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Planning Ahead
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 by Basilia Schlink, the speaker emphasizes the importance of planning ahead for eternity. She shares the story of a young sister named Angelica who, despite being diagnosed with a fatal disease, joined their sisterhood. As Angelica faced the reality of her impending death and judgment, she realized that everything she valued on earth would be taken away from her. She turned to Jesus for forgiveness and spent her remaining time seeking forgiveness from those she had wronged. The sermon emphasizes the need for repentance, confession, and seeking forgiveness before it is too late.
Sermon Transcription
God lives and works today. Yes, today he is working and calling us to plan ahead, to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity, but only for a limited time. Why just for a limited time? The answer is in today's program by Basilia Schlenk, Planning Ahead. Most people today plan ahead for their time of retirement, but how many plan ahead for eternity? One of the young sisters of our sisterhood was called Angelica. Although she had contracted a fatal disease through her work in her earlier life, she still became a member of our sisterhood. Soon the symptoms of her illness told her that the last years of her life had arrived. She, a young girl bubbling over with life, was looking death in the eye, and also the judgment of God. Everything that had been important to her on earth suddenly lost its luster. It would be taken away from her at the moment of death. But that which would remain stood before her eyes, that is, her sins. She knew that her sins must be forgiven while she was still alive. God, whose word is irrevocable, has said, we will be judged according to our works. What did sister Angelica do? She went to everyone with whom she had come into contact during her short life, and to whom she had said an angry or bitter word, or had done something unkind or unjust, and asked them for forgiveness. Yes, she confessed her sins before God and man, and asked for forgiveness. Our sister Angelica was radiant with happiness because the Lamb of God, to whom she had brought her sins, had forgiven her. Her sin was washed away because Jesus had taken it to his cross. His blood covered her guilt. And as sick as she was, she rejoiced and sang, my sins are all forgiven, I am free, I am free. Yes, Jesus had taken her guilt away. She had been pardoned. The fact that we all must die calls us to take precautions, to plan ahead. Let us prepare ourselves by repenting and confessing our sins. For what is not confessed before God, and where necessary, also before man, what is not brought into the light of Jesus, cannot come under his atoning blood. Today, let us go to those whom we have wronged. Tomorrow might be too late. Jesus, the Eternal Love, is calling to us. Come to me to receive forgiveness of your sins. For if you confess your sins, I am faithful and just and will forgive your sins. Jesus, you are my Redeemer, I trust in your great might. Jesus, you are the victor for me, you were. Jesus, God of every suffering, God's Son forevermore. Jesus, so high exalted, your victory we adore. Hallelujah, hallelujah. You have been listening to a program written by Basileus Schlenk of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.org. That's K-A-N-A-A-N dot org. If you contact us, we would be happy to send you a free inspirational booklet. If you do not have access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.
Planning Ahead
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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.