Wednesday, December 21, 2005
I know that many of you have seen the recent news report on our trip to Colorado. Let me begin by saying that I have received so many of your emails and notes encouraging me and expressing your love and support. Each one of you means so much to me and I love you all dearly.
Regardless of how some have portrayed the situation, please know that it was truly a minor misunderstanding and did not escalate into what you saw or read in the news. Contrary to those reports it was my choice to remove myself from the situation. Nonetheless, it was a most unfortunate event and I truly regret that it happened.
The last thing I would ever want to do is let any of you down. And I promise you that I did not act in any way that would cast a bad light on you, my family, Lakewood Church or our Lord Jesus Christ. I value the position that God has placed me in and I can assure you that I will always walk in love and integrity. While I am not perfect, I will always seek to be a peacemaker and seek the high road.
As many of you have told me, I know that God has me in the palm of His hand. My confidence in God is stronger than ever—and I know that He is faithful to His promises.
Thank you for standing with me and, in spite of what you’ve heard, thank you for believing the best in me. I know that God causes all things to work together for our good— and I truly believe that when faced with adversities we all emerge better and stronger than when we were before.
During this season, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, Joel and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May peace and happiness embrace all of us and may 2006 be your best year ever.
Victoria
heh..with today's reporting standards, that statement is a given.
I have no idea what happened, I just know I picked the wrong career.I sure cant afford a 1st class ticket to Vail much less the costs once I get there. Preaching makes millionaires of some folks.
Thank you for posting Mrs. Osteen's explanation.
At least she didn't tell them she had a bomb.
I guess Joel needs to write his next book on anger management and give Vicki the first copy. You'd think these multi-millionaires could fly to Aspen in a private jet so they wouldn't have to inconvenience the "little people."
I can't conceive of any circumstances under which I would get off a given flight and endure the hassle of taking another, later, flight just because a "liquid" was spilled on my {first class} seat.
I don't know what really happened but I see some clowns here bitching that the Osteens were flying first class and living on donations. That is a job. Many more hours than I want to work each week. Also remember the news **always** gives the Christian the worst possible view and also remember most of the time most of the airlines treat everybody like cattle in cattle drive. Once on a flight from London we were not allowed to get up to go to the restroom. After 4 hours, yeah four hours, I got up and went with 2 of the flight nazis right in my ear telling me to sit down, sit down!!! I was gonna pee somewhere and figured the toilet was as good as any place. When I came out there were 20+ people lined up down the isle. The flight nazis never served another thing for what was left during the rest of the 9 hour flight. If I'm on the jury here I give the Osteens the benefit of the doubt.
That letter says it all. ...and nothing at all. She acted up.
She sounds like a nitwit.
God created people like the Osteens for his own comedic enjoyment.
Actually, the truth is they were on their way to the Miniature Spoon Museum in Branson, Missouri; but good ol' Joel (with magical powers we cannot fathom) just WILLED them to go to Aspen!
Why does he fly first class? I thought he could just think positively and get a 1st class upgrade? Works every time?
That statement is mighty telling. Just what "position" does she think that she has with God?
"During this season, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, Joel and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May peace and happiness embrace all of us and may 2006 be your best year ever.
Victoria
"
I think she left out these paragraphs:
"We're really enjoying out lavish skiing vacation in Colorado. Vail is wonderful in the winter, especially if you're staying in a $2000 per night condo right next to the lifts.
I'm taking advanced ski lessons from the most wonderful instructor, Clint. He's so strong and young. The lessons are very stimulating. Joel seems to be enjoying his lessons, too. Cyndee, his instruction, is also young, but an expert at what she does.
Thanks to all of you for all your donations. This skiing trip will stimulate us both, so we'll be back in the New Year with renewed vigor to resume our ministry. It was your dollars that made this possible."
C'mon. What do normal people do in a situation like that? Answer: they work it out.
I assure you whatever happened they did not leave that plane voluntarily, or if they did she was out of her mind with indignant estrogen. They were almost certainly kicked off.
The truth here is obvious. Victoria made a butt out of herself, Joel suffered through it like many a husband would, and when either she stomped off or they asked them to deplane he was relieved.
bump
should we? 8^)
You would think anyone would be just a little bit upset if their seat was wet on a thousand mile flight. Question is, how did the seat get wet? Was some airline employee expressing themselves?