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One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity Audiobook
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(4.01) - 493 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
What if you, personally, could make the world a better place...by tomorrow?
Debbie Macomber knows the secret to doing exactly that! In a world that seems too often stingy and grudging, she has witnessed how one simple act of generosity can yield unforeseen miracles.
You are about to discover, through true stories, what happens when we commit intentional acts of generosity. Lives are changed in ways we never envisioned. Come with Debbie late one evening through the checkout line at the grocery store. Discover the link between a submarine, a few bread crumbs, and some minnows. Visit ancient Galilee as a young boy volunteers his fishes and loaves to Jesus only to see his meager gift multiplied many times over to feed five thousand. You will stand amazed at what God accomplishes when we make ourselves available through simple acts of generosity.
This blend of true stories and motivating messages will delight and surprise you as you discover how giving the gifts of time, encouragement, hope, laughter, prayer, hospitality, service and even forgiveness can have a lasting, life-changing impact, not only on the recipient of such gifts but on the giver as well. Debbie Macomber invites us to offer who we are and what we have to God, to use in the lives of others. When we do so, lives -- including our own -- are changed in ways we couldn't have imagined. All it takes is one simple act.
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"While Debbie Macomber usually writes wonderful cozy stories about female friendship, this is a lovely venture into nonfiction about how intentional acts of generosity can open our lives to the very best God has to offer. It's really -- although she never says it -- a wonderful book on making stewardship a way of life. She builds her book on the biblical story of Jesus' multiplication of five loaves and two fishes, a miracle recorded in all four gospels. She then takes readers on a journey through the true meaning of generosity (and it's not about money or wealth): encouragement, good deeds, forgiveness and believing the best. She also delves into giving, listening, hospitality, inspiring hope and dips into what generosity means when it comes to Christmas, caregiving and prayer. The overriding theme, is, simply, to offer what you have as did the boy who offered his lunch to Jesus. She uses scripture and her story-telling talents to show that a life of generosity is not only possible, but very powerful. She illustrates her message with personal anecdotes of how she has applied these different acts of generosity in her life, and how it has blessed her and those around her. She also gives practical tips on how to be more generous in our lives in ways we may not have thought of. It is simply a lovely, uplifting, inspirational book! Every Christian should read it. It would be great for a small study group."
— Jo (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The lavishness of Debbie’s giving-heart is proofread in her fiction…whether she’s teaching us through story how to knit, connect meaningfully with others, or heal from a disease, she’s does so with grace and ease. Now in her inimitable way Debbie offers us gentle and powerful reminders of true-life generosity and never drops a stitch.”
— Patsy Clairmont, author of Catching Fireflies -
"For many years Debbie's novels have welcomed us home. Now she invites us to come closer to the hearth of our own home and consider what our lives look like when warmed by the graciousness of a giving spirit. Thank you, Debbie, for inviting us draw near as you candidly share your heart with all your faithful readers."
— Robin Jones Gunn, best-selling author of the Sisterchicks® novels -
"The lavishness of Debbie's giving-heart is proofread in her fiction....whether she's teaching us through story how to knit, connect meaningfully with others, or heal from a disease, she's does so with grace and ease. Now in her inimitable way Debbie offers us gentle and powerful reminders of true-life generosity and never drops a stitch."
— Patsy Clairmont, Author Catching Fireflies -
"You are going to love Debbie Macomber. She's the bubbly friend you've always hoped to meet and the savvy mentor you've longed to know. Debbie's mission statement is captured in God's words addressed to Abraham: 'you will be a blessing' (Genesis 12:2 NIV). I'm here to tell you, girlfriend -- she's taken that promise and run with it! Blessing her loved ones. Blessing her neighbors. Blessing strangers in need. And, in turn, blessing her readers."
— Liz Curtis Higgs, best-selling author of Bad Girls of the Bible -
“For many years Debbie’s novels have welcomed us home. Now she invites us to come closer to the hearth of our own home and consider what our lives look like when warmed by the graciousness of a giving spirit. Thank you, Debbie, for inviting us draw near as you candidly share your heart with all your faithful readers.”
— Robin Jones Gunn, bestselling author of the Sisterchicks novels -
“This is a useful, inspiring study of an underpracticed art, written by one who has received, given and witnessed generosity.”
