Daily Thunder Podcast

In this episode Eric explores the unique enthusiasm and passion that missionaries of the past have had for heading out into the wild and doing difficult life-threatening things—things that cause the modern North-American Christian to shrink back in fear. Is it possible for each of us as believers today to have the same excitement—the same daring—the same readiness in us?

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discip...

Time is running out and life is short. In this message from Ephesians 5:15–16, we examine Paul's reason for why we, as Christians, are called to live circumspect ("walk carefully") and be wise (rather than foolish) in how we live. Paul says we are to redeem the time because the days are short. Join Nathan as we talk about the importance of redeeming the time, what that means practical for our lives, and why it's a blessing to know that time is short.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Les...

In this episode Eric explores the concept of being spiritually readied and toughened by the Spirit of God for the calling that each of us as believers has received. A Christian has been supplied everything necessary to be fully prepared to face all the challenges ahead — the question is, does the Christian know that?

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/

» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking...

We continue our study in Ephesians 5:15–16 examining the "ways of the wise." Contrasted with the "fool" and "unwise," Paul exhorts us to live in wisdom. In this study, Nathan talks about what Scripture says about wisdom, how we can continually live in wisdom, and how that practically changes our spiritual lives day-to-day.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/

» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficul...

In this episode Eric dives into the strange and perplexing concept of spiritual taste buds. When we enter the Kingdom of Heaven via faith in Jesus Christ, there is a process of being recalibrated in our desires, our drives, and our determinations. In a sense, God gives us new taste buds to appreciate the exquisite feast He has prepared for us — a feast that we would not appreciate or be able to stomach outside His supernatural enablement.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at Ell...

In Ephesians 5:15–16, Paul delivers a sobering warning to believers: look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. But what does it actually mean to live as “unwise” (a fool) according to Scripture?

In this study, we examine what the Bible says about foolishness and uncover four key features that mark the life of a fool. If you’re convinced you don’t have any foolishness within you, take heed, as that is typically the first sign of foolishness; so let this message help you honestly evaluate whether yo...

This episode lays the foundation for this gritty and soul-stirring series. God providentially builds His men and women for the key swings in history — the key moments in the grand story. However, God doesn’t just build His heroes to share the Gospel Truth—He also prepares the lost to respond to the Gospel Truth. Buckle your seat belt. This is going to be a powerful series!

What would it look like if we were always ready for the greatest difficulties and trials? What if, as Christians, we handled impossible situations with a smile and readiness to triumph?

In this episode, Eric and Nathan talk about being "10G Ready" and how it should be the result of our position in Christ Jesus.

Please note: we will be taking a couple weeks off from Daily Thunder as we prep our new series which start the middle of February.

» Discover more about Ellerslie 2.0 and see "behind the scenes" as we build out t...

In this episode, Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson discuss the ancient concept of a hobelar, why it is so important for the days in which we live, and why Ellerslie 2.0 desires to build a group of men and women who will function as hobelars in their world. If you desire for God to use you to make an impact in this world, this episode will give you a great encouragement and sparks some ideas of how to take a step forward.

» Discover more about Ellerslie 2.0 and see "behind the scenes" as we build out the information and d...

The Trojan Horse is the iconic concept that you can sneak something in that eventually kills and destroys. While he doesn't use the term, the writer Jude talks about men sneaking into the church and causing a distortion of the Gospel and a division of the Body of Christ.

In this episode, Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson discuss the book of Jude, the concept of the Trojan Horse as it relates to the modern church and what this means for Ellerslie 2.0. In short, Ellerslie's desire is to build up men and women who stand strong, contend for...

As the book of Jonah comes to a close, the climax of Jonah’s rebellion against God is confronted by a question and an interactive object lesson. God uses Jonah’s glee and anger over a plant to show why it’s important for Him to have mercy on the city of Nineveh. In this final study of the series, we examine the profundity of the poisonous plant and scarlet worm, why the book ends with the word “many cows,” and are personally confronted in our own lives with the central questions of the book.

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» Take t...

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we enter the beginning of 2026, we decided to do an encore of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

Inured for Danger (Eric Ludy)

Originally recorded in 2021 as a part of his series Daring to Do as Stanley Dale, Eric draws on the boldness and bravery of the fearless missionary ventures to Irian Jaya...

Everything in the book of Jonah has been swimming toward this end: the reason why Jonah attempted to flee to Tarshish, why he resisted going to Nineveh, and now why he is angry at God. And the reason may surprise you … Jonah is frustrated that God is too good, too merciful, too loving.

In this study, we examine Jonah 4:1–4 and Jonah’s anger, the reason behind it, and what it all means for our lives today.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Elle...

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we approach the end of 2025, we decided to do an encore of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

Peaceful Intimacy (Nathan Johnson)

Originally recorded in 2021 as a part of his series The Christian Mindset from Philippians 4:4–9, we are taking the first two episodes to review what we’ve covered thus far. In this epis...

