One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity [Hardcover]

Debbie Macomber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 2009

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.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Macomber, one of today's leading fiction writers with more than 100 million books in print, walks a new path with this nonfiction title. I've just got to share the news, she says of her book on generosity. Intentional acts of generosity can open our lives to the very best God has to offer. Macomber builds her book on the biblical story of Jesus' multiplication of five loaves and two fishes, a miracle recorded in all four gospels, using her storytelling prowess to retell the tale. She then takes readers on a journey through the true meaning of generosity (and it's not about cash): encouragement, good deeds, forgiveness and believing the best. She also delves into giving, listening and hospitality, and dips into what generosity means when it comes to Christmas, caregiving and prayer. The theme, Macomber says, is, simply, to offer what you have. She fills out her chapters with real-life stories, suggestions for Simple Acts and brief Discovery sections. This is a useful, inspiring study of an underpracticed art, written by one who has received, given and witnessed generosity. (Nov.)
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Review

"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 --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Howard Books; 1st Printing edition (November 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439108935
• ISBN-13: 978-1439108932
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With more than 100 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Debbie Macomber is one of today's most popular authors.

The #1 New York Times bestselling author is best known for her ability to create compelling characters and bring their stories to life in her books. Drawing on her own experiences and observations, Debbie writes heartwarming tales about small-town life, home and family and enduring friendships. Every book features the delightful sense of humor that readers around the world clamor for.

Debbie is a regular resident on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times (55 times and counting), USA TODAY (currently 63 times) and Publishers Weekly (23 times to date). She is the first-ever recipient of the "readers' choice" Quill Award for Romance Fiction, for 44 Cranberry Point, the fourth book in her highly popular Cedar Cove series. Debbie has also been honored with a RITA® Award, a Romantic Times BOOKreviews Career Achievement Award and is a multiple winner of both the Holt Medallion and the B. Dalton Award.

Her recent books include 92 Pacific Boulevard, 8 Sandpiper Way, 74 Seaside Avenue and Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Cookbook, as well as Twenty Wishes, A Cedar Cove Christmas, Summer on Blossom Street and The Perfect Christmas.

For more information on Debbie and her books, visit her Web site: www.DebbieMacomber.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Ideas For a More Thoughtful "Pay It Forward" Type of Life!, November 7, 2009

By 

Stacey (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity (Hardcover)

"One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity" by Debbie Macomber is a completely wonderful book that uses scripture and stories to show the reader that a life of generosity is not only possible, but very powerful. I was touched more than once by the personal anecdotes shared by the author, examples of how to live in a generous way and value other human beings.

This book taught me that the little things really do matter. It gave me ideas of things to do to show others that they matter, as well. This book should be a must read for every person on the planet. If everyone read it and adopted even a small bit of what is written between these covers, the world would be a much better place.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You don't have to be rich to be generous., November 13, 2009

By 

Marine Corps Nomad - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity (Hardcover)

Debbie MaComber, best known for her fictional books, has written a wonderful non-fictional book about discovering the power of generosity. Using her gift as a story teller, Debbie weaves little stories throughout this book. Debbie talks about being generous in the acts of gratitude, sharing, encouragement, good deeds, forgiveness, seeing others through God's eyes, giving, listening, hospitality, hope, celebrating, caring for others, taking time for eternal things, prayer, sharing our faith stories, and serving.

Debbie describes how she has applied these different acts of generosity in her life, and how it has blessed her and those around her. She gives practical advice on how we can learn to be more generous in our lives. The gift of giving isn't just about monetary giving. I know that I walked away with more ideas on how our family can be more generous to others. Debbie concludes the book with study questions for each chapter and a list of her favorite charities.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Daily Devotion-style inspirational readings about generosity, January 9, 2010

By 

James F. Strasma "strasma" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

This was my first Debbie Macomber book, though my wife is a huge fan.

"One Simple Act" is a non-fiction book about why being generous is good for givers, with lots of practical tips. Better, it is not just another ode to guilt. Rather, it gets into the science of why generosity is also good for givers, along with numerous stories of actual instances of generosity, with plentiful tips for those interested in becoming more generous.

Many of the included stories were already known to me, such as the opening one of Corrie Ten Boom and the fleas. Others were new. I was happy to read (re-read) them all, and glad to have them all together for future reference.

The book includes useful chapters on gratitude, forgiveness, listening, hospitality, correspondence, care-giving, and prayer. Notably, many of those require little or no money, just time and attention.

This book could be read as a daily devotional, perhaps a chapter a day. I recommend that approach, as some ideas soaked in better in small doses.

Some ideas I particularly liked:
Science documenting benefits of gratitude, forgiveness and prayer
The difference between praise and encouragement
Keeping good deeds simple and meaningful
The idea that heroes are more likely to be empathic than courageous
Fred Roger's idea for explaining 9-11 to children: "Tell them to watch the helpers."

My favorite line from the book is this: "very often the ones asking loudest are not the ones the Lord would have us support." Amen, sister! Contributing to some causes only accomplishes being asked to give more.

Overall, a worthy read.