Called to Marriage

Does a person’s sex life diminish and become boring and dry once he/she gets married? What can you expect your sex life to look like once you start your married life? On this episode of Called to Marriage, we discuss what we’ve discovered over the past four years concerning sex. The reality of sex within marriage is not as grim as it is sometimes portrayed to be! CALLED TO MARRIAGE PODCAST: https:...

I reflect on how when we look back to the past, we're able to make sense of many things that we were blind to.  One of the lessons I take away from this realization is that I need to be humble. I figured the more I grow, the more I'm able to recognize and sincerely appreciate the fact that I'm not as wise as I thought.   Someday, I may look back to myself at this very moment I'm typing t...

In-law relationships can be tough to navigate! On this episode, we draw out the good qualities that our in-laws have which others can adopt for the benefit of everyone. We also caution against some notoriously shady in-law behaviors! Finally, we thank God that in Him we find wisdom for every relationship and circumstance.

   Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb; When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!’ -Job 38:8-11 Boundaries are very important. Even God sets boundaries. Why do we then have so muc...

 What does it mean to have security in marriage? And what does it mean for a man to protect his wife? On this episode, we discuss the importance of having a level of commitment that endures even when your spouse isn't doing the right thing. We give some examples of things that cause insecurity in marriage and how commitment to God and our marriage causes us to be willing to work through things tha...

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4   Have you ever realized something about yourself that you were oblivious to prior? On this episode, we discuss the insidious nature of self-centeredness.

What does it take to have a stay-at-home parent in the house? On this episode, we talk about establishing our values as parents and the associated costs and benefits that come with our decisions. We also declare our thanks to God and trust in God to help us carry out the vision for our family.

Oh give thanks unto the Lord, His mercy endures forever!  What was it like to experience the thing that many in this season dread? Having survived by the grace of God, we chronicle our experience with Covid-19. With words of encouragement from Scripture, we affirm that we will not fear, and we look to God for help and with a spirit of thanksgiving for His healing power and His love and care t...

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5   On this episode of Called to Marriage, we talk about our experience and insights nine weeks into the postpartum journey. We also discuss our experience learning to be parents and navigating decision-making in regards to our child. Lastly, Charlie makes hi...

   "A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish for joy that a human being has been born into the world." -John 16:21 On this episode of Called to Marriage, we talk about working through all the ups and downs of our pregnancy, including food aversions, baby movements, and all the emotions...

"There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the Lord's counsel- that will stand." - Proverbs 19:21 In this episode we recount our decision and planning to have a child. We also talk about looking forward to being first time parents and the responsibilities that come with that.

 At the time of recording this, we were closer than ever to leaving China indefinitely! We were moving back to the States, but before leaving, we wanted to reflect on the process a bit more. Here is Part 2 of the topic, "Leaving China after 4 years." We talked about seeing God at work in the midst of an uncertain time, and we pray you will be encouraged and have hope after listening.

The countdown begins! After four blessed and exciting years in China, we are moving to the United States. As we close one chapter and begin another, we reflect on what we'll miss about China and what we look forward to in the U.S.

In this time of global lockdown, people are spending time with family whom they live with, or perhaps reaching out to loved ones distant from them. But how important is it to stay unified with your family? And what are some of the roadblocks to family unity? On this episode, we explore these topics and highlight the value of the family unit in society.

Just because you had a Christian upbringing doesn't mean you automatically become a Christian yourself. Faith is personal, and on this episode, we talk about the transition from being guided as young people to having our own personal faith and relationship with God.

 How did your parents both intentionally and unconsciously raise you in Christian faith in your formative years? We are exploring this question as we reflect on what we feel was the most important gift our parents have given us: fear and knowledge of the Lord, leading to faith in the gospel, and our salvation in Christ.

What friendships do you consider dear to you, and why? We're discussing our oldest and closest friends, and the roles they have played in our lives.

 How do we spend time together, both intentionally and unintentionally? We are getting real about what spending time together looks like in our marriage.

Should we have achieved complete independence and success before getting married? We're discussing the humble beginning of our relationship, and how we've been able to embrace it and see advantages of building success together.

Since we are living in China, the origin country of the Coronavirus, we thought we'd give a personal update on what it's been like for us since the outbreak. Our thoughts may surprise you!

 What's the food like here in China, from our perspective? And how do we eat while we're here? We answer that and more on today's episode.

How in the world did Thomas end up in China? Let's hear his account of the series of events that led him to becoming a civil engineering student in Changchun, China.

How in the world did Marcia end up in China? Let's hear her recount how she ended up becoming an English teacher in Changchun. As well, she covers what her experience has been like as a university English teacher the past few years in China.