Rich Blue - Surprised By God: A Journey of Divine Discovery

Surprised by God is a refreshing surprise. Ive struggled with my real-life experience of loving Christ and yet not liking many people who describe themselves as Christians. This wonderful book helps me understand and heal that divide within me. Thoughtful, provocative and a good read I thoroughly enjoyed and learned from it.

R OBERT W HITE F OUNDER OF L IFESPRING AND ARC I NTERNATIONAL A UTHOR OF L IVING AN E XTRAORDINARY L IFE

What I love about Surprised by God is that I was surprised by how raw, authentic, real and poignant it was for my life. I began reading it to review it but it ended up reviewing me! Richs book should be read by people seeking God, new in their Christian walk to seasoned veterans.

B OB B OUWER S R . P ASTOR OF F AITH C HURCH (RCA) 7 S ITES IN THE G REATER C HICAGOLAND A REA

I dont know anyone who can cut through the fog and see my blind spots more quickly and accurately than Rich Blue. Does that sound threatening? It would except that with surprising vulnerability Rich freely shares his own journey, failures as well as triumphs, and you soon realize you are in the best of company as he runs alongside of you cheering you on.

D AVID G. G OODMAN P RESIDENT E NTRUST

Wow! Surprised by God makes life-changing principles available to all of us who hunger for more out of life and relationships. These insights and skills have the power to transform your life. I highly recommend it!

B RENDA S ALTER McN EILL A UTHOR OF T HE H EART OF R ACIAL J USTICE & A C REDIBLE W ITNESS

Surprised by God is personal, engaging, enjoyable to read, and also profoundly insightful. Rich Blue uses stories from the Bible and from his practice as a Christian therapist to teach how our relationship with God can be authentic and dynamic. If God feels distant, this book will help you encounter God a surprising and genuine way.

R EVEREND B RIAN R OOTS C HRIST U NITED M ETHODIST C HURCH

In Surprised by God Rich Blue articulates the journey all of us are on to become genuinely human as followers of Jesus. The honesty and candidness of his story leaves one saying, Yesme toobeen theredone that. Rich helps us take off the masks of pretense and self-protective armor of needing to be right and helps us to see that we are enough in every situation because Jesus is enough in every situation. Thanks for this gift.

E RIC S WANSON L EADERSHIP N ETWORK C O - AUTHOR OF T HE E XTERNALLY F OCUSED C HURCH AND T O T RANSFORM A C ITY

Rich Blue delivers readers to a spiritual world as personal as it is unique. He is an up-and-coming leader in the puzzling labyrinth of existence both for Christians and non-Christians who hunger for an understanding of their relationship with the universe. Those who are fortunate enough to discover his ingenious book will find a magical power to transform life.

Q IGUANG Z HAO , P ROFESSOR C ARLETON C OLLEGE A UTHOR OF D O N OTHING AND D O E VERYTHING : A N I LLUSTRATED N EW T AOISM

Not only do we have a longing to love and be loved by other people, we also long to love and be loved by God. In Surprised by God, Rich will help you explore and discover that raw, honest, authentic, life-giving relationship with God you deeply crave.

D ARYL M ERRILL L EAD P ASTOR C HRISTIAN L IFE C HURCH P RESIDENT C HRISTIAN L IFE C OLLEGE

In Surprised by God, author Rich Blue walks the talk of his faithdeeply, passionately, authentically. Through stories from his own life, his counseling practice with individuals and couples, and scripture Rich illuminates the path for all of us to become relationship-based people, alive with emotional connections with ourselves, others, and God. Although this book may speak most directly to Christians, it has a powerful message for people of all spiritual/religious practices: That God desires authentic relationship with usunfiltered and unashamed, without fear of guilt, sin, or punishment. From admitting fears and embracing doubts to finding purpose and, ultimately, grappling with our faith (a lifelong practice), Surprised by God opens the door to life lived most fully, in deep, alive, challenging, and loving relationship with our Creator.

P ATRICIA C RISAFULLI , N EW Y ORK T IMES B ESTSELLING AUTHOR OF H OUSE OF D IMON F OUNDER , WWW .F AITH H OPEAND F ICTION.COM

Through his personal struggles and the inspiring stories of those he has counseled, Rich helps us feel his growing intimacy with God, drawing us into a deeper heartfelt personal relationship with our authentic selves, our fellow humans and the divine within us - the journey of coming home.

J IM M ORNINGSTAR , P H D

This is a book you cannot put down. It takes you on a spiritual journey which defines your relationship to God and others. The book takes you deep into Rich Blues life. He informs you of his youth, his time in the ministry and his work at CLE (Christian Life Enrichment). I am Jewish and this book speaks to all as its premise is universal: seeking the truth in life about faith in God and the reality of our imperfect but ever growing selves. It is a must read.

D AVID M ARC D REW P RESIDENT OF D REW H OLDINGS

Rich Blue has made an indelible impression on the culture of our company. He has led our leaders on the journey towards knowing themselves both emotionally and spiritually. His love and wisdom have facilitated powerful growth and a hunger to know God on a deeper level.

M ARC M ALNATI M ALNATI O RGANIZATION

Read this book! Rich Blue is one the best men I know and on a true journey of integrity and pursuing a direct relationship with God for the betterment of mankind. This book invites you into a similar journey of your own. Bravo!

S COTT G S TEPHEN P RESIDENT - G UARANTEED R ATE O NLINE AT G UARANTEED R ATE

We all dream of a better life but often the personal paths we choose lead to disappointment. Rich Blue uncovers some precious realities that will help you soar in life.

P ASTOR F RED S INDORF S ENIOR P ASTOR N ORTH S HORE A SSEMBLY OF G OD C HURCH F OUNDING M EMBER OF R ICH B LUES P ASTORS G ROUP

Rich Blue has remarkably woven stories from the Bible with his own personal journey along with the stories of many of his clients at his Christian therapy practice. With biblical text as the backdrop, Blue encourages others to find spiritual meaning in their lives. He illustrates this by showing that the struggles one has in relationships today are similar to the very struggles of the people in the Bible--no easy task--and that everyone can make the choice to be alive emotionally. As a Jewish American, I find this book to be universal in its message that we are all on a psychological and spiritual journey. Blue reminds us to look at ourselves as we are: magnificent, beautiful, wonderful, and deserving of love and being loved.

E LIZABETH S HULMAN , M.A., M.E D . D IVERSITY E DUCATOR AND C ONSULTANT

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, Rich Blue, has written a book that will speak to you. Straight-forward and from the heart Rich, a deeply spiritual man who lives his faith vibrantly, shows us with deeply personal stories, that when our struggles seem more than we can bear, this is where God can do his best work.

D R . N IKOL (M ARGIOTTA ) H OPKINS , DN, FAARFM

Rich Blue has refreshingly modern insight into Christian faith. To hear him speak is inspiring. To read his writings is eye opening. I feel blessed to know him.

E RIC M ASI TORQUE / P RESIDENT / E XECUTIVE C REATIVE D IRECTOR

Rich Blue helped me at a time when I felt very challenged in my faith. I learned to value questions more than answers and found greater richness and authenticity along the way. Rich started me on a journey of embracing the unknown mysteries of life, where real faith is required.