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The Revolving Stage!
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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Sermon Summary
In this sermon, Bess Alia Schlenk emphasizes the power of taking responsibility for our actions and admitting our faults. She shares personal experiences of how strained relationships and difficulties in life were resolved when she and her sisterhood said the words, "It was my fault." She explains that these words bring about positive changes, such as unity, peace, and God's presence. Schlenk also highlights the importance of humbling ourselves before God, seeking His forgiveness, and finding joy and peace in His love.
Sermon Transcription
God lives and works today. If you don't experience His reality in your life, maybe it's because you need a change of scenery. Listen to today's program by Basilia Schlenk called The Revolving Stage. It was my fault. Nothing can express the tremendous effect these seemingly insignificant words can have when they are written or spoken. They change God's heart, they change people's hearts, they change situations, and they change our hearts too. These four words bring us riches, peace, unity of love, efficiency, joy, God's presence and answers to prayers. A heaven-like atmosphere at home, at the office, or at our place of work depends on whether or not we can say these words. We have experienced in our sisterhood that the Father does not tolerate any strained relations. Time and again He drills into our hearts when they are about to harden. This is how the Father's love works. At first it was the dump cart during our building period which always jumped the tracks when we were not at one with each other. Later it was the other machines which stopped working. Although the mechanic couldn't find any defects, they didn't work again until those words had been spoken. It was my fault. And then they would work at once. Whether you believe it or not, we are eyewitnesses. God is at work today. But how can we actually come to the point of saying, it was my fault, and mean it with all our heart? Through a personal testimony, Mother Materia gave us the remedy. Periods when we cannot admit our mistakes and our sins are the darkest times in our life. But if the Lord in His great mercy turns our life around, just like a revolving stage in the theater, then a new scene begins. That means I let the light of God fall upon me. The light that reveals my sinful ways in practical everyday life. I'm no longer so quick with my excuses. I learn how to keep silent so that I can pray about what is said to me. The Holy Spirit performs miracles. He changes the situation so that we no longer need to defend ourselves, but can accept the accusations as just. Having confronted the holiness of God, we humble ourselves in the dust. But we're not left alone. Jesus is there. With our tears, we can bring our sin to Him. In spite of our sadness, we're also filled with joy. Of course, I've become uglier in my own sight and in the eyes of others. But when I look to Jesus, the Lamb covered with wounds, I become fascinated by His amazing love and long to give Him mine in return. My heart is filled with peace and joy. Then the amount of guilt that the other person had becomes insignificant. He, the lowly Lord, laden with disgrace, awakens the yearning in me. I want my ego to be extinguished so that I can be very close to Jesus. It was my fault. Yes, it is indescribable what marvelous results these words have. God will hear our prayers and turn the revolving stage as soon as we ask Him. You have been listening to a program written by Basileus Schlink of the Little Land of Canaan. To learn more about how God lives and works today, visit us at our website, www.canaan.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!
The Revolving Stage!
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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.