The Sinister Unknown
This is the first episode of Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series based on the convulsive struggles of World War I. Few people today know much about WWI, but this extraordinary event in history shaped the world in which we all live today and, if we dig into its rich loam, we find thousands of spiritual lessons to impact us as Christians in the twenty-first century. This particular episode starts near the end of the war in 1918 and explores the unknown nature of this war’s outcome. As believers, we live in a time of fog and sinister unknown. It’s critical that we remember that our God is NOT in fog and sees clearly in and amidst this period of dramatic disorder and moral meltdown. In fact, He has guaranteed victory.

Realpolitik 
This is the second installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This particular episode explores the impact of WW1 upon a generation of young idealists that believed the government was motivated by moral and just motives in fighting this terrible war, only to find out that there were far more carnal motives at the root of much of this four-year horror. The “War to End All Wars” proved to only be the “War to Start All Wars.” There are human frailties, misrepresentations, and propaganda all around us — how does a Christian reason and conclude? Where does our confidence lie? Hint: It’s not in human leadership — it’s in the Word of God, both in Text and in Person.

The Insecurity of William
This is the third installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This particular episode contrasts two key individuals in the early twentieth century demonstrating the importance of humility and the devastation of pride. Both of these men were kings and both desired the favor of France. Edward VII, the King of England, sought it through lowness, honor, and respect. Meanwhile, William II, the emperor of Germany, sought it through bullying, threats, and shows of self-importance. One of these men succeeded in winning the favor of the French, the other one started a world war as a result of his failed method.

A Foolish Thing in the Balkans
This is the fourth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This particular episode demonstrates the power and importance of the small decisions of life. Just as one man’s actions will spark the flame of WW1, it was One Man’s actions that sparked the rescue of humanity two thousand years ago. Gavrilo Princip didn’t see the full impact of his actions when he pulled the trigger to assassinate the Archduke of Austria-Hungary. And in the same way, many of us do not see the full gravity of our decisions when we choose to participate in our seemingly “small” fleshly deeds.

Underestimating Albert
This is the fifth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This particular episode unpacks the dramatic shift in Belgium leadership just prior to the Great War. The transition from Leopold II to Albert I was significant —moving Belgium from self-satiating to self-sacrificing. The problem for Germany is that their entire war plan hinged on Belgium’s avarice, and they were bewildered to find a new sort of leader running the show when they arrived. Germany was ready to bribe the Belgium government for safe passage through their country. However, instead of safe passage they found the Belgians with guns lifted and loaded.

The Inexorable Force
This is the sixth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode investigates one particular conversation held between the emperor of Germany and the commander of the German military on August 1, 1914. The outcome of this one interchange altered the history of the world. And, due to the incorrect thinking injected into this singular conversation, devastation came to this world. The very pattern we see in this fateful conversation is the same dynamic that can reside in the inner conversations of our individual souls every day. Whereas our decisions may not lead to 40 million deaths, when handled incorrectly, they can give the devil place and power in and through our lives. It is critical that we know the Truth about God’s ability to save and that we know that He, indeed, is the God of the impossible.

The French Fury
This is the seventh installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode explores the impact of evolutionary thought upon France in the years leading up to 1914. The entire French culture teemed with twisted notions derived from Darwin’s postulations—and these twisted notions nearly destroyed the nation. Their German enemy to the east was well aware of their muddled thinking and attempted at the outset of the war to entrap them through their misguided passions.

The Old Contemptibles
This is the eighth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode dives into the daring of the ready soldier. Modern men dread the thought of losing their comforts and letting go of life-as-usual. However, throughout history men have yearned for opportunity to march off to war. The spiritual man must not grow too comfortable in his earthly life —he must be ready and alert and always in position to leap into the fray and play the man.

The Other Eric
This is the ninth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode investigates the life of Erich Ludendorff and his spectacular rise to worldwide fame in and through his exploits at the Battle of Liège in August of 1914. In a general sense, Ludendorff is not a character that Christians should emulate. But when he bangs on the gates of the Citadel in Liège on April 6, 1914, he models something that should cause every Christian to sit up and take notice.

