Joy Unspeakable focuses on the aspects of the Black church that point beyond particular congregational gatherings toward a mystical and communal spirituality not within the exclusive domain of any denomination. This mystical aspect of the black church is deeply implicated in the well-being of African American people but is not the focus of their intentional reflection. Moreover, its traditions are deeply ensconced within the historical memory of the wider society and can be found in Coltrane's riffs, Malcolm's exhortations, the social activism of the Black Lives Matter Movement and the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama. The research in this book-through oral histories, church records, and written accounts--details not only ways in which contemplative experience is built into African American collective worship but also the legacy of African monasticism, a history of spiritual exemplars, and unique meditative worship practices. A groundbreaking work in its original edition, Joy Unspeakable now appears in a new, revised edition to address the effects of this contemplative tradition on activism and politics and to speak to a new generation of readers and scholars.

The faith Joy inherited at the age of three worked for almost fifty years. She believed it, preached it, wrote songs about it, lived it. Jesus was the center of her universe, literally and metaphorically. Hence, one can only imagine the tsunami that followed when her ironclad theological foundation unexpectedly and involuntarily collapsed with a deafening thud. Joy's narrative chronicles her experiences of indoctrination from a young child to the present, as viewed through her rose-colored glasses. From early neglect to domestic violence, she shares how her distorted lens of faith turned every obstacle into an object lesson and every injustice into a refining tool. She exposes the toxicity of a religion that promises unspeakable joy amidst the backdrop of terror and violence. Joy offers hope to others who, like her, have found the courage to walk away and discover the world is even more beautiful without the enhanced overlay of religion.

In this fallen world, Christians often suffer due to no fault of their own. Imagine a loving spouse who suffers the pains of marital unfaithfulness, or loving Christian parents who suffer the loss of their child. Now, imagine that you can overcome the pain and instead experience a “joy unspeakable” (1 Pet 1:8). That is the message of this book. It teaches that to experience righteous suffering is to “fellowship with Christ in his sufferings” (1 Pet 4:13). We desire to know the glory of Christ, but that is only half of what he experienced. Unless we know Jesus’ suffering, we will never know the whole Jesus. And to know Jesus is the greatest joy of a believer, a “joy unspeakable.”

By being able to illuminate the veil of darkness, Evelyn is able to fashion through her poetry the stuff that dreams are made of.

I cried to the LORD. And He heard me. I should be dead. But I am still here. I should have on a padded jacket and be locked in a mental hospital. But I am still here. He came to me and saved my life. I am an Overcomer because of the Mercy and Loving kindness of God. To the readers of my book, if you are battling depression, grief, mourning, and you have a broken heart and you are not able to deal with the death/loss of someone that you Love with all your heart. Then this Book is for you. My lifes experiences will show and teach you what I had to do just be able to breathe. The only one who can help you is My God and His Son JESUS. And the Comforter-Holy Spirit of God will keep His arms around you and hold you tight. Without them you dont have a chance. With them all things are possible, go for it, what do you have to lose?