Every Perfect Gift (From the Father of Lights)
Michael Jude Schauer
Nonfiction / Devotional
Word Count: 47555
Brief Description
Every Perfect Gift is a 52-week Christian devotional that helps young readers encounter God through the awe-inspiring details of His creation. Each week highlights a fascinating topic from science and the natural world of animals, in addition to bi-weekly topics (The human brain, lightning, the ocean, flight, the unseen world of gravity, air, and magnetism, sound, the human eye, etc.) Science and clear biblical truths are connected with spiritual applications. Rather than separating science from faith, this devotional reveals how creation itself reflects the wisdom, creativity, and intentional design of a creative, loving, and holy God. Each weekly theme includes: compelling facts from science and nature, a connection to a scripture passage or passages, a devotional reflection, a brief prayer, and a Did You Know? section. This devotional bridges a growing gap between science curiosity and and biblical discipleship for young readers (8-12) However, readers 8-80 who desire knowledge about science and animals in particular, and who also wish to grow spiritually will find this devotional fascinating. It is designed for pre-teens, teens, and even young adults who are naturally inquisitive about how the world works, helping them to see the wonder, creation, and design of a loving God whose greatest creation is themselves. Hopefully, the young reader will be encouraged to see the fingerprints of God in every part of creation—from the smallest cell to the vastness of the universe.
Synopsis
To date, I have 98 days written, with 7 Wonder, Creation, and Design pages for a total of 105 topics. More can be added as soon as I know what is needed by different publishers. Some want a devotional capped at around 100 while others want a full year of 365 entries. I also envision pictures of each animal on the facing page if that is possible. The pattern that I chose for this work is two weeks of animal study, then an exploration into another amazing area of God’s magnificent creation. So, the devotional begins with an introduction followed by Seven Days of Cats. This first week is followed by Seven Days of Dogs. After the first two weeks of daily devotions, I offer a break to include the first of the Wonder, Creation, and Design pages: The Brain. It is a time out from animal studies to focus on a different aspect of God’s amazing creation. I follow this with two more weeks of animal studies. Seven Days of Monkeys and Apes, then Seven Days of Birds, then the second Wonder, Creation, and Design topic, Lightning. I continue this pattern throughout the devotional. Every subject points to God as the master architect of the Universe, while continually pointing to the fact that the reader is indeed the highest and most cherished of all God’s creations. I tried to mix known animals with obscure facts with obscure animals with relatively unknown facts to heighten interest. Animal study was always the highlight of the school day with 8 and 9 year olds. Children have an almost magnetized attraction to the study of the animal kingdom, and now I have the opportunity to share the Creator behind the creations. I can easily expand the devotional to cover every day of the year if needed. I had fun writing Seven Days of famous animals which included Lassie, Flipper, Toto, Willy, Babe, Siver, and Koko.
Writer's Edge Notes
A really lively book that takes note of God’s created wonders to turn kids’ attention to worship the Lord. Thoughtfully and well prepared by a third-grade teacher who knows how to talk to kids.
Sample Chapters
Every Perfect Gift
From the Father of Lights
God made everything! He made the earth-warming sun, and He made the powerful elephant. He made the life-giving trees, and He made the comical, towering giraffe. He made the dinosaurs that roamed the earth, and He made the hard-working ant. He placed each brilliant star in the sky, and He made the bounding kangaroo. He placed the majestic blue whale in the ocean, and He gave the male cricket its chirp. But His greatest creation and His crowning achievement was when He made you and me! God’s imagination has no limits; His creativity knows no bounds. Consider the quasar. A quasar is an extremely bright, distant object in space powered by matter falling into a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy. Astronomers define a quasar as: A type of active galactic nucleus that emits enormous amounts of energy. Enormous is an understatement! A quasar is like a giant firehose spraying out energy so intense that one second of output dwarfs the total energy needs of planet Earth across unimaginable timescales. In other words, just one second of energy emitted from a bright quasar could power all of Earth’s energy needs for 17 quintillion years! That’s 17 followed by 18 zeroes! That is inconceivable power. God made quasars! Why? I couldn’t begin to understand. Maybe, He just wanted to show us a glimpse of His majestic ability. We can’t even begin to imagine that kind of power, and yet, He also made the blue morpho butterfly. This gorgeous butterfly has wings with microscopic scales that reflect light. Colors can shift depending on the viewing angle. Its wings are also very thin and extremely delicate. Thickness of the wing’s membrane is only one thousandths of a millimeter. That’s thinner than a human hair! So, whether it is the energy of a quasar or the intricate details of a butterfly’s wing, the question we should all be asking is, “Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11
Seven Days of Cats
Day One: The Lion
The Swahili word for lion is simba, which means king. The male lion, with its powerful build, golden coat, and flowing mane, has a regal and majestic appearance. He stands proud like an ancient and noble king. Every movement is deliberate, every glance commanding. The lion is an apex predator, which means it is at the very top of the food chain. A lion’s roar can be heard five miles away and has been recorded at 114 decibels, 25 times louder than a gas-powered lawn mower. Its roar is not just a sound; it is a proclamation! Lions are the most social of the big cats and are the only cats that live in groups, which are called prides. Some ancient Egyptian pharaohs even kept lions as pets. King John (1199-1216) began keeping exotic animals in the Tower of London to put his influence and dominance on full display. Records show lions were the centerpiece of his royal menagerie. Why? Because they represented absolute power and authority.