The Daring Decisions of Albert
This is the tenth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode returns to the storyline of our hero, King Albert of Belgium, and follows him as he navigates through the darkest days of Belgium’s war-torn history. Albert magnificently demonstrates the rare decision-making process of heaven (ie. Dish out the “no” in order to preserve all covenantal yesses). With stunning alacrity, Albert makes decisions that harm himself in order to save his beloved homeland.

The Red Trouser Dilemma
This is the eleventh installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode explores the Biblical theme of change. Is change a good thing or a bad thing? Well, that depends on what sort of change it is. Using the Russian War Minister, Vladimir Sukhomlinov, as the muse, this message unpacks the importance of change when wielded by the Holy Spirit. Because the lack of change, when change is required, can lead to absolute devastation.

Simply Churchillian
This is the twelfth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode investigates the uncomfortable atmosphere in Great Britain in 1914 as the Great War was breaking out. It was an atmosphere of sharp division and contrasting viewpoints. In fact, the division was so sharp that a unified national action against the German aggression in Belgium seemed unlikely. But, in the midst of this chaos, a man stepped onto the stage that would speak clarity to the nation amidst the terrible fog of war.

The Meddling of William
This is the thirteenth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode takes us to an unexpected war theater in the Wild West. The story of surging conflict in 1914 is going to take us all the way to Mexico. And the intrigue runs deep as Germany labors to stir up animosity between the United States and Mexico in order to keep the U.S. distracted from assisting in a European war.

The Nicholas Swizzle
This is the fourteenth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode takes us to St. Petersburg, Russia in 1914 and some strange goings on in the royal palace. It involves an insecure King, a fretful Queen, a sickly boy, and a Mad Monk. It is a story that is both bizarre and powerfully convicting. For like Nicholas and Alexandra, many of us have allowed the “Mad Monk” into our own living rooms under the auspices of crazy justification.

The French Counterpunch
This is the sixteenth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode exposes the strange phenomenon of Sin’s inability to slow itself and put on the brakes. This fatal flaw in Sin’s make-up is leveraged by God as one of His chief means by which he awakens the soul to His glorious salvation. This idea is demonstrated in a powerful way through the German aggression of WW1 and their attack on Paris in early September 1914. Paris was vulnerable, the Germans were powerful, and then . . . the strangest thing happened.

The Honor of England
This is the seventeenth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode zooms in on one of the most extraordinary moments in the war—when Joseph Joffre confronted Sir John French on September 5, 1914 and begged him to join the offensive against Germany at the First Battle of the Marne. The participation of the BEF (French’s forces) in this epic battle is the key factor in the ultimate outcome of WW1. However, at the time, it didn’t even seen possible that the British would side with the French in this occasion. If French had succumbed to his panic rather than risen to fulfill his role, the outcome of the Great War would have been wholly different.

Twenty-One Gun Salute
This is the eighteenth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode returns us to America in 1914 and lays another foundation stone in the drama embroiling the United States at the time the Great War breaks out. US President, Woodrow Wilson, becomes a chief character in the landscape of WW1 and by the end of the war will prove possibly the most important decision-maker on earth. This message explores the beginnings of his presidency and his susceptibility to the distractive measures the Germans are employing to keep him preoccupied everywhere but in the territory the Germans are wanting to conquer.

National Road 2
This is the nineteenth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode focuses on the unexpected revival of the French military strength in the hour of their greatest need. Utilizing the principle of “thanksgiving”—this message shows how obedience in the Kingdom of Heaven, even when it seems strange, leads to an unexpected surge of might at the moment it is most required.

