Furs, Faith Fasion: An Interview with Evangelist Shirley Wooten

With a 6.5 millon membership, the Church Of God In Christ gathered in St. Louis for the first time, for their 103rd COGIC Holy Convocation.  Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten and First Lady Shirley Wooten of Williams Temple COGIC, were one of three co-hosts at the helm. They have attracted international attention as innovative Christian Leaders for the 21st century. No matter what your denomination, Lady Wooten has a relevant and inspiring message for all Women of Faith.

Coverings: Let’s talk about your style first. Do you have a favorite designer?

Lady Wooten: I don’t really have a favorite designer. I do shop at Macy’s, and there are some boutique’s that I like. I usually look for a bargain when I shop. Even though I like nice clothes, I do not believe in paying $5,000 for a suit when I can look just as good in something of quality that costs much less.  I can use that money to take care of the needy. My favorite makeup brand is Fashion Fair.

Coverings: How have styles of dressing changed for women in the Church of God in Christ over time?

Lady Wooten: In the past women did not wear make-up, earrings or open-toed shoes. Skirts had to be worn down to their ankles.  Some of the older saints still practice that today. But most of us have changed. We do wear make-up, moderately; we wear open-toed shoes, now. There used to be no finger nail polish, in fact there is still no wearing of red or loud nail colors. We wear soft and neutral colors.  So we have changed a lot in terms of fashion and what is permitted.  There was a time when you were considered to be unsaved if you went against those rules, but now that has changed. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.

Coverings: Have you found that there are more women coming into the denomination now that those changes have occurred? Lady Wooten:  Yes, yes I believe so. At one point, many women felt that the rules were so strict they said, “If I have to give up everything, then I don’t want to be saved.”

Coverings: Is there anything else you would like to say about that?

Lady Wooten: Only that women now are given more liberality as far as ministry is concerned. There was a time when women didn’t really minister. We now have them conducting revivals, when they once were not even allowed in the pulpit. Now that’s changed. There have been a lot of doors opened in terms of ministry in COGIC also.

Coverings: That’s wonderful. When did that happen, ten or twenty years ago?

Lady Wooten: Things are still changing and getting better day by day. In many of the national meetings we have women who minister. For instance, I was blessed with the opportunity to minister as one of the keynote speakers at the COGIC Women’s International Convention. It was held in May 2010 in Los Angeles, California and was attended by an audience of about 25,000 people.

Coverings: Was that the video I saw on YouTube?

Lady Wooten: Yes. And there are also women who are Pastors. They can’t be ordained, but they can be Pastors now.

Coverings: I love it. That is really exciting!

Lady Wooten: Yes.

Coverings: Now, I must ask because women want to know. There are a lot of women Pastors, and women in ministry, who have had some type of cosmetic surgery done. I know that Joyce Meyer was one of the first ones who had something done a few years back. Coverings tried, but could not obtain an interview.

Lady Wooten: Oh really? What was it facial surgery?

Coverings: Yes, she was one of the first ones to have her eyes done. I think it was about ten years back.

Lady Wooten: Oh I didn’t know that.

Coverings: Well, she is talking about it now.  I could tell back then because this is my business, and my eye is very keen. Anything that has to do with beauty and fashion is my business. I am trained that way. The truth is that women frequently consider having cosmetic procedures done, but do not want to offend God. They look to leaders like yourself, to know not only if it is ok to have it done, but also the way in which it can be done.  So, can you tell us a little bit about your views on cosmetic surgery for women? You can talk in general or specifically about women inside the body of Christ.

Lady Wooten: Well, I would not have cosmetic surgery done just because I wanted to change my nose, features or something of that nature. But I have had two knee replacements done. I was born with Ricketts; soft bones and bones that did not develop properly. I was very bow-legged.  About five years ago, the cartilage in both knees completely wore out and the joints were bone-on-bone. My doctor recommended that I have the knee replacements, or in a few years I eventually would not even be able to walk. Therefore, within three months I had both knees replaced in 2009, and made a miraculous recovery.

Coverings: Yes, you sure did. You don’t walk like you had it done. You don’t even look like you ever had knee surgery.

Lady Wooten: And I am not even bow-legged anymore. You know, most people who have [this type surgery] done, have to walk with a cane or a walker, or they are limping. But you saw me in those 4-inch heels yesterday…

Coverings: Yes, I did. I would have never guessed you had that type of surgery done.

