to His followers that there are two different kingdoms—a kingdom that operates on the earth and a spiritual kingdom, which operates in the heavenly realm. People govern the kingdoms of the world and oversee and orchestrate affairs on behalf of the citizens and the earth. In contrast, the kingdom of God, which Jesus is really king of, is spiritual and is concerned with God’s rule, action, lordship, sovereign governance, and God’s will and ways being declared and manifested on earth. Once, when being questioned by one of the high-ranking officials in His day, Jesus tells him how His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:28-37).

It’s important to note that Jesus never disregarded or disrespected the kingdoms of the world or its leaders. An example is found in Matthew 22:18-21, where a group who hated the fact that Jesus claimed authority over God’s kingdom tested Him on this very issue. It reads, “Then the Pharisees went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words. They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality. Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? Show me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought him a denarius. Jesus said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  Now when they heard this they were stunned, and they left him and went away.”

This clearly demonstrates how Jesus acknowledges Caesar’s (or a government’s) authority and the respect we should show it. (Pay your taxes, in so many words.) And, Jesus pays His tax when he sends his disciple (or follower) Peter to find a coin to pay the Temple tax. Read it in Matthew 17:24-27. He also acknowledges here a reverence for God’s kingdom.

Finally, the Bible urges Christians to pray for world leaders, even those who are flawed. This further demonstrates God’s respect for earthly kingdoms and who’s in place to govern its affairs. (See 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and Colossians 1:16-17.)

Here’s the break I needed to take after listening to CNN. I had to step back, get God’s viewpoint, and shift my perspective so I wouldn’t be so depressed. I realize now God appoints world leaders; they’re put in place by Him. “Whaaat? OMG!” I should and can pray for them because there is a Master who is over them—the One who governs the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 6:9). 🙂

Be blessed until next time.