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And Have Not Love
Basilea Schlink

Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.
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In this sermon, Basilia Schlink shares the story of Sadhu Sundar Singh, a man of God from India, who encountered a half-frozen man in the wasteland of Tibet. Despite the harsh weather conditions, Sadhu felt compelled to help the man and carried him on his back towards the next shelter. Through the warmth and contact with Sadhu's body, the half-dead man regained his life. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of love, as emphasized by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. The sermon concludes with the message that Jesus, the victor and redeemer, wants to fill us with his love and calls us to radiate that love to the world.
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God lives and works today. He is almighty and all-powerful and the source of His power is His great love. The same holds true for us. Today's meditation by Basilia Schlenk shares the true story of how one man made this exciting and earnest discovery. Sadhu Sundar Singh, a great man of God from India, was once on a trip to the wasteland of Tibet. An icy north wind brushed across the heights, destroying every living thing. When Sadhu and his Tibetan traveling companion turned the corner around a projected rock, they found a man lying on the ground, unconscious, half frozen to death. Sadhu, knelt down by the unfortunate man, examined him and suggested to his companion that they carry the man on to the next shelter. But the Tibetan refused. He said that they would be lucky to reach the next village at all in this terrible weather. And so he went away. After great trouble, Sadhu succeeded in getting the poor man onto his back. Slowly and pandingly he made progress. Soon he no longer felt the icy cold. On the contrary, because of the strain, streams of sweat ran down from his forehead. Then a wonderful thing happened. Through the continual contact with this warm body, life returned into the body of the half-dead man on Sadhu's shoulders. Sadhu Sundar Singh's heart became filled with joy and thanksgiving. The brother was alive. With new courage he struggled on with his burden. And suddenly he saw something lying in front of him on the path. What was it? He came closer. It was his Tibetan companion who had become tired and sat down for a moment. And he had frozen to death only a few minutes away from the village. This story has a message for us today. The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, that no matter how great or gifted we are, we don't gain anything if we don't have love. One day we'll be judged according to these words in eternity. Our egoism and self-love is dangerous, yes deadly. This is what the mountain death of Sadhu's traveling companion so clearly shows us. But if we would take the other person with his burden upon our shoulders, that would save his life and ours too. It would enrich our lives and make us happy. Nothing can make us happier than love. This kind of love, however, doesn't just happen. Not one of us can attain it through our own efforts. But Jesus, the victor and redeemer, wants to fill us with his love. He wants to be the redeemer over all hard-heartedness and selfishness and self-love. If we bring him our failures and claim his victory over and over again in faith, he will pour his love into our hearts. Yes, Jesus gladly answers the prayer for love, because he wants us to radiate his love to all the world. This program by Basilia Schlink has come to you from the little land of Canaan. If you would like a free leaflet by the same author, please write to God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099 That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099 That's God Lives and Works Today, 9849 North 40th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85028-4099 God bless you!
And Have Not Love
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Basilea Schlink (1904 - 2001). German religious leader, writer, and co-founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, born Klara Schlink in Darmstadt to a professor of mechanics. Raised Lutheran, she studied at Fröbelseminar in Kassel (1923) and Berlin’s Inner Mission girls’ school (1924), later earning a doctorate in psychology from Hamburg University in 1934 with a thesis on adolescent faith struggles. From 1933 to 1935, she led the Women’s Division of the German Student Christian Movement, resisting Nazi exclusion of Jewish Christians. In 1947, with Erika Madauss, she founded the Sisterhood in Darmstadt, taking the name Mother Basilea, growing it to 209 sisters across 11 global branches by 2001. Schlink authored over 60 books, including My All for Him, translated into 60 languages, and published tracts in 90. Her radio programs aired in 23 languages, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation, especially between Germans and Jews. Unmarried, she dedicated her life to prayer and ministry, shaping interdenominational Christian communities.