TGM_Mar-Apr_2017

HE HAS
RISEN
LIFE EXPECTANCY
Statistics vs. God’s Gift
SOUND DOCTRINE
Is There Still A Sound
Going Forth?
March – April 2017 | Issue 3 | Volume 3

Elect Lady
Patricia A. Owens, D.D.
Bishop
Phillip E. Owens, D.D.
SAVE THE DATE!
Come join us in fellowship
Service Times
Sunday @ 11:00am & 6:30pm
2610 Fire Mesa St.
Las Vegas, NV 89128
702-818-4285
www.immanuelstemple.com
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From the Desk of Bishop Owens
Learn the importance of what it means
to live life to its fullest as Bishop Owens
teaches us to embrace our faith. Eternal
life takes on a brand new meaning as we
number our days.
From the Desk of Bishop Owens
Life Expectancy
Elect Lady’s Corner
Sound Doctrine! Is There Still a Sound Going Forth?
My-T-Sharp
The Power of Music
Education
What Happened to Educational Standards?
Elect Lady’s Corner
Sound the trumpet as Elect Lady Owens
expounds upon the importance of sound
doctrine. Judgement shall first begin at
the household of faith. Will the church be
ready?
Kids & Family
Don’t Forget the Family Prayer!
Wellness
Tight Budget? Is It Still Possible to Eat Healthy?
Food & Recipes
Easy & Yummy Caramel Apple Dump Cake
D.I.Y.
Making Dreams Come True
My-T-Sharp
Take a journey with Monty Mont as he
and his anointed panel discuss the power
of music. Learn how influential music has
been since the beginning of time, and how
it is able to reach to the very depths of
ones soul.
Brain Games
How Well Do You Know the Christmas Story?
© 2017 by The Gathering-Everything Pertaining to Life and Godliness. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written authorization of The Gathering-Everything Pertaining to Life and Godliness.
The views expressed in the articles are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Gathering-Everything Pertaining to Life and Godliness or the
organization by who the authors are employed.
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4

Bishop Philip E. Owens D.D.
Life expectancy is is the statistical measurement of
the average time a person is expected to live, based
on the year of their birth, their current age and
other demographic factors including whether they
are male or female. According to the data compiled
by the Social Security Administration, a man reaching age 65 today
can expect to live, on average, until age 84.3. A woman turning 65
today can expect to live, on average, until 86.6 years of age. Jesus
said “I have come that they may have life, and that they might have
it more abundantly” (St. John 10:10b KJV). The two keywords in
this verse is “that.” Jesus proclaimed “that” he came to give life, and
“that” they might have it more abundantly. Jesus’s “that” is more
certain than Wikipedia predictions. God’s promise of eternal life
is the reason why we believe and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. It is because life is so precious but yet so uncertain that we
embrace the faith that assures us we shall live forever.
~ Believe ~
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From Elect Lady’s Corner...
SOUND DOCTRINE!
IS THERE STILL A SOUND GOING FORTH?
6

Elect Lady Patricia A. Owens D.D.
Romans 10:14 says: “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not
believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and
how shall they hear without a preacher?” Is there even a sound going out for people
to hear so they can be saved? Or has the church relished itself to a muffled sound
when it comes to sound doctrine? Isaiah 58:1 says: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy
voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”
Somebody needs to sound the alarm and make it plain what time it is and how soon the day of the
Lord is approaching. Joel 2:1 says: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy
mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh
at hand;”
We must be careful that the true sound of the Word of God is being preached in the pulpit and
demonstrated in our lives. II Corinthians 3:2 says: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known
and read of all men.” Somebody needs to preach and live sound doctrine for people to be really
saved and prepared for the return of Christ. If we preach the truth, which is sound doctrine,
some will receive it because God will always have a remnant. But, there must be a sound going
forth! Men and women of God have a charge from God to preach sound doctrine for they will
be judged. It is not an option but a commandment! Paul said in I Corinthians 9:16: “… woe is
unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” We must not preach to entertain or for fame, but we are
instructed in I Timothy 4:2 to: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” That doesn’t sound like entertainment! There
is a God-given responsibility on how to handle the word of God and the people of God. Preachers
must not be corrupt or men pleasers because II Timothy 4:3 says: “For the time will come when
they will not endure sound doctrine; (It’s not because they can’t endure, but people choose not to
endure sound doctrine) but after their own lusts heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
We must be careful that sound words are going forth from our lips. People are hearing sounds
from corrupt teachers that cause them to turn away their hearing from the truth. They will grow
weary of sound doctrine and excited by compromising carnal doctrines that pleases the flesh more
than the Spirit. Lust creeps in when you fall away from sound doctrine and the sound of truth is
muffled by the cares and joys of this life. II Thessalonians 2:11 says: “And for this cause God shall
send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; That they all might be damned who
believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
Therefore, I adjure you as Mark 4:24 says: “… take heed to what you hear.” Just because it is a
doctrinal sound doesn’t mean it’s a sound of sound doctrine. Make sure the sound you hear is one
that rightly divides the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15) Remember, I John 4:1 says: “Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets
are gone out into the world.” Never turn a deaf ear to sound doctrine! Some of us are still
preaching it! Lastly, Galatians 1: 8 says: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Henceforth,
we gladly endure the sound of sound doctrine!
