Daily Thunder Podcast

As Paul comes to a conclusion, he gives a final benediction and blessing for those who live and think according to His exhortation of Philippians 4:4-9. This blessing is nothing less than God’s promise to be with us. In this final message on the Christian mindset, Nathan Johnson expounds on Paul’s statement that “the God of peace will be with you” and gives three incredible realities of...

This is the twentieth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he explores the manly initiative of the King of Wessex to lead as the “first to suffer the difficulty”, the “first to attempt the challenge”, and the “first to change from the old ways”.  This exemplary pattern of leadership...

This is the nineteenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he delves into the astounding drive of Alfred to re-introduce literacy and Biblical learning back to his nation. And to accomplish this amazing feat, he, himself, needed to learn to read. 

We are to be unlike the world around us—though we live in the world, we are not to be of the world. As Paul concludes his argument in Philippians 4:9, he declares “look at my life and watch how this is put into practice!” In this episode, Nathan exposes Paul’s heart from the passage and exhorts each of us to live lives worthy to be imitated.

This is the eighteenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he brings a woman into the series for the first time —Alfred’s first born, Æthelflæd. The beautiful young Æthelflæd becomes an incredible picture of love, grace, and self-sacrificing care as she is called on to play a very special ro...

While God is the only one who is truly worthy of praise, it is fascinating that the word “praiseworthy” in Philippians 4:8 is used for both God and people. In this study, Nathan Johnson explores the biblical concept of praiseworthy and gives eight practical thoughts for how we can live lives of praise.

This is the seventeenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he zooms in on a particular event in the year 885 when a new wave of Viking evil crashes up against Alfred’s newly built Burh defenses in Rochester.  It’s the ultimate test to determine if all of his effort to fortify the...

Our culture is obsessed with "excellent" things—people, sports ability, careers, etc—but biblically, there is only one thing that is truly "excellent." In this study of Philippians 4:8, Nathan Johnson talks about things culture deems as excellent and shows how the only truly excellent thing is Jesus Himself—and also discusses three ways to fill up your mind with "whatever is excellent."

This is the sixteenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this special edition Daily Thunder message, he is welcoming the newly arriving students for the summer 2021 Alumni Summit and finding an excuse to share some profound tidbits about Alfred the Great simultaneously.  This particular episode introduce...

This is the fifteenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he unpacks the unusual way that Alfred handles the season of reprieve from battle that follows his extraordinary victory over the Vikings at Edington.  He doesn’t spend it enjoying the lovely Wessex summer, but he rolls up h...

According to Paul, our minds are to have a “good reputation.” While many of us would fear if someone could see our thoughts for 24 hours, a Christian’s mind is to be full of honor and godliness. In this episode, Nathan examines the concept of “commendable” in Philippians 4:8 and four examples the Bible gives for such a thought life.

This is the fourteenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he explores the gift-giving prerogative of a king. The generosity of the Saxon kings of Alfred’s era is a fascinating study in itself, but the generosity of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings is even more astounding.  Christ h...

"This study was not at all what I was expecting” was heard from Nathan’s mouth as he dived into what Paul calls “lovely.” As Christians, we often diminish or de-spiritualize anything that is delightful or pleasurable, yet Paul says that such things should be in our minds and filling up our lives. In this study from Philippians 4:8, Nathan explains three key areas that are lovely and why we should...

This is the thirteenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode two unexpected and amazing things are going to enter the already-exciting storyline. First, Guthrum, the evil king of the Vikings is going to have a shocking end to his life — a death that students of history have deeply pondered and...

This is the twelfth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he continues to unpack the remarkable story of Alfred and his battles with the evil Viking king Guthrum. May 6, 878 the tide is going to turn in the dramatic storyline. The Battle of Edington marks a new beginning in the history of Alfr...

Purity is not a popular term these days. In a culture where “anything goes,” Christians are called to live set-apart, holiness, pure lives. Yet how can live pure in an impure world? In this episode, Nathan Johnson focuses on Paul’s call to purity in Philippians 4:8 and explains how this should not only affect every area of our lives but is only possible when we focus on Jesus and fill our minds wi...

This is the eleventh episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he explores what is possibly the most amazing feat of Alfred’s life. He is going to flip the script on the Vikings in the spring of 878. They have always been the hunters, but now he is going to start hunting them. They have always bee...

Biblically, justice is not based on preference or perspective, but upon God’s righteous character and Word. In Paul’s exhortation to the Church to “think on these things” in Philippians 4:8, he calls us to dwell upon that which is right (or just). In this episode, Nathan Johnson examines the concept of righteousness and justice and gives five practical ways to not only think about that which is ju...

This is the tenth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he explores how men are built in the difficult place. Time and again throughout history men are both proven and made by rising up in the midst of falling circumstances. When a man deliberately chooses to aggressively agree with God t...

This is the ninth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he explores the spiritual mystery of how “increased need” equates to “increased grace”. In fact, the greater the need we face, the more we are able to witness the power and grace of God at work in our lives. In 876, Alfred found hims...

Honor is greatly misunderstood in today’s culture. Yet Paul commands us to fill up our minds with that which is honorable. As Christians, how can we understand what “honorable” is and how do we keep a guard upon our mind that reflects this quality? In this episode, Nathan Johnson tackles this complex Greek word and describes three ways in which our minds can be honorable and noble no matter what g...

This is the eighth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he examines the significance of covenantal pledges in the ninth century and how that played a prominent role in the storyline of Alfred. The seemingly inordinate value place upon the ideal of integrity in the Kingdom of Wessex is a...

Paul’s command to think on that which is true is far more than something factual or informational—He refers to embracing the Person of Jesus and being filled up with the Word of God. In this episode, Nathan Johnson examines Paul’s first command of things to think upon and discovers that truth is twofold, it expels all lies, and transforms our personal experience and reality.

This is the seventh episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he dives into the way of Anglo-Saxon kings with their men. In 871 Alfred is going to become King of Wessex. And as a king, more than anything, he desires to walk out his kingship with his loyal thegns by his side. The extraordinary...

This is the sixth episode in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series drawing on the legendary life of Alfred the Great. In this particular episode he explores the first encounters Alfred shares with the legendary Vikings and how that parallels our first steps forward against our own terrifying territorial invader, known as Sin. Alfred is going to have a rough beginning and then he is going to...