To be “lionhearted” means to be brave, daring, and fearless. In the book of Joshua 1:6-7 it says, “I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage…” We are commanded to be courageous because we have the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus himself at our side, who promised that He would never leave us. In verse 9 of Joshua chapter 1 it is dramatically repeated. “Have I not commanded? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” What a promise! What a pledge! What a blessed assurance! And as Aslan the great lion from the Chronicles of Narnia said, “Courage, dear heart… Every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
Day 2: The Snow Leopard
Unlike the lion, the snow leopard has no roar. Instead, they communicate by chuffing, which is a soft, friendly purring sound. But they do growl and yowl a bit. They are part of the big cat family, but quieter and much more mysterious. And unlike the sociable lion, the snow leopard lives mostly alone. Seeing one in the wild is extremely rare. Even researchers can spend years without spotting one. While lions are considered to be kings of the savanna, snow leopards are more like phantoms of the peaks. Their big, fluffy tails act as a tightrope balancing pole on cliffs, and they also wrap around their faces like a built-in blanket or scarf. Their tails also store fat reserves for harsh winters. Since they are a high-altitude animal, they must rely on efficient breathing, thick blood oxygen capacity, and large nasal passages that warms the air before it reaches their lungs. Their tracks in the snow get erased almost immediately in the windy terrain. That is another reason they’ve earned the nickname, “ghosts of the mountain.”
Just like the snow leopard, we are called to be a high-altitude creature. It says in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” The magnificent snow leopard lives according to the laws of the mountain, breathing in the crisp, clean air of the high places. And we are called to live according to the laws of God’s Kingdom. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. So, how do you become a high-altitudechild of God? Here is one way. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable- if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Day 3: The Jaguarundi
Unlike most wild cats, the Jaguarundi is diurnal, which means it is awake in daylight. It walks and hunts in the light. The jaguarundi thrives in the light. This fascinating cat doesn’t look like a typical feline. If you saw one roaming about in the jungles of Mexico or South America, you might mistake it for a weasel or otter rather than a classic feline. This cat is long, with a slender body, short legs, and small rounded ears. It walks in the light of day and is very adaptable. It eats a wide range of prey and can live in forests, scrublands, wetlands, and even near humans. Even though it loves the daylight, the jaguarundi is quiet and rarely seen. He prefers not to live a life that is loud or visible. He is not the strongest cat, nor the flashiest or famous, but he endures, adapts, and quietly lives the life it was made for. He is a humble cat that enjoys lower elevations with thick cover. Someone once said, “Humility is the quiet place where the soul bows low enough to hear God clearly.” The jaguarundi loves two things: the quiet low places and the brightness of light. Maybe this is where they hear God clearly.
God teaches us many things while using the jaguarundi as an example. First, it doesn’t look like a typical cat. Not everything or everyone God makes fits our expectations. Secondly, The jaguarundi is active during the day, walking in the light. Jesus said in John 9:4, “I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” Then in 1 Thessalonians 5:5 it says, “You are all children of the light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” And thirdly, This is one very adaptable cat! He can live anywhere and eat anything, and yet still thrive. God calls us to be faithful wherever we are and in whatever situation we may find ourselves. “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Philippians 4:11. And finally, the jaguarundi is quiet and rarely seen. Not every life is loud and visible. This cat echoes the beauty of quiet faithfulness. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
Day 4: The Fishing Cat
The fishing cat lives in some interesting, water-rich environments. These cats prefer places like marshes, swamps, and mangrove forests, and can be found in Southeast Asia, especially India and Bangladesh. It is one of the few wildcats that actively hunts in water. These harvesters of the sea are about 2-3 feet long and weigh between 11-35 pounds. Its coat is grayish-olive with dark spots and stripes. These patterns help it blend into reeds, grasses, and muddy water edges. Oh, and the fishing cat has partially webbed toes, too, which help to make it an excellent swimmer. It also has a slightly flattened tail that helps it balance in water. It has a waterproof-like coat as well. This helps when it dives for fish with sudden plunges. It strikes when the moment is just right. This fisherman is extremely patient, quiet, observant, and precise. The fishing cat is a skillful wader and a quick dipper. Just like a master angler, its patience pays off when it nabs a fat, juicy fish for his dinner.
