Who is your family?

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JesusChica1991

JesusChica1991

Banned
#1
May 9, 2012
1,514
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0
#1
I am forming this thread out of curiosity that stirred from one of my former textbooks that I have started to read since I had no time to read in school. Ironic, eh? The book is in the context of family ministry but the first section of the book addresses the evolving definition of family and how the context of the household has changed throughout time. Let me begin with answering my own question. I consider some of my immediate blood relatives my family such as my baby sister and my father. There are reasons why I do not address all my relatives as family but that will not be discussed in this thread as that is not the purpose of this post. There are grounds for me to consider people my "family" whether biological relatives or not. For example, I would consider my best friend since 2005 my family over 2nd cousins since I barely see them and there are just too many to keep count of in the first place. I consider some of the CC members here as part of my family. Of course, I also choose to bring up my church family which I have grown up with since 2004. These are the people I not only know by mere appearance on Sundays or by relations through the blood of Christ. These are the people I choose to commune with on Sunday morning. This stirs up thoughts as to what people you may consider YOUR family. So, in short: What is your definition of "family"? Second, what standards must they meet to be called your "family"?
 
N

NewWine

Guest
#3
#3
Okay (ready or not) my immediate family is my husband, 3 daughters, my dad, hub's mom and our brothers along with their families (totaling 21 including our deceased parents). My mom and his dad passed away years ago, but they are part of our family too. I have 46 aunts and uncle (counting married spouses) and 67 first cousins...all of whom I know by name, age and birth dates or at least birth months. My best girl friends I count as family number 4, and my second cousins and beyond, most of whom I know by name and approximate ages (we total over 500 in all) are what I consider my extended family.
I know without a doubt, that no matter how angry they get with me, and I with them, I can ALWAYS count on them for help when I am in need. Even though we outnumber some small towns, we are a tightly knit clan. We may get angry and want to fight each other sometimes, but we'd always fight FOR each other!
I have an AMAZING family, don't ya think? ;)
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#4
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#4
I think there are groups of families:

The family you were born into.
If married, the family you started with your spouse.
A spiritual family. (other Christians)
A group of friends who are always there for you.

My definition for family would be a special group that has a special bonding/closeness with you.
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#5
#5
I agree not all blood family is family. I guess the definition of family is a family of choice.
So yes:
1. My immediate family, husband, sons, parents, brother, uncle and niece's I would consider family.
2. There are about a dozen here I would now consider to be family.
3. Some facebook friends - mainly Christians.
4. About 1/3 of my church I would consider family.
I think that's it!
 
Brainfreeze

Brainfreeze

Banned
#6
Sep 30, 2014
2,329
102
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#6
I would consider everyone that accepts Jesus is (love) and as their Savior is part of my family,.
My immediate blood is family, might not like some of their ways but love them still as family.
and hope to help them get to where I am with Christ, and God helps with that, on His time.
My real friends, not the fake ones I had a lot of through life.
and pets,
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#7
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
271
83
#7
And then there is the "Chat" family. The dynamics are so very much like a real family. We don't always agree, yet we still hang together. Sometimes it seems like we even "yell" at each other - ah, but at other times, we comfort, encourage and weep for each other.

We "like" each other, and even give out medals like "rep points". We share our interests and ask for help. Someone is on call 24/7 all the time.

What is happening to me? I am actually getting feelings for you.....
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#8
Jan 24, 2011
11,782
2,947
113
#8
My family is my husband, our 4 children and their spouses, and my grandchildren. While I love my church family, I have found those relationships don't seem to last when you change churches or move. Sad, but true!

I do have many good friends on-line, but compared to real people, it is not the same. Not because they aren't all good people, but just because the miles mean I can't bring them a meal when they are sick, and they cannot minster to me in times of need.

I may be old fashioned, but family means those who are involved in my life, and always will be!
 
Brainfreeze

Brainfreeze

Banned
#9
Sep 30, 2014
2,329
102
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#9
Angela53510 said:
My family is my husband, our 4 children and their spouses, and my grandchildren. While I love my church family, I have found those relationships don't seem to last when you change churches or move. Sad, but true!

I do have many good friends on-line, but compared to real people, it is not the same. Not because they aren't all good people, but just because the miles mean I can't bring them a meal when they are sick, and they cannot minster to me in times of need.

I may be old fashioned, but family means those who are involved in my life, and always will be!
Click to expand...
are you saying the people here, aren't real? What are they robots ? Sure they can send you things when your sick, sure you can call them... Their real! Kind of insulting to say they're not, but I love you anyway, maybe it's time you build some relations with others " on-line " I'm meeting people all over the world here, in the name of Jesus and I love it. :)
 
T

tenderhearted

Guest
#10
#10
I agree with Angela, family are people who are involved in a person's life. I use to be part of a small group from my church, but when I had surgery and was going through some deep issues, they were not there. In fact some had no compassion and just judged me. My husband and 3 kids are my family. I'm not close to my extended blood relatives, but I consider them family. I don't like to throw the word family around if I don't know a person or aren't involved in their lives like some people do-- that's my personal preference.
 
