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October 2009 Archives

October 1, 2009

October 1993 Dear God Letter

(Jonathan is 13)
October, 1993

Dear God,
Yet again, I have been thrown or tempted into this. I don't even really enjoy it that much anymore. Old habits die hard. Why does it have to have been me? I know that answer. How can I possibly have that much power? I'm really trying to believe it but it's hard.

Continue reading "October 1993 Dear God Letter" »

October 2, 2009

November 1993 Letter To God

(Jonathan is 13)
November, 1993

Dear Giver Of Direction,

Life down here is okay, but I've hit a few roadblocks. The first is the most obvious. I can't seem to set aside time for you. I have time for TV, homework, friends, acting, sports, whatever. Right now, you're like a friend that I take for granted. I don't have to spend time doing things with or for you, but when I need your help, you come running to my side. Night or day, I know I can count on you. I'm sorry that I haven't spent time with you. When I'm truly with you, I'm happier than I could ever be with anyone else. I'll do my best to ensure that there's more time with you from now on.

What does love feel like? Am I experiencing love with or for Kristina? If I am, should our relationship go further? Help me to know what to do.

Continue reading "November 1993 Letter To God" »

October 3, 2009

There is a light: A Poem

November 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

There is a light
it isn't new
it keeps away the night
and shows people what to do

It gives people a guidance
and gives people room to grow
it protects them like a lance
and can have a striking blow

Continue reading "There is a light: A Poem" »

October 4, 2009

November 1993: On Decisions

November 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

It's amazing how much reactions and words can mean. It's like everything I ever do will affect me in the future. Whether I choose to get dressed before or after I eat breakfast. Or something like choosing drugs or not. Obviously that's a bigger decision, but all of it, all of it, affects mine and others' futures.

October 5, 2009

Anointed

ANOINTED
November 1993

Life is strange, When you walk down the street,
seeing the faces, of people you meet.
You seem to see, then look and find,
that not everyone is always kind.

Some people are pushed, and thrown on the ground,
and then you hear the disheartening sound,
of crying and whining, a constant plea,
"Will you help you,
or will you help me?"

Continue reading "Anointed" »

October 6, 2009

Fire in the Sky

Winter 1993
Jonathan is 14
(Unfinished Poem)

Fire in the Sky

I see the street
I know it well
I walk it tonight
like a street from hell
I have come
from your grave
where I wonder
if you've been saved
I get to the door
and remove the key
I see a man shot
across the street
and as I open
the brass knocker door
I see a dead world
"should I try anymore?
Is it worth it
to do my best
or should I give up
on the never-ending test?"

Continue reading "Fire in the Sky" »

October 7, 2009

I Always Need Your Help

November 1993

Giver of direction,
I always need your help, and I never help you in return. I've decided to make a list of ways that I can thank you

Continue reading "I Always Need Your Help" »

October 8, 2009

Confused

POEM: Confused
December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

Confused

Confused about life,
confused about dreams.
Confused when there's no fish
swimming in streams.

Confused about danger,
confused about fear.
Confused when there's no way
to hide a tear.

Continue reading "Confused" »

October 9, 2009

Confusion With Girls: December 1993

Early part of December, 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

Dear God,
I'm very confused. Jackie or Kristina, Kristina or Jackie, Jackie or Kristina, Kristina or Jackie. Did Jesus ever get approached by women, or did he ever approach a woman? I doubt it. Why does Jackie have so much of an effect on me? Is it the light? Maybe so. I don't know what I should do. I get the feeling I should call, and maybe I should try to get to know her better so that I might be a better judge of deciding between the two.

Continue reading "Confusion With Girls: December 1993" »

October 10, 2009

Regarding Chuck 'E' Cheese Shootings

(regarding Chuck 'E' Cheese Shootings, where a young man went in and shot people at a Chuck'E'Cheese Restaurant. This was an event that had a profound effect on me.)
December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

POLICE SAY THE FEAR SHOULD DIMINISH AFTER THE ARREST. NO WAY.

JUST NOT FAIR

Continue reading "Regarding Chuck 'E' Cheese Shootings" »

October 11, 2009

It Has To Change: Chuck E Cheese Shootings

(regarding Chuck 'E' Cheese Shootings, where a young man went in and shot people at a Chuck'E'Cheese Restaurant. This was an event that had a profound effect on me.)
December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

it's hit just too close to home this time. It has to change.