The fishing cat lives in a rhythm that we would do well to follow. It waits. It watches. Then it moves, always trusting in the skills that it was given. The Bible says, “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5. There is strength in waiting and wisdom in preparing. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31. Stillness isn’t wasted time; it’s preparation. Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Waiting on the Lord, like a fishing cat waiting on his dinner, involves patience, trust, hope, and dependence on God. Abraham waited about 25 years for God’s promise of a son (Genesis 12-21). Joseph waited roughly 13 years from his dreams to becoming ruler in Egypt. Moses spent 40 years in Midian before God called him to lead Israel (Exodus 2-3). And Joshua and Caleb waited another 40 years to enter the promised land.
Day 5: The Pallas’s Cat
High in the cold, rocky landscapes of Central Asia lives a small, round-faced cat with thick fur and piercing eyes. The Pallas’s cat can be found in Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan, living in extremely harsh, exposed environments. This sturdy, roughneck cat lives among the rocky outcrops. They face strong winds and freezing temperatures, with very little cover. This cat has been provided with one of the densest fur coats of any feline, protecting it from the brutal cold. Instead of trees or dense cover, the Pallas’s cat relies on rocks and abandoned burrows for protection. This amazing and resilient cat has been provided everything it needs to survive. It stays low, moves slowly and carefully, enduring what most creatures avoid. The Pallas’s cat stands firm and never gives up. It perseveres under every trial it faces.
During his Antarctic expedition, Ernest Shackleton faced brutal, seemingly impossible conditions. He faced freezing temperatures and isolation with no escape and no one to rescue him and his men. At one point his ship was crushed by ice, leaving his crew stranded and exposed to the cruel and savage elements. Just like the Pallas’s cat, Shackleton didn’t give up. He led his men on a month-long journey across ice and sea. Every man survived because of Shackleton’s guidance and perseverance. Just like Shackleton and the Pallas’s cat, we will face hardships in our life. But we are called to endure whatever situation we may find ourselves in. We are called to persevere while trusting in God’s plan for us. It is only then that we can rest in His love. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.
Day 6: The Sunda Clouded Leopard
The Sunda clouded leopard is an extremely rare rainforest predator. It is estimated that there are less than 5,000 across the entire range of Borneo and Sumatra. They are at risk of extinction mainly due to deforestation and habitat loss. This very elusive cat moves about under the thick canopied rainforest and is rarely seen. Being mostly nocturnal, the clouded leopard is comfortable and confident prowling secretly through the darkness of the jungle. This unusual cat is sure-footed in high places as it climbs, balances, and even hangs upside down in trees with ease. Its clouded coat helps it to disappear into the shadowed forest without a trace. This hidden, yet powerful cat spends its isolated days learning useful skills. Without the help of a pack or a pride, this cat learns stealth and patience, waiting long stretches for the perfect moment. It has learned to become an elite climber, hanging upside down from branches and descending headfirst like a squirrel. Most of its time is spent watching, waiting, and trusting when it is the right time to move.
Waiting isn’t an empty exercise. It’s filled with expectation of God’s goodness and plan. Think of the many examples in the Bible of how God prepared people by guiding them through a season of waiting. Joseph’s character was slowly shaped when he became a slave, then a prisoner for years. During this time integrity and patience was formed within him. As a result, his trust in God became unshakable. And then there was David. He was a young shepherd, alone in the fields, and overlooked by his own family. But in that hidden season he learned to be courageous as he fought lions and bears. He also developed in worship as he wrote psalms and hymns and became a master musician. But during his season of waiting, he grew in his reliance on God. The sunda leopard became skillful as well during his quiet, hidden times waiting in the jungle. God’s work in your life doesn’t need to be loud to be real. Growth takes time, but God’s timing is perfect!
Day 7: The Cheetah
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals on earth. They sprint with incredible intensity but then must stop to recover. Cheetahs lock their eyes on one target. They don’t chase everything, just the one thing set before them. Before the sprint, the cheetah moves low, quietly and patiently waiting for the right moment. Then with an incredible burst of speed, the cheetah accelerates from zero to 60 miles an hour in just 3 seconds! At top speed, a cheetah can cover 20-25 feet per stride. Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest human, for comparison, averages 8-9 feet per stride. After the sprint, a cheetah is completely worn out. It must recover or it cannot survive. The cheetah is built for speed, focus, and purpose, but is surprisingly fragile and dependent on rest and recovery.