— Publishers Weekly
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
One Simple Act Listener Reviews
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" really liked this book - one great lesson on one of Jesus's miracles "
— Sandy, 2/14/2014 -
" Nonfiction. Great book about ways to share yourself with others and in so doing honor the Lord. It makes you think and find more ways that you can serve the Lord everyday in small but very significant ways. There are lots of great quotes in the book. A couple I really loved were: "You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time." - Pat Schroeder former congresswoman. "Remember the weekday and keep it holy." Elbert Hubbard an artist and philospher. "
— Carol, 2/12/2014 -
" A master storyteller's true stories show how simple acts of generosity had lasting life-changing impact on recipients and givers as well. This was a great book. I need to listen to it again, or better yet get a copy and take some notes. So many good ideas for putting the gospel into action in every day situations. "
— Bonnie, 1/30/2014 -
" This is an uplifting and inspiring book. What to give, how to give, why give? Debbie has examples, some from Scripture, some from her or her friends' lives, that really illustrate the benefits, blessings and yes the duty of giving. It's another good read-aloud book, except that some portions I've read are embarrassing because I know and my husband knows that what I'm reading is not what I am...but knowing that gives me extra incentive to make it be me. "
— Linda, 1/28/2014 -
" Not a fan of her writing style, but a good book all the same. It encourages the reader to re-examine their beliefs about how to spend their resources, a useful practice for all. "
— Laura, 1/26/2014 -
" Really liked this one. Talks about the many ways we can make a positive contribution to others and our world. "
— Mary, 1/17/2014 -
" Listened to this instead of reading it. "
— Barb, 12/19/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book and her description of her fiction makes me want to check them out. "
— Sarah, 12/11/2013 -
" What a wonderful book! I have recommended to many people. A lot of the suggestions I am already doing and will continue to do, but there were some others that I thought were wonderful and will try to incorporate into my life. "
— Mary, 12/4/2013 -
" A book of short stories sharing how a simple act of kindness goes such a long way. "
— Kathryn, 12/3/2013 -
" I liked it but parts of it were a bit too religious for me. "
— Meredith, 10/20/2013 -
" I surprised myself by really enjoying this book. Lots of heart warming stories, suggestions on how to be more generous and grateful. "
— Karen, 10/17/2013 -
" This book changed my life. It also gave me the outlook to loose almost 100 lbs. EVERYONE should read this. "
— Ash, 9/29/2013 -
" I really liked the way the author tied in points to scriptures. It had me turning to my scriptures and marking passages throughout. I liked it enough to give it as a gift! "
— Cheri, 4/16/2013 -
" Hopefully everyone's mothers have taught them the lessons in this book, but I still enjoyed reading it... we could all use gentle reminders to be more generous in this life! "
— Melissa, 2/20/2013 -
" A short and easy to read book, this has powerful and biblical ideas on how to be generous in a multitude of ways! "
— Patty, 8/9/2012 -
" I have read tons of Macomber's fiction, but somehow didn't know about this title until I happened upon it in the library. I am so glad to have found it because it ended up offering a lot of inspiration for me. I would definitely recommend this one! "
— Amanda, 5/28/2012 -
" I really enjoyed reading this book. "
— Melita, 5/14/2012 -
" I hesitate to give a review of this book, I almost gave it a one star. I love Debbie and most of her books but this was way too preachy for my taste. That is all I am going to say about it, it just wasn't "my cup of tea". "
— Denise, 4/15/2012 -
" I really enjoyed this book. It made me think of generosity in ways that never occurred to me before. I recommend it for a thought-provoking, uplifting read. "
— Maria, 3/26/2012 -
" Blech! Saccharine sweetness, pay it forward, feel good stories that all kind of blended together. I knew there was a reason I'd never read Ms Macomber before - much too light for my taste. "
— Theresa, 3/17/2012 -
" This was an interesting book in that it got me thinking about how little acts affect/lead to other acts. Very inspiring and a good start to the year, might even help me with making my New Years Resolution ;-) "
— Melissa, 11/19/2011 -
" The various acts of giving and generosity "
— Tara, 9/11/2011 -
" I really liked this book! It gives ideas of improving your life by thinking of and giving to others, along with inspirational stories and passages from the Bible. It is very religious and helps me understand more about this popular author who has over 100 million books in print. "
— Ngdecker, 8/29/2011 -
" A master storyteller's true stories show how simple acts of generosity had lasting life-changing impact on recipients and givers as well. "
— Eddy, 4/4/2011 -
" good wisdom. need to apply it now. "
— Pam, 1/16/2011 -
" Fairly simple idea. Good for finding ways other than money to be generous. VERY Christian, so if that will annoy you, don't go there. "
— Karen, 12/8/2010 -
" Wow...such poignant, inspirational stories of generosity. My favorite, so far, the story of a Holocaust survivor who forgave her captor. Powerful act! "
— 10/29/2010 -
" Love this book, it really is making me examine how small acts of kindness can make a huge impact on someone who needs it....God can use us in ways we never have really even imagined.... "
— Susan, 10/9/2010 -
" Love the emphasis on what WE can do to infuse gratitude into our lives and the ripples to the lives of others. Page 140-141 (in my library edition) gives some specific new gifts we can give. Great inspirational stories if you give talks, too. Whole book can be read quickly or savored slowly. "
— ByTheFire, 9/18/2010
About Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Her novels have hit the number one on the New York Times bestsellers list as well as making the USA Today and Publishers Weekly lists. Her novels Mrs. Miracle and Call Me Mrs. Miracle inspired the Hallmark Channel’s top-watched movies for the year when they were released. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.
About Beth DeVries
Karen White is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and currently writes what she refers to as “grit lit”—Southern women’s fiction—and has also expanded her horizons into writing a mystery series set in Charleston, South Carolina. She is a graduate of the American School in London and has a BS in management from Tulane University. When not writing, she spends her time reading, scrapbooking, playing piano, and avoiding cooking. She has two grown children and currently lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two spoiled Havanese dogs.