A bonus Christmas greeting from Eric. Since episode 1325 had a serious audio problem, Eric decided to jump in front of the mic one more time before Christmas and dish out some extra Holiday cheer. May the coming, the working, the dying, the rising, and the ruling of our Lord Jesus be deeply cherished by us all this Christmas season!

In this special Christmas reflection, Eric and Nathan briefly talk about their plans, how they approach a new year, and what they are most excited for in 2026.

Please know that we are taking a couple weeks off to rest with family, and we will resume our Daily Thunder series on January 12, 2026.

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Exciting Specials

We love talking about the concepts of Clapham and Cambridge and how the body of Christ can work together.

In this special episode, Eric and Nathan talk about these terms, where they come from, and why they are so important to our vision of Ellerslie 2.0.

» Discover more about Ellerslie 2.0 and see "behind the scenes" as we build out the information and details in the coming weeks.

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Exciting Specials

The entire book of Jonah hinges upon a single concept: God’s mercy. The Hebrew word hesed (chesed) is at the focal point of Jonah, and if we miss the depth and importance of this concept, we will miss why Jonah is so rebellious to preach to Nineveh.

In this study, Nathan walks through Scripture discussing the mercy and lovingkindness of God, why this attribute is at the heart of God, and what it means for our lives today.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and...

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we approach the end of 2025, we decided to do an encore of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

Going After More (Leslie Ludy)

Originally recorded in 2023 as a part of her series Victorious Living, Leslie explores what it means to remove our “safety cones” of self-protection and self-justification, and pour out everything for the gl...

If you survey the modern church, you will quickly find that we are fractured into our denominations and often dogmatic about secondary issues. Yet we are told that the church is to be one body—unified in Christ Jesus.

In this episode, Eric and Nathan discuss the difficulty of denominationalism and the danger of dogmatism … and how they see a way forward where the Church walks in truth, unity, and unrelenting in its focus and proclamation of Christ Jesus.

» Discover more about Ellerslie 2.0 and see "behind the scenes" as we build out the information and detai...

The greatest revival recorded in Scripture is found in Jonah 3—the entire city of Nineveh repents and turns to God.

In this study, we examine Jonah’s second commission, the response of Nineveh, God’s mercy to Nineveh’s repentance, and conclude with five practical thoughts for what it means for us today. This is the heart and climax of what God wanted Jonah to do, and the outcome was far more than anyone could have expected.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at E...

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we approach the end of 2025, we decided to do an encore of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

I Work at Starbucks (Eric Ludy)

Originally recorded in 2024 as a part of his series Spiritual Lessons from the Time of Nero, Eric lays the foundation for understanding this extraordinary time period of history (from 64...

To use a space analogy, most Christian education programs "orbit" far out into space, exploring the outer reaches of knowledge. But our heart is to keep our orbit tight around a central focus: Jesus Christ.

In this episode, Eric and Nathan talk about the basic structure of Ellerslie 2.0 content, why the orbiting language is helpful, and what makes Ellerslie 2.0 different than the typical seminary program.

» Discover more about Ellerslie 2.0 and see "behind the scenes" as we build out the information and details in the coming weeks.

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Exciting Specials

Let’s talk about the fish. While this tends to be everyone’s focus in the book of Jonah, the richness of the message is not about the fish but what happens from within the belly of that beast. In this study, we examine Jonah 2:1–10 and specifically talk about what Nathan calls the “positive parenthetical poetry of praise” (i.e., Jonah’s prayer). And while he does (finally) talk about the fish, Nathan’s emphasis is more on Jonah’s prayer and a key practical lesson for our lives we discover from it.

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we approach the end of 2025, we decided to do an encore of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

Naming Idols (Nathan Johnson)

Originally recorded in 2022 as a part of his series Soul Drift … Idolatry doesn’t have to be a mysterious, abstract, or elusive concept. Scripture makes it clear what idols are and if w...

One of Ellerslie's passions since the beginning is what we call the "return of majesty." We have a longing to see the majesty of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, and God's Word return to the stage of time once again.

In this episode, Eric and Nathan talk about the return of majesty, how it applies to the Ellerslie 2.0 program, and announce several new details about the program.

» Discover more about Ellerslie 2.0 and see "behind the scenes" as we build out the information and details in the coming weeks.

» Listen to Eric's original "return of ma...

Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying that God does not let His children sin successfully. As Jonah flees from the command and commission of God, we see the pursuit of God’s mercy upon Jonah through difficulty, trial, and hardship. As the storm rages and the sailors are about to die, the unexpected occurs, everything turns upside down, and God’s mercy is seen even on a grander scale.

In this study from Jonah 1:4–17, we examine Jonah’s flee to Tarshish, the great storm he experienced, and the wondrous mercy God had upon both Jonah and on the paga...