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If you have been following at all,
you kind of know a little bit about
ole Monty Mont. You know I am in
the music business. I have been a
musician. I have been playing since I
was five... piano, drums, things like
that. I work in my church as a music
minister. Music has always been me.
I took classical lessons coming up, I
was in a band, used to play trumpet,
saxophone... I have always been in
music. My grandmother used to talk
about when I was young, I was always
hitting pots and pans and things like
that. I first want to talk about the
power of music.
On my panel today, Doc is a musician
and has been a musician at our church
for years and he has played on the
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drums. T Sizzle is on our praise team
and sings as well. We both write, she
works with a group named Ascension.
If you check on our YouTube channel, I
put a little snippet of them doing some
stuff. So these are not layman, but
these are people that work in music,
and understand music and have been
following music all of their lives as
well.
When I say the power of music,
everybody has some sort of music that
they like. There are a lot of different
types of music. We will probably
not agree on the types of music.
There’s gospel music, there’s country
music, there’s pop and all that stuff...
everybody likes something. The thing
with music is that music can get in
you without you even understanding
it or knowing it. You hardly ever see
commercials that don’t have some sort
of music to them, some sort of jingle.
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is
there... You see how you know it? You
sing it. And there is no way you sat
at home one day and said I am going
to learn the State Farm jingle. That is
a part of advertising. They put things
in you. You know how it is. You’ll get
a song in your head that you don’t
even like. Somebody at work will
start humming... Music is infectious
like that. Music can influence. Music
can drive people to do things. It can
make you feel emotions. So it is very
powerful and I want you guys to talk
from your experience of how the
power of music has affected you.

Doc: First of all, I thank God for the
opportunity to be here. As far as the
power of music affecting me, I can
remember as a little boy just hearing
the melodious sounds and the rhythms.
How did it affect me personally? Like
yourself Monty Mont, I would get pots
and pans and I would try to mimic that
sound, that rhythm that I heard. You
know being three or four years old,
you don’t have a sense of timing yet,
but it activated something in me. I just
believe that music is that melody that
resonates with everyone’s soul, not just
how they feel, not just their intellect.
But it hits them somewhere on the
inside which is the soul.
T Sizzle: I agree with that. Again
giving honor to God and giving honor
to my leadership. Thank you for having
me on the show Monty Mont this is
quite a privilege. Growing up in my
household, my mother was a choir
director for many years, so I grew up
listening and being a part of choir with
her. She was also classically trained,
so she had an opera background and
classical music background as well.
She would always have music playing
in the house and you could hear older
saints say, this child is musical. Some
children are really drawn or prone to
music. It was something very key that
you said... it was on the inside of you.
And really, when you think about that,
we are all made up of body, soul and
spirit. So obviously there is something
very spiritual about music. You can
turn on music for a child in China, you
can turn on music for a child in Africa
or you can turn on music for a child in
Czechoslovakia, they all are going to
pretty much have the same response.
They are all going to start moving as a
reaction. Music is very powerful and
very spiritual.
Monty: It is and I was just about to
hit that point. When a child hears
music, its instinct is to move. They
don’t know the melody, they don’t
know the chorus and things like that.
