Chronicle at strive4impact.com

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Shining Bright
There he is as he stands on a stage.
Then he hears the music's growing fade.
He begins to turn a lifelong page,
and he sees the resilient color of jade.

He moves to his chair and begins to sing,
he climbs a great stair and hears the music ring.
He slowly rises and moves to the front
He has his message, beautiful, but blunt
He says the passage and feels a rush.
He says the last line and wants to let the tears gush.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

All physical life is born from a connection and the life inside is also born from a connection. Life is a connection with God.

March 10, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,

I don't know what'll happen to me. I'm not sure how this will turn out, I'm not sure I even understand it, but I know that with your help, would ever needs to happen will. The good of the people will come through.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

What are we doing building a $2.3 billion airport when there's homeless, when there's volunteers who should be paid, when there...

July 1994
Jonathan is 14

A plant doesn't grow and will eventually die if it has no water.

Likewise, if a plant doesn't have enough water, then it can not share any to produce fruit.

July 1994
Jonathan is 14

The girl who could talk with her eyes

Sometimes it takes more strength to give up in a fight.

If you do what you like,
You'll like what you do.

March 22, 1994
(Jonathan is 13)

Dear God,

What a day. So many struggles causing so much disbelief. Satan does his best to turn the faithful away from you. He is fighting kids from the inside and out. He pushes up the shield for them and then tries to destroy the true person, the person you made, while it's on the inside. In many, the inner light never shines.

That, I know, is why I am here. To let the inner- person out so that people say what they believe instead of believing what they say.

I have taken the first step towards leading Nathan and Elise back to you. Now help me to make the second step and not be afraid of what might be said to me giving them the means to get back to you.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Identity
The mask of people,
destroys who we are,
the mask of people
will keep us from going far.
The mask of the people,
hides our true face,
the mask of the people,
separates by race.
When we define people,
by color and creed,
all we are left with,
is money and greed.
Someone dictates,
another doesn't care.
When are we going to break down our walls?
When are we going to share?
What has happened to us?
Why don't we listen,
to the voice deep inside
instead of forgettin'
that we're all here together,
like it or not.
You're killing potential,
when one of them's shot.
Struck down to the ground,
forever there to remain.
"Your honor, don't you see?
I was temporarily insane."

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

How about stopping them before they're convicted three times?

Every step I take I think is the right one, but when my foot is planted I find that the ground is looser than before or I step down on a nail or a rock, which makes my foot sore. Will the next step I take the right one for me?

Will the next step I take
be the right one for me?
Will I be my true self
instead of what people see?
Will I find a path
no one is trod on before
or am I walking
to a locked door

I step on something sharp
I look and see a stone
I want to sit down
and rest my tired bones
but I have to keep walking
my own separate path
through all my troubles
despite all the mishap
I have to get others
to follow where I go
but it has to be done
without putting on a show

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14 - and totally smitten with a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

To Jackie;

Love poems written
in the past
have shared memories
that would last

For us, there is but one
memory there
but I hope that's not all
that we share

Waiting for you
to come to me
is something I can't afford
a luxury
because if I didn't see you
at least once again
I could never see
another woman
without thinking of you
and the presence you gave
walk him that night
on a cold street paved

Without seeing you
or knowing your true face
I tend to think
I'll lose my place

Lost in life
without knowing you
it will be hard
to make it through

I can't live without
your voice that I hear
without it I lose
my hope and I fear
facing tomorrow
without you my side
and without I'd lose
the ability to try

Everything about you
a bad thing, I couldn't say
all I think about is
our want to see you today
I'm following what I feel
inside my heart
and I hope that's where
will find our start

In a world of hope,
Faith, and care,
I hope there's something
more that we share

Love

March 23, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Daddy Bruce Randolph
With a heart of gold, he did what God told.

- - - - - - - - -
If people would quit complaining about being in the minority, we would all be in the majority of human people fighting to become something much greater.
- - - - - - - - -
Overcome
To Martin Luther King
-Let us keep the dream alive-

We shall overcome
without violence, without hate.
We shall overcome,
and not use others as the bait.
Where'd the spirit go?
a different cause, yes,
but we've laid down on the job,
and forgotten about the rest.
The violence which surrounds us now,
hurts us even more.
In the end, it will kill us all,
and hurt us more than the worst war.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

What you feel in your heart,
is more important than your head.
What you write is more important,
than what you've read.
When you feel the beat,
of the heart inside your soul,
you can achieve any important dreams or goals.
The feeling you get,
when you know your true self,
is the feeling of a heart,
unaffected by wealth.
One that has peace,
or a better people in mind,
is one who is great,
because of a heart that is kind.

What you feel in your heart,
is more important than your head.
What you say is more important,
than what you've said.
You must strive for this goal,
each and every day;
to say what you believe,
instead of believing what you say.

What you feel in your heart,
is more important that your head.
What you do when you're alive,
will determine how you're dead.
You have a choice now,
to live in wealth and fame,
and even when you mess up,
to never take the blame.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Tradition and life
brought around without strife
like husband and wife
is tradition and life

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Where the Angels Play Ball
This is the place,
where the angels play ball.
They play when people hear their call.

They play with us,
as we walk through life,
and they help lead us through all strife.

