Daily Thunder Podcast

While decorum is not a word we typically use today, it is an important concept for how we behave. In President Trump’s State of the Union last week, Mike Johnson removed a member of Congress for a lack of decorum. In this episode, Eric and Nathan talk about decorum, define what it is and discuss how there has been a lack of decorum in our socio-political world, and why it is so important to have i...

Eric and Leslie never expected to be standing on a stage speaking. But thirty years later, after speaking to multiple hundreds of thousands in multiple hundreds of venues, they’ve kind of accepted public speaking as a somewhat normal activity now. This particular episode dives into the Ludy’s unique experience of becoming unwitting communicators. ------------ »  Take these studies deeper &nbs...

In contrast to the maturity and growth we as Christians are to have in Christ Jesus, Paul warns believers that they should not be immature, unstable, and gullible. In this message from Ephesians 4:14–15, Nathan Johnson talks about how easy it is to be tossed back and forth while being blown here and there, how such a life is not fitting for Christians, and the solution so that we never have to. --...

Whereas the Fear of God is the beginning of good things—things like wisdom and knowledge. The fear of man is also the beginning of some things. But the things that the fear of man begins are not at all pleasant. For instance, the fear of man fosters a derangement of the human brain. It causes said brain to stop questioning the obvious, to turn off all reasonableness, and forsake all common sense....

There is one iconic phrase that marks the history of Ellerslie Discipleship Training maybe more than any other: “Watch what my God will do!” This episode explores the amazing origins of that inspiring statement and freshly encourages us to keep shouting it. ------------ »  Take these studies deeper  and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at Ellerslie in one of o...

There is one goal and focus for the Church—Jesus Christ Himself! In Ephesians 4:13, Paul describes the goal in three ways, but the focus is the same. In this study, Nathan Johnson dives into the passage and talks about Paul’s heart and desire for the body of Christ and how we as the Church are to be unified in the faith and grow in the full knowledge of Jesus, mature unto the perfect man, and be m...

Virtue signaling is “impression management”—it is to subtly boost your reputation through what you say (or don’t say), what you wear, what groups you associate with, etc. Humanity seems to be wired for virtue signaling—to focus on self and how to look better in other’s eyes. Yet, as Eric and Nathan discuss, this is opposite of the Kingdom of Heaven. We should not care for our own reputations, but...

Eric and Leslie were best-selling authors and internationally traveling speakers that were used to speaking to thousands at a time, when God called them to walk away from that path, come off the road, and speak to only a handful for a season. Why? What good could come out of such a shrinkage of influence and voice? This call to the small was the necessary step that prepared the Ludys for the launc...

Jesus is the perfect man and Paul writes that He is the standard of growth and maturity for the Church. In this study of Ephesians 4:13, we investigate the primary goal for the body of Christ and discover the only way it is possible to live such a life. ------------ »  Take these studies deeper  and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our u...

The Overton Window is a socio-political concept denoting the “politically accepted view of the moment/time.” It’s the perspective through which modern culture deems that which is acceptable. But is this a Christian concept and how should we as believers respond to the Overton Window of our culture … especially when it appears the window is moving closer to a biblical perspective. In this timely an...

Eric and Leslie unpack their experience of being exposed to the modern Christian celebrity world in their early twenties. They explore the behind-the-scenes challenges they ran square into as they encountered the Christian “industry” and their decision to move away from a glitzy road and choose a rockier path instead. ------------ »  Take these studies deeper  and be discipled in person...

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:12–13 that God’s desire for the Church is to grow up and be built into a body that is mature and measured by the stature of Christ. And this “building up the body” process happens, according to Paul, when every believer is equipped and in active ministry. In this message, Nathan examines Ephesians 4:12 and what it means for every Christian to be a “waiter at the tabl...

There is a big movement to focus inward, put America first, and make her great again. Yet, the tension our nation faces is should not we use our strength to help weaker people and nations around the world? Perhaps to make it more personal, what does the Bible say about focusing on self verses turning outward and focusing on others? In this timely and stirring conversation, Eric and Nathan discuss...

Thirty years ago when Eric and Leslie stepped into the battle of ministry, they were completely unprepared to stand up to the spiritual assault that came against them. They were naive believers unskilled in the art of war. But, around ten years into their ministry work—when they were discouraged and doubting they could even continue on—they finally came to understand the powerful weaponry that the...

Jesus has given a gift to His body—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. But what are they and how do they function today? In this study from Ephesians 4:11, Nathan explores these five areas, how they might be different today, and explains why God gave them to the Church. This message is bound to step on some toes, but will ultimately point all of us to the Giver of the gift, Chr...

We are dealing with a border crisis, not just as a nation but as the Church. How do we handle the issue of borders, walls, security, and deportation—nationally and in our souls? In this conversation, Eric and Nathan tackle this difficult topic by thinking biblically through what we should do with immigrants in our nation in light of justice (law) and mercy, but they also discuss how we must handle...

Eric and Leslie discuss the unexpected battles that accompanied their launch into ministry work. They share key spiritual lessons they learned through the intense struggle to gain a power position against the enemy's attacks, instead of a passive one. ------------ »  Take these studies deeper  and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upc...

Christ has ascended! While Christians give a lot of focus to the death and resurrection of Christ, we nod our heads at His ascension. Yet, contained in the ascension of Jesus is His exaltation, coronation, and a revelation of His majestic supremacy! Join Nathan Johnson in this study of Ephesians 4:8–10 as we examine Paul’s parenthetical statement about the majesty and preeminence of Christ Jesus i...

When a new president enters office, there is a lot of housecleaning, changes, and reforms that are made within the the first week. This change of power allows for a deep transformation to take place (for good or for bad). The Church and our souls are also in need of a “DOGE” (department of government efficiency). In this stirring episode, Eric and Nathan talk about the importance of humbling comin...

Thirty years ago something amazing began. It was the beginnings of a marriage and a ministry that would impact a generation. When Eric and Leslie first set out on their great adventure together, they experienced the joys and triumph of a God-centered story while also facing the many unexpected challenges that come from being engaged in front-lines spiritual battle. In this candid and conversa...

You have received the ultimate gift from Jesus Christ—His grace! While many of us think of one aspect of grace (salvation from sin), we miss what Peter calls the “manifold wonder of grace”—the many layers and characteristics of His grace. In this study, we explore Ephesians 4:7 and Paul’s declaration that every Christian has received the fullness of grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift....

The inauguration of a new president is an important day in a nation … as it can shift the direction of a nation’s culture for better or for worse. In light of today’s presidential inauguration, Eric and Nathan discuss the lack of manliness in the modern culture and Church and why we need to inaugurate it back into our world and lives. In this episode, they describe true manliness is, why we n...

The body of Christ is called to live in unity with one another—a symphony of the saints. As we dive back into Ephesians 4, Nathan uses this study as a review of Ephesians 4:1–6 to set the context for our future studies. As he reminds us, we are not called to uniformity but to true Jesus-focused unity as the Church. If you'd like to listen to Nathan's past studies in the book of Ephesians, check ou...

Eric and Nathan are attempting something new—a long form discussion series centered around the socio-political issues of our day and how they give us insight into our spiritual lives. In this first discussion, they talk about their desire for long form, some of the key issues that will be addressed in future episodes, and focus on what they sense is the big shift that is happening within the cultu...

Join Eric and Nathan in this special episode as they look back over 2024 and talk about Ellerslie highlights. They also discuss several exciting things that are planned for early 2025 … including Ellerslie Online (mid-January), a scholarship giveaway (early February), and their new Daily Thunder series launching January 13th.