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Better Than Gold
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, the speaker discusses the struggle that many people face in experiencing the reality of God in their lives, despite praying regularly. The speaker shares a personal story of searching for bricks to build a motherhouse and chapel, and how they were tired and discouraged. However, when Mother Basilea approached them, she was waving a Bible verse instead of money, reminding them of God's promises. The speaker emphasizes the importance of praying with faith and thanksgiving, as it shows God that we expect His promises to come true. They encourage listeners to put their faith into action and to thank God for His help, as it strengthens and brings joy.
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God lives and works today. But don't we all fail time and again to experience his reality in our lives, even though we may pray often? What keeps him from revealing his power? The answer is in today's meditation called Better Than Gold. We were sitting on the rubble heap from our bombed-out city, tired after hours of searching for unbroken bricks. We needed whole ones in order to build our motherhouse and chapel, but they seemed very scarce. And we were all tired from the hot afternoon sun. Suddenly, we spotted Mother Basilea coming towards us. Even at a distance, we could see that she was waving a piece of paper, and we thought spontaneously, surely someone has given her a gift of money so that we can buy the bricks instead of having to scavenge the rubble heaps. But when Mother Basilea reached us, we discovered that she had been waving a Bible word. It was one she had received from the Lord in prayer, and to her, that was better than gold. She wanted us to join with her in giving thanks to God for this word of promise. By doing so, we would let God know that we definitely expected his promise to come true and in good time. And so we learned to put our faith into action, not just by asking God for things, but also by praying, I thank you that you have already thought up the help for me. You have already prepared a solution to all my difficulties, and Jesus has already won the victory over all my sins. Such prayer holds great promise. It moves God's arm so that all of our problems melt like wax before his omnipotence. Take advantage of this opportunity. By thanking God for his help, you will grow strong and joyful. Yes, when your requests to God are embedded in faith and thanksgiving, you can be certain that he will answer them. And that's what happened with our story about the bricks. Finally, the city decided to tear down some old army barracks, and we were given all the bricks so that we had an overabundance. O God, all seer, will bring the might of God to bear Burst open island portes To pray with faith gives strength to harm And changes pain and duties calm To flowers in love's garden Who prays in faith the wayless much For God does yearn to answer such Who cry for grace and mercy So he who prays with heart and soul To him who made and ruled his God Will find God wants to apply it There, there was one who came to harm Who trusted in the Father's arm That is his own true promise He freely gives all things we need From ancient fears we too are freed For God loves all his children For more information on how to get access to the web, please contact this radio station for our postal address. God bless you.
Better Than Gold
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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.