Jason Bedell Online

Well, we left off with my habitual inclination to steal everything in sight and a conquest with women that didn't seem like it would end...

Well, towards the close of my sophomore year- I met her.

She went to another school and I was introduced to her at church. The only reason I went was because girls would be there. In full disclosure, Christian girls were easy prey. They loved God and wanted "every bad boy to be saved" and they were easily manipulated. Now don't get me wrong, not every girl was like that, but check out a Christian college campus sometime. Quite a few people are stumbling in this sexual realm. It's been happening for years.

So, this girl and I started dating and hanging out- ALL THE TIME. My parents thought she was a great influence because she loved God and basically didn't care what I was doing as long as I was with her. Since we spent so much time together, the breaking into cars stopped because I wasn't hanging with those guys as much. Good. I wasn't tempted to get into any illegal drugs or drinking because I was with her. Good. And I was tempted now more than ever to move into the realm of having sex. Not so good.

We pressed the limits for over a year. Never crossing that line, but coming close. It was like dancing on the edge of Hell, only I didn't believe in any of that mess. I really did not care. So there were no real consequences for me in my reality. Finally, after much peer pressure to seal the deal, we did.

The pattern of behavior was consistent, but the thing that strikes me looking back on it- was the Christian response. Everyone turned on us. Condemned us. Hated us (some of their words, not mine). They told youth sponsors, talked about us behind our back, shunned us at youth group. It was pretty bad. They would say hi and be cordial, but behind their talk and eyes the true colors shown through. Then hearing through AIM (aol instant messenger for you folks out of touch with the 21st century) that people were talking about us made it even worse.

Now more than ever, I couldn't stand God or Christians. I thought they were fake, rude, obnoxious, and just down right scum. I basically stopped going to church for a brief time, hung out with friends, dropped back into the old routine of life when not with m girlfriend- and waited out high school so I could pursue my dream of being a graphic artist.

That was until the summer of 1997, then God did some unreal things in my life...