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NOTHING BUT THE BEST
By: Peter Kennedy
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him." - Colossians 3:17
Antonio Stradivari was born in Italy in 1644 and he apprenticed under well-known violinmaker Nicolo Amati. Stradivari was
an outstanding craftsman and eventually began his own line of instruments. During his lifetime, he produced 1,100 violins,
violas and cellos and some 635 are still in existence today.
A stradivarius violin is known for both its strength and sweetness of sound. Long hours of choosing the right woods, fashioning
the instrument at the right angles, and applying a beautiful finish produced the finest instruments in the world. The Stradivari
method of violin making set the standard for the proportions of modern violins. Today, the last stradivarius violin to go
to auction cost $920,000 and several violins are on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Stradivarius worked
as a master craftsman until he died at ninety-three years old. One time someone asked him why he put so much effort into making
violins. He replied, "God needs violins to send His music into the world, and if any violins are defective God's music will
be spoiled." He summarized his work philosophy by saying: "Other men will make other violins, but no man shall make a better
one."
What a marvelous testimony to Christ when you do and say your very best in His name. Are you doing your best for the Lord?
Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord and resolve to do your very best so He may receive honor?
"If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music,
or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here
lived a great streetsweeper who did his job well." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
God's Word: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with
the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power
for ever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:11
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