Customer Reviews

How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons?: Proverbs 31 Discoveries for Yielding to the Master of the Seas

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As I was reading the book, I think I was looking for some specific "How to's" and was initially a little disappointed when I didn't find them. But throughout the book, I laughed, I cried, and when I finished I thought "It was okay." Then over the following week, I caught myself in countless conversations starting a sentence with "Well, in this book I just read..." And as I spent more time thinking about the stories she told and the journey she shared, I finally started to "get it." It's a great lesson in how God can make us more like the Proverbs 31 woman...despite ourselves! I definitely recommend it, just make sure you spend some time thinking it over afterward!

In this book, Kathi Macias has captured the insecurity of so many women and fleshed it out in words. It's that secret desire to discover a magic formula for perfection that hides our not-so-secret flaws. Kathi reveals what women need to know regarding the comparison game. The perfect women doesn't exist, and those seem mature and polished aren't as put together as others would believe! It's a breath of fresh air to have someone give the reader permission to be who she is.

Kathi is funny and she has a gift with words. I laughed aloud when I read, "sawing logs like a beaver on steroids." But there were a few places where the humor seemed forced. There is so much really great humor in this book to go around that the not-so-funny and cliché humor could be left out and the reader wouldn't really miss it. I also felt that the jokes about weight or size might be offensive to some readers. Labeling Bernadine as "Big Bertha" and "clueless about her size" as well as showing shock that she would order a "diet" soda, seems harsh. In another place, the author rooms with a stranger named Marcy at a conference, she describes her as her "chubby" saying that she "outweighed me by fifty pounds, so the chances that I'd get an entire `side' of the bed were definitely not good." Again, easily misconstrued by the reader struggling with self-image.

The author has included a "making it personal" section at the end of each chapter and this is very helpful for reflecting on the content and applying it to life. Each chapter also ends with a scripture quote that underscores the concept.

I felt like there were three themes going throughout the book: 1. Living up to the Proverbs 31 image. 2. The process of maturing: crawl, walk, run, fly, lean. 3. Loose cannons. I think I lost the cohesive thread somewhere in the middle but then it came back together at the end. It was almost as if the writer couldn't decide on the main theme or the title so she worked out a way to squeeze all of the ideas in.

This would be a great book for a group of Christian women to go through for a reading club. I would not recommend the book for someone who is not a Christian mostly because someone unfamiliar with the Bible would not understand the significance of the Proverbs 31 woman. Although the introduction helps explain a little and the passage printed from Proverbs 31 at the beginning of the book would help, the book sets a tone for a Christian audience.

Despite the critical side of my review, I think this is a book that many will enjoy and take to heart. It's a message women can't hear often enough.

I loved reading this book. Kathi shares her quest to live the life of a Proverbs 31 woman. Documenting with humor all of life's foibles and blessings along the way. It is a lovely book for women who are tirelessly trying to steer their ships in the right direction. The lessons she learns from unlikely sources only prove to show that God is the master of all ships. Additional note: I also really enjoyed the Make it Personal section at the end of the chapters, it is a wonderful way to do just that.
Copyright© Bobskatie Enterprises-for Amazon.com

How Can I Run a Tight Ship is a joyful romp through Kathi Macias' autobiographical/devotional voyage through the stages of Kathi's life and through her progress of growing in maturity in her walk of faith. Kathi's book is a bit tricky to explain, but her writing is humorous, light-hearted and candid. She doesn't hesitate to poke fun at her own foibles and growth curve as a young and growing Christian (and mother) as she seeks out the `perfect Proverbs 3/Titus 2 role model'.

It is so easy to fall into the trap of perfectionism, and so exciting to read a book that encourages women to trust in God and rely on Him to mature the fruit in their lives despite the fact that there will be a lot of stumbling along the way. I highly recommend How Can I Run a Tight Ship as an encouraging, inspirational read that is just a treat to read through.

Laugh your way to freedom in this hilarious book by veteran author and recovered perfectionist, Kathi Macias! In 25 rollicking chapters that will leave you rolling on the floor laughing, the author will hit you between the eyes with areas of perfectionism that you never knew you had--but she will always do it with love and before you even know what's happening to you. From "the woman with 97 children" to "face-plants and "setting up chairs", this book will take you on a journey that you will never forget--a journey that will show you what Proverbs 31 is really all about.

Oh, to be the Proverbs 31 woman, the perfect woman. It seems like such an impossible goal especially for the baby Christian woman. But, it can be done if we, like the author says, stay on our knees and surrender to God. God will guide us and show us what He wants from our lives and how we can be the Proverbs 31 woman according to God's will.

When I first became a Christian and was first introduced to the Proverbs 31 woman, I thought "no way". I didn't think it was even realistic and felt discouraged, especially since I was about to get married to a good Christian man. I really wish I had this book during that time to simplify what God really expects from us. I really like the way Kathi Macias has written this book. She has written it with humor and personality. She understands the struggles women face and provides practical biblical advice for those of us who strive to be the Proverbs 31 woman.

I learned from reading this book that God does expect a lot from us, but if we will just surrender to Him, we will be able to live according to his will. I really liked this book and I think it will be a useful guide for today's Christian woman.
"Become a New Hope Book Review Blogger. Visit [...] for more information."