God calls us to a life of focused devotion, just like the cheetah locking his eyes on a single target. A divided life leads to frustration and confusion. In 1Kings 18:21, Elijah asked all the people, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” The cheetah moves low, quietly waiting and watching. We too, are called to humble ourselves to trust in the Lord in quiet reverence, waiting with great expectation for his plan to unfold. He will reveal when it is the right moment to move. Even as the cheetah must rest and recover to survive after the chase, we too, are called to rely on God’s restoration. In Isaiah 41:10, God promises, “I will strengthen you, yes I will help you …” God will restore your strength, heal what is broken, and give you a future and a hope. Just like the cheetah, we need periods of God’s healing and restoration. In Psalm 23:3 David wrote, “He restoreth my soul …” And just like the cheetah, we rest so we can run again. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus…” Hebrews 12:1-2. We rest to run, and we run to rest. In Him and for Him.
Contents: In the Beginning Genesis 1:1
Seven Days of Cats Seven Days of Birds
The Lion 1 The Superb Lyrebird 22
The Snow Leopard 2 The Oilbird 23
The Jaguarundi 3 Peregrine Falcon 24
The Fishing Cat 4 The Bee Hummingbird 25
The Pallas’s Cat 5 The Arctic Tern 26
The Sunda Clouded Leopard 6 The Cassowary 27
The Cheetah 7 The Tawny Frogmouth 28
Seven Days of Dogs 2. Wonders, Creation, Design (Lightning)
The Sea Wolf 8 Seven Days of Oceanic Wonder
The Finnish Lapphund 9 The Blue Whale 29
The Chihuahua 10 The Bottlenose Dolphin 30
The Otterhound 11 The Beluga Whale 31
The Bedlington Terrier 12 The Sea Otter 32
The English Mastiff 13 The Octopus 33
The New Guinea Singing Dog 14 The Antarctic Ice Fish 34
- Wonder, Creation, Design (Brain) The Leatherback Turtle 35
Seven Days of Monkeys and Apes Seven Days of Reptiles
The Pygmy Marmoset 15 The Panther Chameleon 36
The Mountain Gorilla 16 The Gila Monster 37
The Japanese Macaque 17 The Saltwater Crocodile 38
The Mandrill 18 The Paradise Tree Snake 39
The Blue Monkey 19 The Mary River Turtle 40
The Tapanuli Orangutan 20 The Armadillo Girdled Lizard 41
The Howler Monkey 21 The Jaragua Dwarf Gecko 42
3.Wonder, Creation, and Design: The Unseen World
Seven Days of Equines Seven Days of Rodents
The Mountain Zebra 43 The Beaver 64
The Akhal-Teke (Golden Horse) 44 The Capybara 65
The Shetland Pony 45 The Jerboa 66
The Heart of a Champion 46 The Indian Giant Squirrel 67
The Banker Horses 47 The Mountain Viscacha 68
The Donkey 48 The Lemming 69
Trigger: The Golden Palomino 49 The Naked Mole Rat 70
- Wonder, Creation, and Design (Flight)
Seven Days of Amphibians Seven Days of African Animals
The Axolotl 50 The Giraffe 71
The Glass Frog 51 The African Elephant 72
The Coqui 52 The Shoebill 73
The Purple frog 53 The Rhinoceros 74
The Waxy Monkey Tree Frog 54 The Pangolin 75
The Chinese Giant Salamander 55 The Hippopotamus 76
The Wood Frog 56 The Honey Badger 77
- Wonder, Creation, and Design
(Sound) Seven Days of Famous Animals
Seven Days of Insects Lassie 78
The Synchronized Forest Giant 57 Flipper79
The Praying Mantis 58 Toto 80
The Monarch Butterfly 59 Willy 81
The Honeybee 60 Babe 82
The Ladybug 61 Hi-Ho Silver! 83
The Bullet Ant 62 Koko 84
The Sunset Moth 63 6. Wonder, Creation, and Design (The Human Eye)
Seven Days of Imposters The Brain
Bumblebee Bat 85 Lightning
Mountain Chicken 86 The Unseen World
Bearcat 87 Sound
The Ringtail Cat 88 Flight
Flying Fox 89 The Human Eye
Prairie Dog 90 Water
The Elephant Shrew 91
Seven Days of Extinction
Thylacine 92
Baiji 93
Moa 94
Golden Toad 95
Carolina Parakeet 96
Steller’s Sea Cow 97
Passenger pigeon 98
- Wonder, Creation, and Design
( The Wonders of Water)