Here's an "unplugged" edition of Ikthuscast featuring Matt Brady ("Be the Clay") ... Brian Kelley "Firmly Planted - rough" ... Tara Leigh Cobble ("I Wonder" ... and John Miles ("Lead Me To The Cross").

Tastefully executed musicianship and mega-blessings from three newcomers to the Ikthuscast podstage: Benjamin kicks it off with "I Know" ... Mashach brings "Amazing Grace" - it's not what you think - and Delta DJ offers a bluesy tune called "Take It To The Cross."

We're back! And with a couple of familiar voices and a new friend. Michael Popenhagen returns with his song "Time" ... Jessica Smith-Wright lands for the fourth (!) time with "Straight To Your Heart" ... and meet Matt Brady, who takes us home with "Blessed Assurance."

Yes, you're right - there's no Monday Ikthuscast this week. Don't be alarmed, the show will be right back, probably even this Thursday. As Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." He just had me taking other steps this weekend, so my plans changed. Watch for Michael Popenhagen, Jessica Smith-Wright, Matt Brady and a newcomer named Benjamin in upcoming 'casts.

Here's your chance to catch up on shows you missed!

UPDATE: OK, Monday pretty much for sure. Thanks for your patience. Oh, and Benjamin's not exactly a newcomer to the "biz."

Encore performances of some of my favorite tunes so far along the way ...

Shawn Cole is not new to this podcast - he leads us off with "Where Will I Run" from his album "Shelter."

Ben Vega released an album called "You Did This For Me" in 2005, but he has a brand new song called "I'll Follow You."

Recent Rainfall knows those who are in Christ Jesus face "No Condemnation," and Joshua Burke closes out this 15 minutes of independent Christian music with his rendering of "Holy Holy Holy."

The statistics show that only a handful of people are listening to Ikthuscast at this stage, but that's OK, it's fun exploring the world of independent Christian music a couple of times a week. If it was only me, it would still be worth it, but I'm glad you're here, too. If you enjoy these visits, let people know!

This time around, Chuck Stevens sets Psalm 147 to music, Leah Martensen sings "Something Beautiful" and Jessica Smith-Wright and her band spend a solid eight minutes "Standing True."

This show features Ellery - Justin and Tasha Golden - who will spend a couple of days in Wisconsin this week, including Friday night, July 6, at the Cup O'Joy Christian Coffeehouse in Green Bay. Selections are "Be Like This" and "You'll Get Through It."

Ellery's tunes are sandwiched between "It's Time" by Last Day and "You've Got the Time" by Terrance Damian - all in all, a timely episode of Ikthuscast, if I do say so myself.