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me. I had expected, as a new Christian, to find security and purpose in things —the things I’d based my spiritual life on—going to church, singing in choir, serving as a Young Life club officer. My whole focus was on these things, not on God. My life revolved around temporal values, my own ego and desires.
    About this time, I met Jason Leverton. Jason was a handsome, muscular, and personable guy. With his broad shoulders, serious brown eyes, and thick light-colored hair, he was called the “Blond Flash” by his wrestling teammates for his speed and ability in state champion competition. Jason and I dated regularly and were always together at school and social functions.
    Dad was especially fond of Jason because of his own keen interest in wrestling. It was not surprising for me to play secondfiddle to dad when Jason came to visit. Frequently they would good-naturedly “take on” one another, demonstrating unusual wrestling holds or pins.
    Jason was lots of fun. He and I shared secrets and our plans for the future. We planned to go to college together, probably even get married one day.
    We had a favorite place—a nearby park—where we’d take walks and talk. Jason was also active in Young Life so these times were often used for sharing spiritual thoughts and praying together. Sometimes I’d even climb down the drain pipe outside my bedroom window and meet him after curfew—until mom caught me one night! She made certain I obeyed curfew rules after that.
    It was about the time Jason and I started to get romantically serious that real conflicts started. We both were seniors in high school and knew there were stated limits in expressing our affection for one another. But neither of us had the inner resources capable of dealing with problems of temptation.
    We would often go driving or horseback riding. Many times we’d ride out to an open meadow surrounded by beautiful woods, deep blue skies, and magnificent summer clouds. The sights, sounds, and smells of the country were terribly romantic and erotic. Before we realized what was happening, innocent, youthful expressions of love for one another—hand-holding, hugging, kissing—gave way to caressing, touching, and passions neither of us could control. We wanted to stop, but often when we found ourselves in a secluded spot, we fell into each other’s arms. Our mutual lack of self-restraint bothered us tremendously.
    “Jason—why can’t we stop? What’s wrong with us?” I asked one night.
    “I don’t know. I know we shouldn’t mess around, but—”
    “Jason, we’ve got to stop seeing each other for awhile. It’s the only way. I can’t stop. You can’t either. Every time we get alone, we—uh—we sin. If we’re really serious about repenting ofall this, then we’re just going to have to stay away from each other for awhile so we can avoid temptation.”
    Jason was silent awhile. Then he agreed. “Maybe we should.”
    He suggested that I might enjoy dating his friend Dick Filbert, a sensitive, mature Christian. I guess he thought if I was dating someone else, it might as well be a friend. That way we’d still have an indirect contact.
    Dick was tall, lean, and good-looking—like Jason—but there the similarity ended. Dick was quiet, shy, but more expressive. An aura of casualness surrounded him right down to his worn jeans and moccasins, and his soft voice reflected a peace and serenity. Dick’s eyes, bright and blue, could quiet any storm in my soul, and his presence was a strong, unmoving rock that I could cling to in times of confusion.
    During my senior year, my time was divided between Jason and Dick. I tried to avoid romantic interest in either of them and to treat each as just a good friend. I relaxed by horseback riding, playing records and guitar, and I tried to learn more about the Christian life through Young Life Bible studies. Even my prayer times began to reflect more serious goals.
    I was accepted for the fall term at Western