Lady Wooten: I made a miraculous recovery from that. But for someone to have surgery just for cosmetic reasons…I wouldn’t recommend it, because of the possible complications,  such as blood clots. They let me fall at the hospital right after the second surgery.

Coverings: What?

Lady Wooten: Yes, with the first surgery my recovery was so rapid, I left the hospital walking without a cane or a walker. With the surgery I had three months later, they let me fall on the very knee where I had just had the surgery. They rushed me to x-ray thinking the knee had totally come apart. Miraculously, everything was fine and I was discharged two days later.  My leg was severely swollen from my hip all the way down to my toes. I was sent home and started therapy. I looked at how large my leg was swollen and thought, “that fall must have really made it bad.”

Later that night, I had a dream that I had died: there were a lot of saints standing around wearing white robes and the voice of the Lord said, “Everyone wearing white robes are going to die but you have a chance to testify before you die.” And in the dream, I was the first one to testify; wearing a white robe. I said, “I thank the Lord for my life and how He blessed me down through the years”…then all of a sudden, I just went on up to heaven. Then I woke up and told my husband, “I dreamed that I died last night.” And he said, “We rebuke that in the name of Jesus.”

In the meantime, this leg was still looking funny, but I said “you can’t die from a knee surgery.”  I called my doctor and was told to go to the emergency room. I thought, well it doesn’t look that bad. But then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Remember that dream you had? Go immediately to the emergency room.” So I went to the ER, and told them what had happened.  They took x-rays and did not find any fractures. One of the nurses came in and said  maybe I had a blood clot. She said they would do a blood test to check for blood clots, but could not use the Doppler machine because it would not be available until much later that evening. After the blood test, the doctor said everything looked good; almost 100% certain that there was not a clot and I could go home and didn’t have to wait for the Doppler machine. Then the Lord reminded me that the doctor said, “almost 100%; remember the dream; don’t go home; wait for the machine tonight at 9:30.”

It was only 4pm then, but I told the doctor I would just stay there and wait for the machine. He said, “But you can go home, you don’t have a clot.” I told him, “well, you said almost 100% and I want to wait for the machine.” He said, “Ok, it’s your choice.” I stayed there until they ran the Doppler studies at 9:30pm. They found a big  blood clot. They immediately put me in an ambulance and rushed me to Christian Northeast Hospital.  They told me, “don’t move, don’t cough, don’t go to the bathroom. This clot is about to break off any minute and could go to your brain, your heart or your lungs and you will be dead.”  The doctor asked, “What made you come?” I said, “Now you’re not going to understand this, but I had a dream that I died and that’s why I came.” He said, “Listen, let me tell you something, if you had not come, your husband would have found you dead in the bed.”

To read the rest of our interview with the powerful Lady Shirley Wooten contact us for the latest issue of Coverings!

Sleep, Pray, Love Survey

There are many studies about sleep lately.  Health.com review a sleep study that indicates our sleeping patterns are based by our lifestyle.  Our ethnicity and lifestyle shapes the aspects of how we sleep, pray, eat, and our political views.

Of all of our differences between the races, there is one comonality, most of us are not getting proper sleep at night. More than 1,000 whites, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics ages 25 to 60 were asked about their sleep and bedtime routines in this survey.  The group was conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, a nonprofit organization, where six out of 10 people reported they don’t get a good night’s sleep every night or almost every night. 

Consequently, the sleepiness affects the productivity of inivduals during the day.  It impacts every aspect of our lives and the people around us.  Thomas J.Balkin, Ph.D., chairman of the National Sleep Foundation say, “Sleepiness impacts every aspect of our lives, so for those people who are not getting a good night’s sleep, getting better sleep will make you sharper in the boardroom, give you a better quality of life, and [make] the sun seem a whole lot brighter.” In fact, it has been noted that one in four people have missed work of family functions due to a lack of sleep.

Some people are said to use sleeping aids while it is marked that certain ethnic groups are least likely to choose sleeping aids.  Some people do not sleep with their bedrooms with their loved ones or share a bedroom with their children and pets.  Others watch television, surfing the internet, or pray before going to bed almost every night of the week.  All inclusive, each group studied got les  than seven hours of sleep.

