“Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together.” – Paul Ryan
It’s 12 : 04 PM on day 1693 of my journey towards independence and I’ve managed to brush my teeth, pray, read Daniel 4, publish my Disability of the Day feature, publish my Kid of the Week feature, feed myself French toast with banana for breakfast, learn one new thing –Group name [of hyenas]:Clan– Educate Generations campaign–$2 774 raised so far 
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Today marks the seven month anniversary of my Educate Generations campaign benefiting the Malala Fund so far fifty-three people (including me and my parents) have made seventy-eight donations totalling $2 774 I continue to be humbled by the world’s support. Thank you Juliet Parrott-Merrell and Ann Blackburn-Pann, Nancy Scott, Meg Guegan, Ellen Seidman, Madalina Cristea, Bruce Sallan, Catherine Cook, Stan Faryna, Clare Donaldson, Barbara Royce, Duane Dell’Oca, Priya Thomas, Susan Mazza, Justina Valentine, Simon Magid, Emma Lambert, Sylvia Phillips, Nan Marvell, Nisa Thomas, Laurieann Janssens,Vincent Ang, Sarah Britten, Francoise Van Rheede, Britt Michaelian, Diane Liggett, Wayne Mansfield, Robin Schwartz, Marlene Hester, Jim Mahar, Beverly Bernhardt, Juliana Mullan, Marie Wikle, Rema Mathews, Giuliana Bland, Gaye Crispin, Paul and Kathleen Springer, Julie Faughnan, Paul Angone, Tim Fargo, Niki Chiles, Caryn Gootkin, Jasmin Egner and Martin Langosch, Peter Yobo, Kevin Brooks, Mythri Sharath and everyone else who chose to donate anonymously for your generous donations. Thank you Gaynor Young, Joubert Botha, Emma Lambert, Stan Faryna, Marianne Tarkusep, Kelly Hengler, Ashlyn Singh, Cazanne’Z, Paul and Kathleen Springer, Laurieann Janssens, Anita Cameron, Sharon Glenn, Madalina Cristea, @itsanidealworld, and everybody else for helping spread the word about this campaign.
[Update October 3 2015: Campaign over. Final total raised is $5 285]
Daniel 4 is a powerful chapter.
God puts a terrible curse upon King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon – a man of unequaled power, wealth and pride for his time. Nebuchadnezzar’s lack of belief in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is irrelevant. The consequence of sin applies equally to believer, unbeliever, atheist, scientist, etc.
God removes Nebuchadnezzar from his power, wealth and station; He sends demons to take hold of Nebuchadnezzar and force him to live in the wilds like a beast – not unlike the man who was demonized by 2000 demons which Jesus had cleansed.
Nebuchadnezzars’ greatest sin, Daniel tells us, is his lack of compassion for the poor. And failing to repent and do mighty works for the poor, Nebuchadnezzar is punished, cursed and made a beast.
Hereby, we learn that God judges our sin today AND He will Judge us again on the Day of the Lord. Beyond the fear of hell fire, we must understand that God blesses us and curses us right now according to what we do and fail to do – regardless of our belief or unbelief.
Daniel 4 gives us the answer to the eternal question of why is there loss, misery, pain, disease, suffering and evil in our lives. Our sorrows are the consequence of our present sins – personally and collectively. However, there is hope for us just as there was hope for Nebuchadnezzar. We can repent, we can do good works, and our trials can teach us to fear the Lord as we should.
It’s a great chapter