Perfect for : Personal Use, Bible Study Group (Women's)

In a nutshell: I don't know about you, but I've spent countless hours trying to find people, books, and websites that could help me become the perfect wife, mother, daughter, friend, etc. and I have been marginally successful (there are countless sites to help with menu planning, cleaning schedules, etc)! But with each thing I manage to implement into my schedule, I feel like I fall two steps behind in some other area - how can I ever manage to get ahead of myself with a husband, a two-year-old, and countless friends and relatives who tend to take a priority over my to-do lists in order to become closer to my goal of "perfect?"

After reading How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons? I now realize (and will hopefully remember) that I am what God created me to be, no matter what. . . I have a purpose on this Earth and only God knows what that is. In the mean time, I do manage to get the necessities taken care of in our crazy (and loving) life, and more than anything else, I am trying to be a good example to others while watching for things I can learn at the same time. God gives us "Loose Cannons" in our life so that we have an opportunity to witness for him in small ways, and so we can be encouraged and witnessed to as well.

Kathi Macias has written a wonderful book filled with humor and life stories that she has learned along her path to discovering how to be the Proverbs 31 Woman. This book will help you see what she was able to discover and learn from different people in her life, and will help you learn to see what the people in your life are able to show you as you go along your own journey and help your faith grow.

Extended Review:
Content: The book is made up of five sections that help show the different stages of the author's life in her walk with God and her attempt at finding out how to be the perfect Proverbs 31 Woman. Part 1: Learning To Crawl - On My Knees, Part 2: Learning to Walk - Slow and Shaky, but on My Feet, Part 3: Learning to Run - Swift and Steady, Still on my Feet, Part 4: Learning to Fly - Soaring with Eagles, Part 5: Learning to Lean - Back on my Knees. The book also has a Foreward, Introduction, Conclusion and Afterward.

Format: Each chapter shows a valuable life lesson that Kathi Macias learned throughout her journey to become the Perfect Proverbs 31 Woman. The life lessons are insightful, humorous, and serve to really show the reader what life is all about. The end of each chapter has a section called "Making it Personal" where the author asks some important questions of the reader, making what you are reading more relevant to your own life.

Readability: Kathi Macias' writing style was very enjoyable and easy to read. She has an approach to life and writing that makes the reader comfortable to walk a mile in her shoes as she is sharing some very important things she has learned and HOW she learned them.

Overall: This is a great book for the woman who is striving to become perfect, who probably needs a reality check and help to see what she is already accomplishing.

I can't help but think that somehow Kathi Macias had a glimpse into my life and struggles when she wrote this book.

In "Tight Ship...Loose Cannons," Kathi Macias successfully weaves a beautiful picture of the growth of a Proverbs 31 woman by sharing her own journey in a light-hearted, humorous, and very honest manner. Approaching it from the perspective of a child going through the phases of learning to walk, Kathi follows her own journey from spiritual rugrat through the phases of crawling, walking, running, and soaring. But, the essential phase is at the end - returning to the kneeling position before our Lord.

Fitting with the fun title, the book deals with the reality that as we grow, things don't always fit into a nice, neat package, allowing us to achieve perfection. Life is full of "loose cannons" - and we can't blame them all on spouses, children, or the unexpected. Many times we are our own loose cannons! This book beautifully shows how we can progress through our spiritual growth thanks to our struggles rather than in spite of them.

Kathi has an incredible knack for teaching a valuable lesson while keeping her readers rolling with laughter - with some sweet tears interspersed as well. This book was a delight and an encouragement to read.

I recommend this book to any woman seeking to find an honest, real-life insight into Proverbs 31 growth.

Released early 2009, Kathi Macias' How Can I Run a Tight Ship when I am Surrounded by Loose Cannons? is a light hearted look at discipleship from an experienced Christian writer. During our interview, Kathi described the book as "discipleship with a grin." As I easily consumed the book's message, I would have to agree. Like Mary Poppins' spoonful of sugar, the sometimes thick discipleship message is a joyful read in this book.

Kathi said her inspiration for the book was a conversation with a trusted friend. "How can I run a tight ship when I am surrounded by all these loose cannons?" quipped Kathi. She told me she immediately paused. "That's too good of title to not have a book attached to it," and the merry title gave birth to an equally playful book.

Kathi builds the book on a metaphor which follows a person's growth. First we crawl, then walk, and run. Hopefully as a Christian eventually we learn to fly as with wings of eagles (Isaiah 40.31). After these experiences we often learn that the most important place for a Christians is on our knees, back on our knees, in the same position we began our journey.

The book is woven with stories of women who influenced Kathi's life from that of a young Christian to a mature believer. After coming full circle, Kathi realized that quite often she was the loose cannon. She needed to trust her Father more. By following the example of other, equally loose cannons around her, she found balance. These women helped here see that having the details of life lashed to the deck isn't always God's plan. He works through imperfect people who have learned to rely on Him in their weakness. A hard lesson for a person with a High D, Type A, Choleric personality like Kathi.

Overall, I recommend this book highly. We need to laugh at ourselves as we apply the lessons of discipleship. Kathi has woven together anecdotes and vignettes from her life which lead to laughter with a purpose. As proverbs says, a merry heart does good, like a medicine. (Prov 17.22)

Keeping life under control is so much harder than it would seem. "How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons?: Proverbs 31 Discoveries for Yielding to the Master of the Seas" is a Christian woman's guide to finding control in one's life. Drawing from the thirty first chapter of proverbs, author Kathi Macias comes to women with much to inspire them to tie down their life and do the best they can as a homemaker and mother in a chaotic world. "How Can I Run a Tight Ship When I'm Surrounded by Loose Cannons?" is a top pick for stay-at-home women.