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we approach the end of 2025, we decided to do an encore of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

The Pursuit of Guthrum (Eric Ludy)

Originally recorded in 2021 as a part of his series Spiritual Lessons from Alfred the Great, Eric continues to unpack the remarkable story of Alfred and his battles with the...

Before Brother Andrew died, he made the declaration that if he was going to live his life over again, he would have lived "more radical." This statement has become a stirring summary of what we desire our Ellerslie 2.0 program to look like. In this episode, Eric and Nathan talk about Brother Andrew, what it means to be more radical, and discuss why this concept is helpful as we unpack Ellerslie 2.0. We are updating our Ellerslie 2.0 program page, where you can find more details about the forthcoming program, by going to: https://ellerslie.com/ellerslie2/

God is passionately pursuing the world with the transforming truth of the Gospel. In this study of Jonah 1:1–3, we look at God’s commission to Jonah, his rebellion and attempt to flee, and two key reasons behind why Jonah refused to go to Nineveh.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/

» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we approach the end of 2025, we decided to do an encore of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

El Shaddai – God Almighty (Nathan Johnson)

Originally recorded in 2023 as a part of his series Behold Our God … There is a twofold profundity with God’s name El Shaddai (God Almighty) – it points to His overpower...

Ellerslie is excited to begin to roll out "Ellerslie 2.0" in the coming months (God willing). In the first episode of this special series, Eric and Nathan get together to talk back through the old journal entires of how Ellerslie began, what has transpired over the last sixteen years, and the beginning burden and passion behind 2.0.

» Discover more about Ellerslie 2.0 and see "behind the scenes" as we build out the information and details in the coming weeks.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at...

Something's fishy … and it's not the book of Jonah.

When most people think of Jonah, they picture a fish. Yet the fish appears in only three verses of this profound prophetic book. So if Jonah isn't really about a fish, what's it about? What many dismiss as a children's story is actually a masterfully crafted account meant to pierce our hearts, expose our prejudices, and radically transform our lives.

In this verse-by-verse study, we'll discover that Jonah is a book about the Living God who relentlessly pursues the lost, even when His own people would pr...

Something's fishy … and it's not the book of Jonah.

When most people think of Jonah, they picture a fish. Yet the fish appears in only three verses of this profound prophetic book. So if Jonah isn't really about a fish, what's it about? What many dismiss as a children's story is actually a masterfully crafted account meant to pierce our hearts, expose our prejudices, and radically transform our lives.

In this verse-by-verse study, we'll discover that Jonah is a book about the Living God who relentlessly pursues the lost, even when His own people would pr...

Encore: a repeated performance.

As we approach the end of 2025, we decided to do an encore performance of eight episodes from the past six years. With a new intro for each episode recorded by Eric Ludy and Nathan Johnson, we hope these encores will stir your soul toward Jesus and introduce you to previous series that you can explore.

A Bully Buffalo Hunt (Eric Ludy)

Originally recorded in 2023 as a part of his series Life and Leadership Lessons from Teddy Roosevelt, Eric takes us on a buffalo hunt in the wild west with...

We recently finished our summer/fall season of Daily Thunder with two incredible series: Eric focused on Spiritual Lessons from the Wright Brothers and Nathan did a study on the Awful Fear of the Lord.

In this special episode, Eric and Nathan quickly debrief the past series and talk about the three series that launch mid-November.

Please note: the audio quality was having issues, we apologize for the inconvenience.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our...

In this concluding message of our series on the awful fear of the Lord, we bring together the key truths we've explored and discover how holy fear transforms every aspect of Christian life. In this study, Nathan tackles several practical questions like: How can we increase our fear of the Lord? What do we do when we struggle to relate to God with fear? How does holy fear help us overcome persistent sin? And why is it impossible to live the Christian life without this foundational attribute? Whether you're battling sin, seeking deeper intimacy with God, or simply wanting...

This message puts the punctuation on the entire series. As the final episode, it brings the entire storyline in for a beautiful landing (pun intended). We follow Wilbur Wright to New York City and his final public flight. It is there that we are freshly stirred to remember that--since we never know when our last flight is going to be flown--we should fly every flight with all the gusto we possess, believing it may very well be our final one.

Throughout Christian history, the greatest longing of the believer has always been to go home to be with Jesus. As the Apostle Paul said, “to live is Christ, but to die is gain.” The world is unable to look at death as gain, but the Christian does. This message parallels the Homecoming welcome of the Wright brothers in Dayton, Ohio in 1909 with our future homecoming in Heaven. It’s a beautiful meditation that is sure to move and inspire.

Throughout Scripture, knowing God’s ways and fearing Him are inseparable. If you do not have a holy fear and live in humility, you will not understand or be able to walk in His ways. And yet, like the Israelites of old, it is possible to be close to God and yet never experience Him. The Psalmist wrote that God “made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel” (Psalm 103:7)—the Israelites saw God’s works but Moses knew His ways. In this study, Nathan explores that key difference, what it means to know the ways of Go...