It is in them. For me with music, it
is amazing. Somebody will say, “Call
me tomorrow” and I will sure enough
forget. But if I hear some music it is
hard for me to forget it. I am the type
of person that if I walk inside the mall,
I hear the music. A lot of people walk
and don’t hear anything. If I walk in any
store the music... I hear it. It’s funny,
I remember there is an artist and her
name is Katy Perry. I heard something
like she sold so many millions. I looked
her up on Wikipedia and I read her
story and was like okay... because I was
like, “Who is this Katy Perry because
I keep hearing her?” I clicked on one
of her songs and I am like, “What does
she do?” When I clicked on her song I
am like, “How do I know this?” Then I
clicked on another one and I was like,
“How do I know this?” It was about five
of her songs and I ain’t never bought
no Katy Perry. At work, they play it
and it is in the air. And I said you know
what... I was like how do I know this
melody? Music can get in and really
influence your mind. People know
you are having a down day, you want
to play your song... for us as believers,
your worship can be so... for me in my
prayer time, it is not the same when
I don’t have music. Not that I don’t
love the Lord, but there are certain
songs for me where I can get lost in the
worship. Not that I can’t pray, I can,
but even with praise, even when I am
in the House of God. When the music
is at a certain level and as a musician
to understand how the music can help
change a service. When the president
is coming, they want to set the tone,
when you watch football on TV, all of
these types of things. And like I said,
people might have different tastes
in music, but they understand the
relevance and the power that music can
have.
Doc: I think that is key, something
you just stated. The power of music.
It is a phenomenon that in sports, a
team could be losing, we have seen
this on all levels, but if a band starts
playing, people start cheering and they
get a certain chant. It brings a certain
momentum, especially if you are the
home team. Wait a minute.... We are
at home. We are not suppose to get
beat down on home court. But even
in secular realms, music sets a mood.
It has a certain power to it, and that’s
why it is so addicting. If you look at
some of the past news reports on some
of the crimes that have taken place in
our society. Many psychologists and
different detectives point back that
what triggered a certain action from
a person of anger to create a crime,
or to commit the crime was the fact
that they heard a lyric with a certain
beat that was stuck in their head and
took over their spirit. It has a power to
it. That is one thing I hear people say
since being saved when you witness
to people is, “What about music?”
It is not cigarettes generally, it is not
drinking, if that is what they are into.
The general question is about music
because it is so powerful.
To be continued...
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The World We Live In:
What Happened to Educational Standards?
Written by Paris Fundunburks
We
live in a world where standards are
getting lower and lower. Elected
officials are not expected to be
above reproach. The sanction of
marriage has become desecrated and is entered into with
little commitment. The church has abandoned the idea
of being a light; looking, sounding, and behaving just like
the world. With all this elimination of standards, it is no
surprise that the education system has immensely lowered
standards for students. Students are graduating without
being able to read, write, or problem solve. Grade inflation
is a reality and students are expected to know what they
should have learned in elementary by the end of high
school. With no standards, education is becoming nothing
but a front. Parents are told that their students are being
prepared for college when they are not even being properly
prepared to become citizens.
According to the National Assessment of Educational
Progress (NAEP) only 35 percent of U.S. 8th graders were
proficient in math by 2011. The most recent calculations
show that the U.S. stands 32nd in math among nations in
the industrialized world. Worldwide ranking is not much
better - the United States stands in 17th for reading. Low
performance of U.S. students is a reference to the low
expectations placed in schools. States are setting their
proficiency bars much lower to excuse students who
are not meeting the standards set by the NAEP. Teachers
are further putting students at a disadvantage by giving
students A’s, making them believe that they are proficient
in subjects such as reading and writing when they are failing
national assessments. Up to 19 public high schools from
Alberta Education and the Calgary Board of Education were
included in a study conducted by Kids Come First. The
study showed students averaging lower scores on their Math
30-1 diploma exams rather than their final class grades.
What does this mean? Students are not being challenged to
learn material, but allowed to pass as they locate the correct
answers. This will hinder students when they attempt to
take standardized tests to get into college.
Due to the lack of standards in education throughout the
years, in May 2010, the ASCD endorsed the Common
Core State Standards Initiative. This initiative was set
to develop common K-12 reading and math standards
designed to prepare students for college and their careers.
Furthermore, students must show a rooted understanding
of concepts, rather than being able to simply identify the
correct answer. This allows for students to be properly
ranked and compared to other students across the nation.
Although these standards have been adopted by numerous
states, schools still need to work to implement these, or
standards like these, in the classroom. Although getting
there will cause students to get fewer A’s at first, they
will learn to work for these grades. In the long run,
implementing higher standards will bring U.S. students up
to par with students across the nation, setting them up for
years of success.