How do you get some sleep? It is suggested that people should reset their internal clocks or possibly even medication. “Most people require seven to nine hours of sleep to feel rested,” says Balkin. “The first step is to become aware of the problem, and then make more time for sleep and engage in practices that promote good, healthy sleep.” Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is ideal- an alarm clock should not be neccessary plus using the bedroom only for sleep is a good start.  Also, abstaining from nicotine, caffeine, or alcohol after 2 p.m.; and avoiding stressful tasks right before bed.

Sleep is is a requirement and is as important as diet and exercise to our overall well-being.  So, what else is keeping many Americans awake at night?  The economy? Health probems? Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea causes people to wake up frequently.  While others experience financial problems causing lack of sleep and other health concerns.

Never and Forever

Good Morning and Bless The Lord’s Name Forever!
It’s 4:30 in the morning. It’s rainy, quiet, and dark. As real as this moment is, it will change in a matter of hours. It will change because there will never be a day (in our lifetime) the sun won’t shine – never a morning the light won’t come. Today the power of our God still reigns and everything He has spoken to be – will be. How awesome is our God that only He controls and empowers the words “Never” and “Forever”. These two words belong to Him –only to our God. Because of His strength and reign, never will the ocean overtake the land or the beasts dominate mankind. Never will the firmaments fall, the seed stop producing, the mountains all tumble, and the stars fall from the sky. Because of God some things just NEVER will be. NEVER will Satan reign and wickedness prevail! The soundness of the Lord is more than reason for my soul to rest!
God said, “NEVER a time I will forsake you! FOREVER I hear your cry!”

“We’ve prayed for you.”

Pastor Wilma

Passionately in Love

Good Morning!
You love the Lord today? He sure does love you!

Think about it. God could have been a God with a different character. One who only gave us two chances to disobey, He allowed no backsliding, He had no patience, no kindness, and ruled the world from the heart of a strict judge. He could have been one who made us live day after day in fear – His eye watching our every move. A God with a heart and intent to punish us should we disturb any one of His million laws. A master who found joy in displaying the wrath of His hand. A God who made us, but didn’t necessarily care about us. Our importance to Him?…”None…Just dirt dolls!”

Instead, He turns out to be one who loves us “passionately.” When I’m bad – when I’m good. Whew! (Makes me want to cry). He’s in love with us! Watching us when we sleep, guarding us from enemies we don’t even know exist, making sure our back is covered and our front is shield. Making us laugh with joy, walk in victory, sleep in peace. He whispers secrets to our heart and allow us to be close to Him in worship. He’s absorbed with our well being and making sure every day EVERYTHING is working for our good. Just passionately in love!

There was an old saint named Sis. Rocket back in my old church who used to shout (rejoice as we now call it). And as she rejoiced she used to shout out, “Who wouldn’t serve a God like this?” Oh, how true!

No matter what you and I go through, if we can remember who He is and how He feels in His heart about us and that He’s the BIGGEST and the BADDEST…we’ll relax a bit and just trust the love!

(Read Hosea:  Book of Love, His search for us, His passionate love toward us. The harlot being sought and loved by the Holy One. )

We’ve prayed for you!

Pastor Wilma Walker

His Way

Good Morning!  God has His best in store for us today!

Be encouraged today and know that His eye is on your every step. No matter where your foot (in life) is positioned, no matter your pace, or leverage – know that more of us are being controlled by Him than we think.  We pray and ask Him to have His way and He does.  The confusion comes (“Lord are you with me?”) because His paths are often not ones we think He would choose. He has truly proven not to be a God that leads His people down the easy road.  Whether it is a desert or a sea, a test that demands we wait years, or a request for a sacrifice unimaginable, we are still in the process of learning “His Way.”  Stay encouraged in your hearts!  Some of you may be on a strange unknown path today, but God is with us…and believe it or not, it will eventually end.

On 53rd Street in Centerville we had to walk every day down this path which we called simply, “The Alley”.  During the warm months it seemed short and fun.  We would be laughing, kicking rocks, and plucking the daisies; however, walking that same direction during the winters was torturous.  Snow blowing in your face – wind pounding your body.  Every once in a while you peek ahead to see how much farther you had to go (which seemed like forever!).  The encouragement was knowing that the path would eventually end.  Our storms in life will too. None of His tough selected paths for us last forever. Whew! Isn’t that good to know? So, just spiritually bundle up and keep striding – Spring is coming!