Are you going to wait for it to hit so close to home that you can't do anything about it? The time is now. Stop it so that it can't hurt you before it's too late. There are too many "accidents." We have to speak out. Not if you buy themselves, but one. One body of people United for all causes, but especially against violence of any type. It's intolerable. We have to unite as one.

Continue reading "It Has To Change: Chuck E Cheese Shootings" »

October 12, 2009

Saint Nicholas

December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

There is a Santa Claus.
His name is God.

St. Nicholas
follower of Jesus

October 13, 2009

Where am I headed? December 20, 1993

December 20, 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

Where am I headed?
This thing inside me wants to get out and help all everywhere.
Am I meant to save, or to be "normal"
or to be soft-spoken working for you
or to yell out against people against you?

Continue reading "Where am I headed? December 20, 1993" »

October 14, 2009

Tonight I Am Sad

December 22, 1993 (late night)
(Jonathan is 13)

Dear God,
tonight I am sad. Sad, because of the things I see and hear. I'm sad that I have to listen to allegations against people in high places. Sad because Santa is no longer safe to talk to kids in shopping malls. Sad because a company called Viacom puts up 9.6 billion and then QBC puts up 10 billion, both for a slot with Paramount, and yet there will be people sleeping in homeless shelters, on side streets, and in city parks on Christmas Eve.

Continue reading "Tonight I Am Sad" »

October 15, 2009

Happy birthday Jesus!

December 24, 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

Happy birthday Jesus!

Less than 2000 years ago, around this time, Mary and Joseph were searching for a place to stay so that Jesus could be born. Jesus was born, and from then on time went forward. The greatest and most known figure throughout all time is the son of God born from Mary, a virgin. His name is Jesus. Not only a savior and public servant, but also, and mainly, a servant to God. He will last forever and hopefully his wishes, wants, and needs for this time can be granted through me. Amen.

Continue reading "Happy birthday Jesus!" »

October 16, 2009

Some Push Physically

Some push physically, others push verbally.

Neither is okay.

October 17, 2009

It's Time To Stop The Sorrow

December 1993
(Jonathan is 13)

-Untitled-
I can't believe it's happened,
it's starting all over again.
Nothing's changed,
and their world's the same,
but to you it looks like the end.

Your friend has fallen down,
and will never again get up.
Someone is born,
another is scorned,
but it seems you've run out of luck.

Continue reading "It's Time To Stop The Sorrow" »

Right and Wrong

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

There is an insurmountable difference between right and wrong

October 18, 2009

Sometimes it's easier to see in the dark

Ruminations from January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Can't just stand by and let it happen.

Don't say it's going to get worse. Do something about it to make it better.

Sometimes it's easier to see in the dark.

It sometimes seems like our lives are a constant battle for power.

Those who do right and listen inside will emerge as the victors.

October 19, 2009

Inner Light 2

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Inner Light (2)

I had a vision of a man one night,
he was walking in a dream.
He pulled out a little charm,
it was like nothing I'd ever seen.

Continue reading "Inner Light 2" »

October 20, 2009

January 1994

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,

What is going on? There's something inside of me and I feel like I just keep packing it down. What do I have to do to let it out?

In the past, columns have satisfied this thing for a while. I can tell that it will be wonderful once it's out. But how I started is the question.

I envision this little bubble of light inside of me that grows whenever I do something for you. Several times, it almost came out, but it was especially at these times, when outside sources tempted me. Once I agree and give in to that temptation, it's like a giant fist comes crunching down my throat and returns that light to its normal size. The time for it to come out is now? But I've got to make it grow enough? And be able to resist temptation when it happens.

So, God, your turn, again. Help me to make this light grow. It is going to take three to four months, and I know that. Help me to do things that you would want me to do.

Holy Spirit, help me to recognize what the temptation(s) are, and when they are coming.

Jesus, help me to work through the Temptations. Show me the way to the Bible when I start to get into these temptations, and give me messages through the Bible that will help me to not give in.

Mary, help me to do my best to understand other people and what they do. Sometimes it gets very confusing, and I feel you have the love and understanding to translate why people do the things that they do.

Help me through the next few months.
Show me how to let the slight emerge from me.
Help me to stay away from temptation, and to recognize it when it's trying to get at me.

Continue reading "January 1994" »

October 21, 2009

Complain less, bless more

January 1994
(Jonathan is 13)

Complain less, bless more.

I'm going to Manilla in 95. That's it. No questions, I'm going. (In relation to World Youth Day 1995 - I didn't end up going.)

