Posted on 12/23/2005 4:39:24 AM PST by truthandlife
Victoria Osteen, the wife of Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen, said an incident that delayed a Continental Airlines flight for two hours earlier this week was "a minor misunderstanding."
Osteen posted a "Letter from Victoria" on the church's official Web site Wednesday, saying the Monday incident resulted from her choice "to remove myself from the situation."
Osteen left the plane, Continental Flight 1602, with her husband and their two children. The family took another flight to Vail, Colo., where they are taking a ski vacation.
A church spokesman said the family left the plane voluntarily.
However, FBI Special Agent Luz Garcia has said that the Osteens were asked to leave the jetliner after "an altercation."
Garcia also said that Victoria Osteen "failed to comply" with instructions from a flight attendant.
The FBI said the airline contacted the agency about the incident. The agency decided not to investigate.
Continental Airlines spokeswoman Julie King declined any further comment about the incident Thursday.
"There have been various accounts of an incident that occurred on one of our flights, and I have issued earlier statements about that," King said. "We can confirm that there are no remaining issues between Continental and those passengers. ... Both parties feel no further comment is necessary."
King declined to comment on Victoria Osteen's explanation of the incident.
In her letter, which can be read at at www.lakewood.cc, Osteen stated:
"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."
Osteen's letter continued, "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."
The incident apparently stemmed from a spilled liquid on Osteen's seat in the first class section of the airplane. A church spokesman said the spill was not cleaned up to Osteen's satisfaction, and the family left the plane voluntarily.
Joel Osteen is a nationally known author of self-help books, including the best-selling Your Best Life Now. He became pastor of Lakewood Church in 1999. The church, in the former Compaq Center, is one of the nation's largest with more than 30,000 weekly participants in church services.
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.
Oh, I have a feeling they'll be a high price to pay in the end.
Thank you for posting Mrs. Osteen's explanation.
At least she didn't tell them she had a bomb.
Gimme a break! I can't believe you said that!
My wife and I were discussing the situation the other day when it first happened, and she said the media is on the attack as usual and that's the best they can do. If he was like most successful businessmen of any other profession he would be in a private jet. The media can't stand to see Christians being successful in any way.
And then you make a prejudiced statement about him flying first class! Whine! whine! whine! Sound like a stupid dimocrat.
As loose as the Osteens are with the truth when he/she are preaching (check out http://letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm), one has to wonder about anything she/he says.
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."
Corrected link!
As loose as the Osteens are with the truth when he/she are preaching (check out http://letusreason.org/Popteac29.htm ), one has to wonder about anything she/he says.
I agree, these people think they are priviledged and can get away with anything. She should have been arrested!
DONATIONS pay for their obscene lifestyle. One that is TAX EXEMPT to top it all.
I approve of the free market, and if it makes you rich, then good for you. But if you make merchandise of the word of God, you'll answer to him.
I suppose you believe that if Jesus Christ came back today he would fly 1st. class and have a huge television ministry.
He would probably start his own college and an amusement park and fly out to Vail and give loaves and fishes to the skiers.
I dont expect a preacher to live in poverty, I like to think they deserve a comfortable life,still I dont expect them to live like millionaires off donations from the "little people" either.
I think if I belonged to his church I would send my Christmas donation to the Salvation Army.
If there was more to this the media would be slandering this preacher all over the place. For some reason Continental and the FBI aren't saying much. That says a lot.
I can't even afford to fly to Vail so you are richer than I am.
What's prejudiced about pointing out that a minister of the Gospel seems to be raking in enough dough that he can pay double ($1478/RT for First Class versus $743/coach from Houston to Vail) for a 2-and-a-half hour flight? Maybe he can justify the cost by mentioning Jesus to one person on his trip, thereby qualifying it as "business" and allowing him to write the whole thing off.
Excuse my cynicism, but Virgina Osteen's letter just makes things worse. When I'm in a hole, at least I know to stop digging.
I don't begrudge any preacher a good living but I agree that anyone who uses God's money for a lavish lifestyle is doing wrong.
I don't know if this preacher is living a lavish lifestyle or not but flying first class may be a tip off.
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