Under Her Wings [Paperback]

Kathy Bence (Author), Bence (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001

In her spiritual quest, evangelical Christian Kathy Bence discovered the wealth of spiritual insight offered by five women saints: Teresa of Avila, Madame Jeanne Guyon, Therese of Lisieux, Julian of Norwich, and Catherine of Siena. Bence found answers to contemporary spiritual questions in the writings of these wise women from earlier times.

Each woman experienced God in a very real and unique way. Through Bence's study, we glimpse the life experiences of these five women. We also gain the possibility of deepening our own relationship with God.

Under Her Wings offers excerpts from the writings of the five women and also includes scripture readings, the author's meditations, questions for reflection, and journaling and prayer exercises.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I grew up in a Methodist family in Kentucky, lived a normal rural life in the 1950s, and never realized how limited my knowledge of Christendom was. During the 1980s, my husband and I lived in Scotland for three years. While we were there, I discovered the wealth of centuries of the saints' writings. I remember saying to my husband, Phil, "Why has no one ever told me about them?" I devoured their writings hungrily.

I love this title because it conveys the idea of protection and guidance from someone who's bigger and more experienced--a mother hen-and-chick image. I have lived under the wings of the experience these women have had of God. They have lived in the depths and their example has inspired me to launch out into the depths.

I suggest getting a cup of tea, a journal, and a Bible to use as companions to this book of fifty readings. You may spend several days with a day's selection and/or skip readings that do not apply to your current spiritual state. In case you get hooked on any of these saints, other readings are suggested in the back of the book. I hope that these five extraordinary women will inspire you.

About the Author

Kathy Bence is a minister, author, and spiritual director in Seattle, Washington. She is ordained in the Wesleyan Church and is an adjunct professor at the Seattle campus of Fuller Theological Seminary. Kathy's previous books include Turn Off the TV (Zondervan) and Developing Christian Values (Standard).

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Upper Room Books (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0835809439
• ISBN-13: 978-0835809436
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,366,086 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle invitation to spiritual depth, January 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Under Her Wings (Paperback)

This book is a treasure for women who love God and desire to know Him better! Bence introduces us to godly women from the past, sharing excerpts of their writings and then applying them to modern life with a gentle and personal writing style that made me feel I was talking to a good friend.

Here's one excerpt that meets me where I live: "Our society is so conditioned to instant gratification that praying through Scripture may be a difficult adjustment. We are encouraged to read through the Bible in a year, not to linger over individual words that move us. Perhaps the reason we do not experience God more fully is because we do not slow down long enough for His divine presence to permeate our consciousness. We cannot allot fifteen minutes a day and command that God fit into our schedules when we are not willing to linger to enjoy His presence when it is given. Much of the joy of being in God's presence is the slowing of all other senses and luxuriating in that timeless space. Isn't a slower pace what we so value on vacation? Why then do we not avail ourselves of a daily vacation in the presence of our Lord?"

Each chapter includes a few questions for practical reflection and several Scripture readings.

As a born-again, Protestant believer, I had never heard of these "women saints" nor sampled their writings. I am grateful to Bence (an Episcopalian) for sharing with me what these godly women learned about our Lord in their life of faith. This is a wonderful book that calls us away from our "busyness" for God into intimacy and deeper relationship with Him.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for women's Bible study, March 27, 2009

By 

E. Williams (Lyon, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Her Wings (Paperback)

We are currently using this for our ladies' Bible class at church. It could also be used for personal devotional time.

5.0 out of 5 stars really great spirituality book by awesome women, September 5, 2007

By 

4fabfelines "Lesa" (Shelbyville , TN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Under Her Wings (Paperback)

this is a very good book by awesome spiritual women. Much to learn here and it has a "study guide" in the back of each chapter.
Highly recommended.