Continue reading "Complain less, bless more" »

October 22, 2009

Let me carry out your purpose for me

January 16, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Who am I to deserve you? You do so much for me. I can only hope and pray that with what I'm about to do in the upcoming months, I will begin to repay you for all your gifts to me, but especially the gift of life. Help me to respect you and not disgrace or embarrass myself by sinning.

Continue reading "Let me carry out your purpose for me" »

October 23, 2009

Born Again

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

You have to be born to achieve life
you have to be born again to achieve eternal life

Anyone who is not born both ways will not go to heaven.

From the time, we are born, to the time we are born again, we are growing mentally, just as we grew physically in our mothers.

We are born, and then have to achieve rebirth.

October 24, 2009

Is anybody there, does anybody care

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

There are two types of people. Those with commitment, and those who acquire other's commitment.

Is anybody there, does anybody care, does anybody see what I see?
It wants us to quit, and it wants us to stop our fight, but to violence I say goodnight.

October 25, 2009

Here I am at the NET retreat

January 21, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,

Here I am at the NET retreat.

I feel you here, but somehow it's lacking reverence. Help these kids to know and understand you. That you're not just some person that their mom or dad makes them go to church every weekend for. Help them to recognize you as more than a person that can help them throughout their life and struggles. When they confide in you, they will truly know your power. Help me to show people like this who you are. I'm not sure how I will do it, but I know that with your help, I will be able to accomplish this, my task, for you.

Continue reading "Here I am at the NET retreat" »

October 26, 2009

True World

POEM: True World
(Jonathan is 14)

True World
Dear God,
"What happened today?
Was this your plan?
Who killed them?
Was it by your hand?
Who caused this madness?
Why were they killed?
Who thought this idea?
Was it by your will?"

Continue reading "True World" »

October 27, 2009

Air Strikes

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

HOW ARE AIR STRIKES GOING TO STOP KILLING?

October 28, 2009

Being close to God

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

I have met Sister Thea Bowman
I've been close enough to Mother Teresa to shake her hand
I've been within 25 or 30 feet of the Pope for an extended period of time
none of it even compares with being close to God.

A Dream Of Differences

June 26 1994
(Jonathan is 13)

LAST NIGHT I HAD A DREAM
A DREAM
A DREAM OF CONFUSION
A DREAM OF DIFFERENCES
DIFFERENCES IN LIFE
DIFFERENCES IN WATER
DIFFERENCES IN EXPECTATIONS
DIFFERENCES IN TAKING IT AS IT COMES
DIFFERENCES IN PEOPLE
DIFFERENCES IN LOVE
BUT IN THERE WERE THESE DIFFERENCES
I FOUND SOMETHING ELSE IN MY DREAM
MY DREAM
MANY OF THE DIFFERENCES I HAD FOUND
WERE NOT DIFFERENCES AT ALL
THESE THAT HAD APPEARED TO ME AS DIFFERENCES
WERE ACTUALLY THINGS THAT WERE THE SAME

October 29, 2009

It's been a while

January 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,
It's been a while since I've written a letter. I've also found other ways to pray now. Of course, you know that.

Why can't I stop? Why don't I listen to you when you tell me to resist temptation and go to the Bible instead? Why do I listen to the temptation?

God, please give me the grace of knowing that you're always with me. Please help me to live my life according to this plan.

You have shown me how to see, and taught me how to hear. Matt 13 Verse 17. Help me to serve you, as I am forever indebted to you. Thank you for giving me what I have. Help me to share it.

Jonathan Kraft

October 30, 2009

Thank you for my writing skills

February 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

God,
Thank you for all you have given me. Friends, good family, people who care. Thank you for the abilities you have given me for this life. Musically, I have been given a great gift, which over time will develop into something much greater. Thank you for the physical abilities you have given me. Especially football. It's an amazing sport (as is any other), if you feel it. Thank you for the ability to see things about other people that they might not even know about themselves. The ability to know what other people are thinking about, but also the ability to help people before they get to their struggle. Most importantly, thank you for my writing skills.

They will impact many, and will hopefully bring them into a closer relationship with you.

Continue reading "Thank you for my writing skills" »

October 31, 2009

I Know What the Answer Is

March 5, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Giver Of Direction,

You can crumple empires with a snap of your fingers. You could make everyone lose in fights. You could do anything. Yet you do so much to lead me where I should go, instead of what temptation takes me. Why are you so subtle? Just a curiosity question.

Continue reading "I Know What the Answer Is" »

About October 2009

This page contains all entries posted to Chronicle at strive4impact.com in October 2009. They are listed from oldest to newest.

September 2009 is the previous archive.

November 2009 is the next archive.

Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.

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