The Blue House
by
Book Details
About the Book
This inspiring memoir by Michael Simmons highlights his mother’s efforts to protect her children from her alcoholic, abusive husband. After a DWI results in him losing his job, Michael’s father moves his family from Arkansas to Missouri, where losing another job means the family moves to a small house in the Arkansas countryside. His mother takes on picking cotton to earn money for the children’s Christmas presents. Another job loss, another move: the stress and uncertainty in his family’s life creates insecurity and loneliness for Mike. He is finally befriended by a woman who takes him to church with her and introduces him to God.
The Blue House places Mike’s experiences alongside insightful commentary by Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, who observes the life lessons Mike learns in a manner that guides readers to examine their own lives and find answers to their questions in scripture and self-reflection.
About the Author
Michael Simmons served in the army national guard, worked for GE, and later joined the AFL/CIO. He was appointed by Arkansas Governor David Prior to serve as Arkansas’ Deputy Director of Labor. He later worked as a personnel analyst, ran his own food distribution business, and then was regional sales manager for a national food manufacturing company. He is currently a member of the International Gideon society and serves on the board of directors for HUD-sponsored senior housing in Plant City, Florida.
Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks has over 30 years of chaplaincy, pastoral, and military level experience in leading and ministering to both civilian and multi-faith military organizations ranging from 300 to 10,000. As a gifted speaker, leader, author, and teacher, he serves as the Command Chaplain for the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office and President of Chaplaincy Care, Inc. He served as the Senior Pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church & Vice President of Leadership Development for the Biblical Leadership Institute, Plant City Florida. He and his wife of 29 years, Arienne, have two daughters, Erica and Allison.