Meet delivery nurse, writer, and essayist for “Only the Lover Sings” Jessie Todd. Jessie chose the title track of this project “Only the Lover Sings” and wrote a great essay called “Excavation”. In it, Jessie tells the story of her Scottish miner ancestors to offer us a picture of Jesus as one who goes digging for buried treasure: you and me.

Meet… um… me! :) Surprise, I wrote an essay for my own book! I chose the song “The Heart of Our God” from the album and wrote an essay called “The Way Home”. In it, I’m looking at the death of Jesus – asking not necessarily *how* it does what it does… but *what* does it do? Was it necessary or just a loving gesture? Does the cross really have anything to do with my actual life?

Meet teacher, editor, podcaster, author, and essayist for “Only the Lover Sings” Heidi White. Heidi chose the song “Trying to get my heart back” from the album and wrote a fantastic essay called “Embracing a New Name: St. Photini”. In it, Heidi fills us in on the Samaritan woman’s story after meeting Jesus, and shares how his face gently coaxes our hearts out of bondage to fear, giving us a bright, hopeful name.

Meet singer/songwriter, poet, author, and essayist for “Only the Lover Sings” Adam Whipple. Adam chose the song “Everything But You” from the album and wrote a great essay called “In the Darkness of Noontide”. In it, Adam sits with us beside Jacob’s well as we reach the end of ourselves and assures us there is another source of life beyond self-esteem, beyond ourselves in Christ’s love.

Meet writer, editor, children’s book reviewer, and essayist for “Only the Lover Sings” Théa Rosenberg. Théa chose the song “The Well” from the album and wrote a wonderful essay called “Below the Tideline”. In it, she tells the story of a walk with her daughter beside the vast ocean, reflecting that Jesus brings us those unknowable waters in a way we can know: as a Well.

Meet author, lecturer, and essayist for “Only the Lover Sings” Lanier Ivester. Lanier chose the song “Every Beauty” from the album and wrote a responsive personal essay called “Eggardon Hill”. In it, she invites us to join her and her husband Philip as they make a trip through the English countryside looking for confirmation of God’s goodness and love in the beauties they encounter.

Meet poet, pastor, and essayist for “Only the Lover Sings” Andrew Roycroft. Andrew chose the song “Looking for you” from the album and wrote a responsive narrative essay called “A Stranger on the Road”. In it, he imagines what it’s like to be led down the paths of despair shackled to the legion voices of shame and accusation. How could that story end well? It can’t unless a “Stranger” comes seeking us where we are hopelessly lost.

This week on the podcast, I’ll share an excerpt from the introductory essay to the new book, tell you more about the project, and read a favorite related psalm to close. Over the next weeks, the amazing essayists who wrote for the book will share excerpts from their essays written in response to the songs and the woman at the well.