Chronicle at strive4impact.com

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

April 1994
(Jonathan is 14)

Jesus --
Don't leave Earth without him.

Don't be caught dead without Jesus

July 1994
Jonathan is 14

Quiet Knowledge
Innocence
Feelings
Impact
Wonderings

Peace War Hate Love

November 1994
Jonathan is 15

Jesus,
Give me the strength to try to help others and not want in return. Let me know when to try to help (always). Let me know how to help. Please. Also, help me to find you in a deeper meaning.

August 1994
A song I heard at a retreat
Jonathan is 14

A story and a song called The Color Angels

Beautiful Blossom Growing
Beautiful Blossom Grow
Beautiful Blossom Growing
Beautiful Blossom Grow

And holy are you
God of the universe
Maker of colors
Maker of mountains
Maker of promises that are true
Holy are you

August 1994
Visiting St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
Jonathan is 14

We stand before the mountains of the world, and wonder how we are supposed to climb them. But it is in climbing those mountains that we reach the top of the mountains of God.
We stand before the mountain of God, and wedo not know what it is we will do. We only know that it will be great.

September 3,1994
Rome, Italy
Jonathan is 14

Dear Giver Of Direction,
Help us, as we venture on this pilgrimage, help us to take back with us what we learn. Help us to be able to look at the incredibleness of what we see here.

Thank-you so much for the reinstatement of hope you have given me. Both through the pope, and through these structures built for you.

September 1994

I used to sit up late at nights and write to someone who had given me more than I could ask for, ever. I didn't know much about details... little things and big things alike, I didn't know about, but it was okay, and it was fun for me to stay up late those nights writing. They helped me discover more of what I'd been given.

Then I began to slip away. I was a Sunday Catholic who really didn't have a statement for life. That time was hard. And the bad thing and strange thing about it was I could have made it so much easier just by finding out who I'd been writing to.

September 1994

I once heard a saying that whatever you have in life is God's gift to you. Whatever you do with what you have is your gift to God.

September 1994

A song I heard in a dream/daydream.

We march for the greater glory of God (GAGFGFEFEDC)
We march within His light.
We march for the greater glory of God
And we shall prevail against the night.

October 1994
Jonathan is 15

I did not know what the date was, though I sometimes wish I did.

For it was on that day that I pledged my life to the Lord.

November 1994
An alternative verse I wrote for a song we sang in church
Jonathan is 15

"I will take the cup of life and call God's name all my days..."

Cantor: How can I call to myself the people that I love?
Choir: Lord, we are your servants, make it known to us, may your will be done, Amen.

December 24, 1994
Jonathan is 15

It's another Christmas Eve. Almost a Christmas.

Thank-you for sending Jesus to the earth so that we all might live eternally. Thank-you for all I have even though I often forget how fortunate I am.

Happy B-day Jesus!

Jonathan Kraft

April 22, 1995
Jonathan is 15

Don't forget Jesus, who appeared in light and was revealed
this is said to those who see him, but still don't feel
Him inside their hearts

4/22/95
I saw Jesus appear on the wall at Ave Maria (Catholic Church).
I feel Jesus in my heart, and will try to remember to see him in others.