The Dragon Hole
This is the twentieth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode explores the Battle of the Aisne that unfolded in mid-to-late September of 1914. This one battle has so many rich pictures of the Christian faith and our battle against our evil Foe. So often, we as believers accept stalemate in the territorial battles of our souls and fail to claim that which is rightfully ours due to the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

The Meltdown of Moltke
This is the twenty-first installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode dives into the man steering the military operations of the Germans in the very first month of the Great War—Helmuth von Moltke. Moltke is an average man in a very un-average situation. He finds himself at the helm of something so big, so grand, so weighty—with consequences of victory and failure so extreme—that he begins to crumble under the weight. There are two ways to lead in times of crisis—one that works and one that fails. Moltke chose the wrong one, and it totally destroyed him.

Stalemate
This is the twenty-second installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode explores the formation of what will become known as the Western Front in WW1. A war of movement will quickly devolve into a war of entrenchment with a series of desperate battles in a territory known as Flanders. The baits the Christian to this very same territory—the place of spiritual stalemate. Where we waste our life attempting to break through barriers in our own strength instead of recognizing our enemy is already defeated.

The Sincere Soldier
This is the twenty-third installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode examines the personal experiences of a young German soldier and his experiences in the Battle of Ypres in October 1914. This young man’s nobility, self-sacrifice, and sincerity are touching, earning him two Iron Crosses for his bravery under-fire and the admiration of the onlooking German world. However, the most gallant and daring feats spent on behalf of the wrong agenda, do not lead to triumph, but tragedy. Every one of us, as believers, are prone to the same misadventure in our lives. There are many false causes to fight for, but there is only One Savior worthy of the entirety of our lives.

Going Over the Top
This is the twenty-fourth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode unpacks the idea of “going over the top” in battle—a concept made famous in the trench-styled warfare of WW1. But the fun twist to this message is how it explores “going over the top” as a Christian. Using the Christmas Truce of 1914 as its muse, this message shows us a beautiful picture of the power of bold gentleness and daring love in the face of hostility.

The Ethics of Victory
This is the twenty-fifth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode investigates the German decisions to violate previous agreements they had made at the Hague Peace Conventions in 1899 and 1907 in order to win the war. For the Germans, victory was an end that justified any means necessary to reach it. How should a Christian approach these matters? Do the ends really justify the means? Does the Bible have something to say on all this?

The Rise of Pancho
This is the twenty-sixth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode explains the elaborate art of distraction that the Kingdom of Darkness wields as one of its chief military schemes against the Church of Jesus Christ. Just like Kaiser Wilhelm II (Germany’s King during WW1) waged a distraction campaign against the United States (from 1914-1916) in an attempt to keep the U.S. “otherwise occupied” with Mexico instead of involving themselves with stopping Germany’s aggression in Europe—so our ancient foe, the Devil, does the same thing with us. Let’s not be ignorant of the enemy’s schemes.

Big Tough
This is the twenty-seventh installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode looks at the ANZAC (the Australian/New Zealand Army Corps) in WW1. In April 1915 they received their first commission. It was an impossible one—Gallipoli. Everything went wrong on the mission and the ANZAC were stuck in a miserable situation for eight long months. But instead of moaning, groaning, complaining, and crying—they did something altogether unexpected. They laughed.

The Zone Rouge
This is the twenty-eighth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode explores the longest battle in world history known as the Battle of Verdun. 300,000 died in 300 days. It was an epic tragedy that destroyed the once-lovely territory of Verdun turning it into a dead zone—a zone rouge. This proves an incredible parallel with our spiritual lives. God desires to take our dead territory and reclaim it for His glory.

Voie Sacrée
This is the twenty-ninth installment in Eric Ludy’s epic summer Daily Thunder series entitled Spiritual Lessons from WW1. This episode explores another side of the infamous battle of Verdun (the longest battle in history). Early in the battle, the Germans cut off all French supply lines—all that is but one, that is. The one supply line that was left to the French was a small country road known in history as La Voie Sacrée (the Sacred Road). This one lone road supplied for all the heroic labor at the front. In the Christian life is it important that we caretake for our Sacred Road in the same manner the French cared for theirs in the darkest hours of WW1.