Reading Shelby's work, and listening to her words, you may feel like she's been sitting behind you in church every Sunday, noting your secret thoughts, and logging your deepest longings. If so, then be comforted. She's got an uncompromising core of belief, but she'll take it anywhere -- and that has led her to a radically authentic faith which she can't wait to tell you about.
In her book, "Church Picnic: How God Saved Me from My Religion," Shelby invites you into her intoxicating journey out of rote religion and the subtle death of the sublime turned stale.
Shelby Humphreys was born in Missoula, MT where she still writes and worships with her friends, family, her husband, Frank, and two daughters: Bethany and Rachael. The story of Frank and Shelby's relationship is a living example of how God can turn the impossible into a miracle. They married in the spring of 2004. Having received this kind of undeniable mercy and love, Shelby was hungry for more.
In the spring of 2006, she quit her full-time job in hopes to find out what the Bible really means when it says, "If you save your life you'll lose it, but if you lose your life for the Lord's sake you'll find it." Unfortunately, nothing major happenned. No lightening strikes from Heaven, no donkeys talking in the middle of the street. In despair at the apparent emptiness of her hasty decision, Shelby's dreams melted down into tears. She remembers one afternoon, while soaking in a pool, when she begged God to tell her what was going on. She didn't understand. She gave up everything. Why didn't God use her?
Then, she heard a gentle voice inquire in her mind, "What are you most afraid of doing?"
"Well, writing this book, I guess," Shelby answered as she thought of the loose collection of essays she had written while trying to understand the maelstrom of circumstances surrounding her relationship with Frank.
"Why don't you start, then," God replied, "and see if I'll help you."
And God did, which has led Shelby and you, dear reader, here. As you continue to read Shelby's work and learn more about how God has been in-her-face, her hope is that you will consider who God might be outside of the traditional dividing lines of religion. In that place, she hopes you will find the God you've been hoping was really there.
Coming soon, "Thou Shalt Be Radically Authentic, the Hidden Commandment." In her second book, Shelby dives deeply into her guiding principle of, "To love God with your whole heart, you must first have your heart whole."
Shelby is currently promoting her books to agents and publishing houses. For more information, simply e-mail Shelby at info@shelbyhumphreys.com. Sample Table of Contents and chapters are available for review. Thank you for your interest!
E-mail: info@shelbyhumphreys.com
Phone: (406) 529-5488
Favorite Links & Resources
The Clothman: a Christian commentator who puts his tights on one leg at a time -- just like everyone else.
MinnowSpeaks: even little fish have thoughts.
SHEC Community Center: where religion ends and relationships begin.
Burnside Writers Collective: weekly e-zine with an alternative to franchise faith.
xxxchurch.com: a crystal example of how authenticity and faith can go where traditional Christianity cannot.
Shootin' the Bull Toastmasters Club: safest place in Missoula to practice your public-speaking skills.
The Computer Gal: like this site? thank The Computer Gal, Nora McDougall, for her excellent teaching.