2 Timothy 3:17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient,
outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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Works Consulted: http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/siteASCD/policy/CommonCoreStds.pdf | http://educationnext.org/despite-common-core-states-still-lack-common-standards/
http://www.calgarysun.com/2017/03/12/math-grade-inflation-in-cbe-schools-re

Written by Rosheka Cabell
As
2017 progresses, it is not hard to see
that these are some pretty uncertain
times. Political turmoil and the
deception that follows, potential wars,
international unrest, bizarre natural disasters, the rise
of wickedness in high places (i.e. the LBGT movement),
the disregard for God, and the neglect of standards in the
Church all point to the fact that we are closer than ever to
Christ’s return. With all of this unfolding and seemingly
out of our control, are we helpless? Absolutely not! What
can we do? Pray.
Though there are many uncertainties in the world there
are no uncertainties in God’s word! The Bible is full of
scriptures that speak to the importance and power of
prayer. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God presents a dynamic
promise that if we humble ourselves and pray, He will hear
us, forgive us, and heal our land. Jesus tells us in Matthew
18:19, if just two of us agree in prayer on earth, it will be
done for us by God in Heaven! In the tumultuous times of
the early Church, the saints unified in prayer so fervently,
that God sent an angel to help Peter escape prison and
death (Acts 12, James 5:16)! Ephesians 6:18, Colossians
4:2, and Luke 18:1 all instruct us in the importance of
continual prayer. It’s time-out for just reading about these
and about time to enact them within our families.
Bishop and Elect Lady Owens often recount the many
nights they would kneel at the bedside of their daughter,
gathering the entire family in prayer at the close of
their day. As we see the day of Christ approaching, they
admonished us all to follow suit! Whether you’re a family
of one or ten, dedicate some time (anytime, anywhere)
in your day to commit your family in prayer (2 Timothy
1:12b)! Pray for the Church, the leadership and saints; pray
for the nation, government, and world; pray for those who
don’t know Christ and those in need; pray for friends and
loved ones; pray for each other and pray for yourself! Pray
without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)!
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Tight Budget?
Is It Still Possible to Eat Healthy?
Written by Megan Bass
Is it possible to Eat Healthy on a Tight Budget?
When your on a tight budget you may think to yourself, eating healthy isn’t for me because its just to expensive.
However, healthy eating on a budget is possible, it just takes a game plan and a little creativity.
There are numerous ways to get creative and plan a healthy meal on a tight budget. One of the ways you can shop
on a tight budget, is going to your local grocery store and look to see if they offer a savings card and check the
weekly circular to see what’s on sale. Instead of shopping for groceries based on your weekly meal plan, consider
planning your meals around what’s on sale. Also there are apps that you can download on your phone such as
Ibotta which is a free cash back app that helps you save money and earn cash back on your everyday purchases.
You can always check your local newspaper for coupons to discount your purchases as well.
Another way to save is to cook at home which is a much cheaper option than eating out. When you cook at
home, you can get more value out of your grocery budget by focusing on foods that are high in nutrients like
vegetables. Vegetables are not only high in nutrients but also low on cost if you keep your focus on seasonal
produce. With starch and some cheap protein, you have a complete and nutritious meal for only a dollar or
so. Generally you can feed an entire family of four for the same price as buying food for one or two people at a
restaurant.
Lastly, consider building up your staples products that way when you grocery shop your not purchasing more
staples than food. One way to do this is to purchase staples over time and before you run low or completely out,
stock up.
If you are willing to invest a little time into stretching your budget it will pay off, just as the scripture says in, 2
Corinthians 9:6 ESV whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also
reap bountifully. So with a little practice and a few changes it is possible to eat healthy on a tight budget.
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Easy and Yummy
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
Written by Sandra Thompson
food
&
Recipes
As we bend our knees and bow our heads each day to ask
“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), whether
a single parent or head of household, we need to earnestly
pray for Wisdom (James 1:5) to know how to make our
dollar work when providing for our families. Remembering
the Basic Requirements for a Healthy & Happy Family.
If you can boil water, you CAN cook! The most important
thing to remember, like anything else you want to accomplish,
cooking takes practice.