Psalm 37
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

We’ve Prayed For You.
Pastor Wilma

He’ll Find A Way

Good Morning! Great is the Lord and Who is Liken Unto Him? None in Heaven nor in Earth! Amen?

Everywhere you look, His greatness is seen. Nothing is strong enough to hold back His hand and through every opposition in your life, He’ll find a way. He’ll find a way to get His blessings to you. If need be, He’ll cause elements and conditions around you to be shifted so you’ll be blessed. “By whatever means necessary”, He will take care of His own.

Last weekend I toiled in the back yard pulling weeds from around the pool. It’s impossible to be outside and not be amazed. In the middle of the deck (a deck at least 2 feet thick with solid concrete) grows a small 3 blade stem. Green as ever, full of life, and pushing it’s way through the impossible. Immediately my hearts goes, “Lord, you will always find a way”! Nothing made by man and nothing manuveured by the kingdom of darkness can succeed against us. Though your surroundings may appear concrete and there appears to be
absolutely no way out of some things…please remember … By whatever means necessary He’ll make sure we are pushed through!

Romans 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us?

Stay Encouraged! We have prayed for you.

Pastor Wilma

Provisions Every Day

Good Morning!

Thank God for the coolness of this morning and the provisions of this day. Actually, we should just go ahead and thank Him for the provisions of this LIFETIME! No matter what you see, thank Him for the provisions of your life! He’s worthy of a praise in advance and an echo from your heart that says “Lord, I believe you to be faithful!” He is, you know? You may be in a spiritual drought (searching desperately for God’s answers or His presence) or you may have too much water coming at you and you’re in the midst of a spiritual thunderstorm temporarily blurring your vision; whatever the situation, God loves you and has already set a day for the manifestation of your victory and not your demise. In due time your drought will be refreshed with a spring He provides…or a rainbow in exchange for the storm that passes. Until then, let’s praise our Limitless God for Life and the provisions of every day – TODAY!

Every day the disciples walked with Jesus and they had no
idea where the next meal would come from or where they would
sleep. They did eventually learn that He would provide for
them EVERY day and it would come exactly in the hour needed.

He was so consistent that many people followed Him just to
receive the daily provisions. Remember? And every time
provisions were needed, but a “way” was
impossible,…oops there it was…another miracle! Often we
can’t see how or where, or know when and how, but we can be assured
that He is limitless and when the “ways” run out, God
will just create a miracle for our circumstance. Not just
today, but throughout our lives. Keep Believing – You stay
encouraged!

John 6:31
Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is
written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’

Exodus 16:35
The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a
land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the
border of Canaan.

Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 33:6
“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing
to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy
abundant peace and security.”

“We’ve Prayed For You!”
Pastor Wilma

It’s A God Purposed Week

Good Morning Everybody!

I don’t understand why, but often after prayer I find myself in pictures and memories of my past. This morning I remembered the 250 piece puzzle. Dad and Ma used to buy us toys all year and the day she handed us that box, I knew we would be hovering over that table for hours. My sister and I went at it – like studying a hard game of chess. Time meant nothing – serious, determined and quiet! As hard as I tried, Maloney kept saying out “It won’t go there!” I soon found out that some of the pieces looked like they would fit, some were colored like they would fit and, in frustration, I wanted to make some fit; however, each individual piece absolutely had to fit somewhere specific if we wanted to eventually enjoy this wonderful, colorful, picture on that cardboard box.

If we believe what we read (in His Word) and believe God
is who He says He is,…if we are not deceived and just
dreaming about this whole spiritual thing, but know that The
Creator is alive and watching and attending to the ultimate
plan of this big old world, then today is not “just a
day” and this week is not “just another week”, but a
slot of purpose we are living in. Like a puzzle piece
fitting in its proper place. Positioned like me and Mal, His
eye too is hovering over us today, serious, determined, and
often quiet! Be thankful that you are shaped like you’re
shaped and being maneuvered around by His hand to be
positions ONLY “right there”. It’s encouraging to me
and I pray for you too, to know that eventually the final
picture will appear after His hand is done placing us where
we should be.