Leading us to the place we should go,
that, put simply, is the angels' goal.

To help us through the troubles we find.
At the end of the day,
they clear our minds.

The most powerful person on Earth will fall,
when the angels come to play ball.

They let us take control,
and catch us when we fall,
that is why the angels have come to play ball

When people need to know what to do,
or need some help tying their shoe,
or maybe need help finding out who,
The angels also then play for you.

Want to know how to contact them?
Simply contact Jesus.
The angels are his gems.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,

Thank you for the power to impact. There were quite a few examples of the impact I'm beginning to have on others. I thank you for choosing me to help people through the struggles that life may bring. Thank you for putting just in thing elsewhere, he was so that Amy didn't die.

Call tomorrow night run smooth. (Help our brochures, not to be turned into paper airplanes! - talking about the launch of the newspaper "Tomorrow's Leaders for Peace") Help everyone to take our cause and us seriously. Help us to have an impact.

March 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

I'm writing to tell you
what I plan to do
if you don't like it,
I guess that's fine too.

But those who believe
what you're about to read
follow me
we'll be together peacefully, in eternity,

April 12, 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and still heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

WHERE'S THE ROSE NOW?
IS IT STILL THERE?
IF IT IS
WHERE CAN I FIND IT, WHERE?

DEEP INSIDE,
I KNOW IT'S BEEN FROZEN
IT JUST SITS THERE
LEFT UNCHOSEN
WITH ONE DELICATE TOUCH,
IT COULD CRACK
IT MIGHT SHATTER
WITH A SIMPLE STEP BACK

I'm too scared to move
so I sit at a standstill
staring at the Rose, I wonder
why is it I don't feel a chill?
The sun is shining,
but the roses shaded
by a cloud
its colors faded.

Rose, please,
feel the shining sun
you will see
a wonderful relationship has begun

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

In all aspects of life, there is a need for peace. It starts in the home and branches out to the community. We're not necessarily just talking about physical violence, but were also talking about things that cause physical violence. Things like putdowns, things like discrimination.

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Jesus --
Don't leave Earth without him.

Don't be caught dead without Jesus

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and still heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

What am I to do
sitting here alone
thinking about just you
I want to sing, but don't know which tune
do you have any feelings for me
am I just dreaming
is it possible for you to see
the things that I am feeling?

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and is still heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

Every time I'm away from her,
I feel alone inside my heart

If she died, a part of me would die also
because there will always be a part of her in me

Only God knows how much I love her

Love can build a bridge
if God is love,
then God can build a bridge

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and is heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

What is this
this presence I feel
coming from her
is it something real
it's unlike anything
I'm able to explain
and perhaps it's that presence
that's causing me this pain

May 1, 1994
(Jonathan is 14, and is still heartbroken over a girl named Jackie who he met at World Youth Day in Summer 1993)

Jackie,
I do not know whether or not you'll ever see this letter. I pray that you someday will

Let me tell you why a like you so much. It goes far beyond the way you look.

In my life, I have had three experiences in which I felt a presence of another person before I had seen them.

You were the third

I can't explain this feeling, anymore than to say it's very compelling. It draws me towards you and makes me feel like I shouldn't be anywhere but with you. I don't expect you to understand it, because I'm not sure that I do.

To any who may someday read this. My name is Jonathan Kraft. These poems are a small reflection of something much greater inside of me. I have many thoughts, feelings, and expressions to share with the world. God has given me a voice that many have. A voice louder than words. I will do my best to show others that they have this voice also, and when they find out what that voice is, the world will be a much better place. A place that will be filled with all who care about others and know that they have the potential to make the world a better place. Enjoy these poems. I hope that they help you to find out who your voice truly is.

-Jonathan Kraft
May 2, 1994

May 19-20, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,
so much, so much, so much. I can't believe it all is starting, to make tomorrow a better place. I don't know about girls. I wonder about the way in which I should write. I think about so many things, and yet, at times, it seems as though I think about nothing.

I can see that Rachel either has some developing feelings for me, or she already likes me. I'm not sure what I should do. I don't know why, but something feels a little strange about this whole situation. I really don't know what to do. Show me please. (Maybe it's just a part of growing up.)

May 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Does the slow song have to end?

People forget about the inner light because of worldly limits.

If God is for you, and he is, and if you dwell in him, then God will be for you and who can be against you when God is for you?

June 1, 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Dear God,

Part of the power of one, or maybe the main part, is the power of impact. The power that we have to impact something, or someone.

I thank you for giving me the power of one and the power of impact.

Help me to use it to the fullest of my ability.

Jonathan

THANK YOU ALSO FOR THE CROWN OF KNOWLEDGE

June 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

In this time of life
Don't think of things that make you weary
And forget about a midnight dreary
Instead think of dreams of your wonderland
And the magical spirit it gives
Because when the spirit knows it's true dreams
It then truly lives.

July 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Potential (Tools to Aid the Soul)

I look at people,
and see in them so much potential.
Potential to do whatever they want
Potential to make good things happen for all
They have this potential,
and I see it when
I look at people

July 1994
Jonathan is 14
Slept outside. Had a dream. In the dream I was listening to the radio and heard a beautiful song. DJ came on and said it was called "Tender Little Moments."