YUMMY CARAMEL APPLE DUMP CAKE
(Adapted from Pillsbury)
Ingredients
- 11(oz.) pkg. Caramel Bits
- 2/3 c. Evaporated Milk, divided
- Vanilla Cake Mix
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. Nutmeg
- ¾ c. Butter, melted
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
- 2 (20oz.) can Apple Pie Filling
- Vanilla Ice Cream
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13” pan with
cooking spray and set aside.
2. Melt together caramel and 1/3 c. of the evaporated milk
over medium low heat, stirring often until mixture is
blended.
3. Mix together cake mix, cinnamon and nutmeg until
fully combined. Then add melted butter, vanilla and
remaining 1/3 c. evaporated milk.
4. Spread half of the cake mixture over the bottom of the
9x13” pan. Bake for 8 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the oven, spreading pie filling by
spoonful’s over cake mix carefully.
6. Pour caramel mixture over the apples and then drop by
spoonful’s the remaining cake mix.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cake browns and
caramel bubbles around the edge of cake.
8. Serve warm with Vanilla Ice Cream.
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DIY
Making Dreams Come True
Written by Aisha Bowen
Are you full of ideas with no clue how to express them? Satisfy that creative genius on the inside by remodeling your
environment at home, church, or the office!
READY. SET. HERE WE GO!
What is this set before you? A marathon? Nope. Could
it be a sprint? No sireeee! This is a relay race folks!
The reward of crossing the finish line is a dream come
true! So embrace the journey and watch your own
hands accomplish something sure to beat expectations.
DO-IT-YOURSELF!
Do-it-yourself projects can seem daunting, even
cumbersome at the start. But there are several clearcut
renovation “do’s” and “dont’s” that make the work
of any novice look like a pro!
DO KNOW YOUR BUDGET!
Determine where the money will go. Don’t be too
rigid with it. Leave a little wiggle room for change.
Experts would say that budgets are formed to keep
the project focused and in control. Keeping a budget
prevents you from breaking the bank and, at the same
time, saves money for those unexpected twists.
remodeling face-lifts like adding new color to the
walls.
DO YOUR BEST NOT TO CUT CORNERS!
It helps to do your research ahead of time. Investigate
the best painting process for drying in low moisture
environments, the expert choice for a nail or screw to
mount that wall hanging, or even look up something
that seems silly to learn, like “how to use painter’s
tape.”
The best part about a relay race is that no one person
bears the load or pressure to finish. Success is on the
shoulders of the entire team. So ask, seek after, and look
for help with your next DIY and have some faith that
your inspired vision will come alive!
DO SET A PLAN!
A relay has 4 runners that complete a race. Each one
has a specific goal to accomplish. Any renovation, even
for a small bathroom, should have phases that occur
in sequential order. This will maintain safety, keep
standards of permits or building codes, and ensure the
structural integrity of the building.
DO KNOW YOUR SKILL SET!
Don’t be afraid to admit you need a professional
to complete jobs like electrical work or plumbing.
Delegate more technical projects, such as flooring,
to those with an advanced skill set. But keep in mind
that, with simple training, any novice can engage in
From him the whole body, joined and held together by
every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up
in love, as each part does its work.
- Ephesians 4:16 (NIV)
14

BRAIN GAME
Feed My Sheep
Written by Jordan Norwood
He came, He died, and He rose for you and me! The Resurrection of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ is so powerful so make sure to keep His incredible instructions
that He left for us! See how much you remember as we pose questions from one of
the final conversations that Jesus had here on this earth, per John 21. Can you find
all the verses that hold the answers?
1. “After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of
_____________ and on this wise shewed he himself.”
2. Didymus is also known as which disciple?
3. According to John 21:4, Where did Jesus stand in the morning?
a. On the shore b. On the sea c. In the boat with the disciples
4. “And he said unto them, 'Cast the net on the ________ ________ of the ship, and ye
shall find.'"
5. After realizing that Jesus was talking with them, what two things did Peter do?
6. According to John 21:11, how many fish did the disciples catch?
7. What question did Jesus ask Peter three times after He was resurrected?
ANSWERS:1) TIBERIAS; 2) THOMAS; 3) ON THE SHORE; 4) RIGHT SIDE; 5) GIRT HIS FISHER'S COAT ON HIM AND CAST HIMSELF INTO THE SEA; 6) 153; 7) “LOVEST THOU ME MORE THAN THESE?”
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