Jeremiah 29:11 (King James Version) 11For I know the
thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts
of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end

We’ve prayed for you.
Pastor Wilma

Kiss Him–Love Him

My enemy, your enemy, the devil, is to be continuously
hated…and watched! He is an evil thing…DAILY lurking.
This morning I pray that you remain watchful in your war.
Like an old bitter lover, Satan tries daily to come between
God and you. No doubt he remembers the affection felt
during worship to the Father – the warmth of being so
close…later to be rejected without any possibility of
regaining access to His heart again. He is now sitting afar and
watching bitterly our displayed love and affection with
Christ. This sight is an unimaginable torment to him. He
is worse than an old disgruntled employee, disillusioned by
reality that “nothing will separate us from the love of God”!
Yet trying desperately day after day to separate
us from our Savior. Making every effort to keep us from our
embrace and kiss to the only true and living God, who is
worthy. Draw closer every moment Jesus is on your mind.
Touch Him every time He makes his presence known and freely
kiss Him (in the face of your enemy). Each time I touch God, my
enemy is angered, but I am strengthened.

Every attack from the evil one gives him evil pleasures.
Every attack aims to rip us out of Christ’s arms. Every attack is an
effort to make us turn away, curse God, and break off the
relationship. Even though he knows his days with the Lord
are over, the sight of watching God intimate with another is
unbearable. His rage is increased every time we stand in
faithfulness despite his attacks to “prove God is not as
in love with us as He is!”. In the spirit he grits and
grinds every time we “stay in love” despite his efforts
to discredit God’s faithfulness and commitment to us. We
must know and realize that he will never get over this thing
and will never stop trying to destroy our marriage to the
Lord.

Psalm 89
A maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.
1 I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known
through all generations.
2 I will declare that your love stands firm forever,
that you established your faithfulness in heaven
itself.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen
one, I have sworn to David my servant,
4 ‘I will establish your line forever
and make your throne firm through all
generations.’ ”
Selah
5 The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD,
your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy
ones.

6 For who in the skies above can compare with the LORD ?
Who is like the LORD among the heavenly beings.

We’ve Prayed for You!
Pastor Wilma

Spiritual Tsunami

Good Morning, God’s Chosen!

A few years ago we witnessed, cried and were startled by
the 2004 Tsunami. So many souls were lost. The land was
ripped up like tissue, trees pulled from its roots, and
entire families dragged into the ocean. Cameras captured
as much as they could to give us a glimpse, but to be a part
of such a thing is unimaginable. There were two pictures
that still stick in my mind this morning. One was of a
group of people coming closer to take a look at the growing
waves – the other was of a group of animals walking opposite
the ocean’s edge. It was almost as if the beasts had
heard God say “move to higher ground”. Instead, man
was curious and wanted to watch; not knowing the
inevitable, and dull in his spiritual “hearing”.

Today the earth is rumbling. Like echoing thunder that
cannot be controlled. Many ungodly men (known as the wise)
feel it and fear. They fear because the treasures they value
in the depths of their heart, are merely the temporal riches
of this earth. Stocks fall, retirements sink, markets crash,
and futures are unsure. Those things that once appeared to
be so greatly under control and guaranteed are being shaken
and proven unstable. The unthinkable sinks – like a rip in
the Titanic! This sound – this rumbling may not be a
coming water Tsunami, but is yet still a shifting of the
earth – a course change – an inevitable warning that has
caused man to scramble and scurry. Isn’t it strange how
life often repeats itself? Like the Tsunami, even today
many go towards the sound to watch and see while others are
like the beasts that heard God saying, “move to higher
ground”. In the midst of all this NOISE, God is sweetly
whispering.

He is speaking to those with a spiritual ear and able to
hear “what the Spirit is saying to the Church”.
It’s not a call to the flesh or the human intellect; it is
a call to the spirit! It’s a call to move away from the
cares of this world and make sure your soul is kept on
higher ground where there is safety. It’s His desire
that we will not be swept into the ocean of fear, doubt and
unbelief, but rather that we’ll have our
trust anchored in the Lord our God, who is more than able
to handle all things concerning us. Higher ground is
prayer. Higher ground is faith where His voice whispers
His will.

Stay encouraged. We have prayed for you.
Minister Wilma Walker

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