Brainfreeze

Brainfreeze

Banned
#11
Sep 30, 2014
2,329
102
0
#11
Sites like this, changes lives...... Period. If you don't love like God would want you to, it's your will, you do as you like with it. The ones that do get to pass through the pearly gates though, all family, unity, harmony, all in one accord in Christ, so if your just posting to say you don't really care for anyone in a Christian Forum, that's just not right, I post because I care about everyone, on or offline, I will risk my life to save anyone of you stuck in a burning car, could care less if it be my son, or yours
I'm going! ...just saying and I hope y'all do get to meet some of the nicest people on here to change your mind, I find the thoughts of others that care are absolutely beautiful people, I already have people here that would do whatever they can to help me, haven't been here but a few weeks, some of you been here years, and feel this way... Well if none of them told you, which I'm sure a few have,
I love you,
 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#12
Aug 28, 2012
19,215
2,551
113
#12
Everyone here in cc is my family, I have a person on here who is like a mother to me and a person on here who I look up to as the dad i never had and i have many brothers and sisters.
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#13
Jan 24, 2011
11,782
2,947
113
#13
Brainfreeze said:
are you saying the people here, aren't real? What are they robots ? Sure they can send you things when your sick, sure you can call them... Their real! Kind of insulting to say they're not, but I love you anyway, maybe it's time you build some relations with others " on-line " I'm meeting people all over the world here, in the name of Jesus and I love it. :)
Click to expand...
Sorry, I should have said real LIFE people. I've been through a lot physically the last few years. My church family has helped, my on-line friends show sympathy, but my blood family are the ones who are there for me day after day, year after year. I just broke my wrist badly in the summer. My on-line friends gave me sympathy, but my husband was the one who cut my food, poured my milk, helped me wash my hair, and held me when the pain was bad! He is still helping me and caring for me in a way that only family can do who you love and trust forever.

I am also blessed to have 4 wonderful children that love and care for me. They will always do this, whether I move far away or I am close. It is so easy to lose track of even good Christian friends n our society,but real family will always be there from cradle to grave. Just like although my mother and MIL are senile, they are still family, even when they don't remember us.

Really, this whole discussion is ironical. In the days before social media, no one would have considered anyone to be family, unless they were related to them, even if they didn't like or get along with them. Perhaps the definition of family is changing, or maybe we need a new word to describe relationships which are conducted over the internet. The sociology of media has an interesting future.
 
B

BelovedI

Guest
#16
#16
I agree with God on it. My favorite answer.
 
B

BelovedI

Guest
#17
#17
I have concerns about social media in some ways.
Our relationships in friendshipss on line are add friend with a click of a button.
But we are to be cautious in friendships according to theBible.
So how arechildren learning to do this if growing up on social media,let alone older people young in the Lord?
I hope we will still value taking the good advice in Proverbs.
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#18
#18
Brainfreeze said:
Sites like this, changes lives...... Period. If you don't love like God would want you to, it's your will, you do as you like with it. The ones that do get to pass through the pearly gates though, all family, unity, harmony, all in one accord in Christ, so if your just posting to say you don't really care for anyone in a Christian Forum, that's just not right, I post because I care about everyone, on or offline, I will risk my life to save anyone of you stuck in a burning car, could care less if it be my son, or yours
I'm going! ...just saying and I hope y'all do get to meet some of the nicest people on here to change your mind, I find the thoughts of others that care are absolutely beautiful people, I already have people here that would do whatever they can to help me, haven't been here but a few weeks, some of you been here years, and feel this way... Well if none of them told you, which I'm sure a few have,
I love you,
Click to expand...
It doesn't really matter who we think of as family, God will ultimately choose who is and isn't. For now we may only be friends here on CC but in Heaven we WILL be united as family. Eternity is more important than the here and now.We must pray for out unsaved family members who are yet to confirm their place with us in Heaven.
 
Brainfreeze

Brainfreeze

Banned
#19
Sep 30, 2014
2,329
102
0
#19
MadParrotWoman said:
It doesn't really matter who we think of as family, God will ultimately choose who is and isn't. For now we may only be friends here on CC but in Heaven we WILL be united as family. Eternity is more important than the here and now.We must pray for out unsaved family members who are yet to confirm their place with us in Heaven.
Click to expand...
Well sister, I see anyone dedicated on a christian chat as family because that's what God wants you focused on, Him,
so I can only assume, He knows, I claim my life to be His though, therefore I see myself and others like you going to heaven, and treat you according to that, maybe I should realize some on a christian chat, are just babies, and don't understand this love I discuss that God has for us, it's foreign, strange, to some, not me, makes complete sense to me.
As for immediate family, some of them I can't even call sisters in Christ, their falling for the world, and what man thinks of them, like most do, can't blame them, they've been fooled, can only pray God wakes them up, and live by example,
but if my love for fellow christians seems weird or foreign to some, I'm sorry, further your relationship with Jesus and you will get to that peace where you can love everyone like that. God said one of the greatest commandments is love thy neighbor as thy self, and I'm not sorry for loving me or you madparrotwomen :)
 
M

MadParrotWoman

Guest
#20
#20
Brainfreeze said:
Well sister, I see anyone dedicated on a christian chat as family because that's what God wants you focused on, Him,
so I can only assume, He knows, I claim my life to be His though, therefore I see myself and others like you going to heaven, and treat you according to that, maybe I should realize some on a christian chat, are just babies, and don't understand this love I discuss that God has for us, it's foreign, strange, to some, not me, makes complete sense to me.
As for immediate family, some of them I can't even call sisters in Christ, their falling for the world, and what man thinks of them, like most do, can't blame them, they've been fooled, can only pray God wakes them up, and live by example,
but if my love for fellow christians seems weird or foreign to some, I'm sorry, further your relationship with Jesus and you will get to that peace where you can love everyone like that. God said one of the greatest commandments is love thy neighbor as thy self, and I'm not sorry for loving me or you madparrotwomen :)
Click to expand...
My sentiments exactly, I am still awe struck by this love I have inside me for my brothers and sisters in the Lord - and people in general, I never was this way. It is the God given love of Jesus that has made me this way and also an emotional wreck. We are changed from the inside and tbh I'm not sorry I'm no longer the old MPW lol
 
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