Here We Stand Student Site | Ask Winking Luther & Katie Lu

Dear Winking Luther, My father and I were never really close. Now our relationship is non-existent. I wish things could be different but they are not. I haven't heard from my father now for eight months. My mother...

Dear Winking Luther, I have a confession to make. When I went to skateboarding camp, my mom said no energy drink. However, I did get energy drinks because my mom wasn't there to stop me. I feel really guilty for lying...

Dear Winking Luther I have this friend who promised me friendship forever, but it hasn't been fulfilled. She keeps ditching me for her older friends. Every time we're alone she says she's just scared of them because she...

Dear Winking Luther, I think politics are stupid, but my parents are obsessed with it. The other problem is that my mom and dad disagreed on who to vote for. Dad liked Obama and Mom liked McCain. They fight about it all...

Dear Winking Luther, I'm at a new school for high school, and I've made a bunch of new friends, but I'm really starting to miss my old ones. I never get to see them or talk to them because the new school is one-half...

Dear Katie Lu, I really don't want to go back to school. I've had a really fun summer with my family. I also got braces AND glasses last month. Most people haven't seen me with my new face. I'm scared that some of the...

Dear Katie Lu, Some of my Christian friends say they are supposed to go to confession, and I know we don't have those little booths in our church. Lutherans do that confession and forgiveness piece from the hymnal...

Dear Winking Luther, Are Christians only supposed to listen to Christian music? Signed, Limited Listener Dear Listener, Here's a question right back at you—what counts as "...

Dear Winking Luther, Some people say that it's wrong to copy digital music from a friend without paying for it, and then other people say that it's not really stealing because no one is taking anything from a store...

Dear Katie Lu, Why don't we say the word "Alleluia" sometimes in church, and then other times we do? This seems like a complicated set of rules. Signed, Learning the Liturgical Language Dear...

Dear Winking Luther, I was reading the Ten Commandments in the Bible and saw the commandment that tells us not to make any images for God. My church has stained glass windows that show pictures of Jesus and symbols for...

Dear Katie Lu, Our church has a "traditional" worship service and a "contemporary" worship service. I know the music is different in each, but aside from that, what's the difference? What do you think is the best way to...

Dear Winking Luther, Should everyone be planning on going to college? Is it the right thing for everyone? Signed, Unsure about University Dear Unsure, This is one of those questions that should...

Dear Katie Lu, I think I'm addicted to "stuff." Every time something new comes out, I have to have it. I'm mostly in to latest technology, but fashion is also something I'm interested in. My parents have a lot of...

Dear Winking Luther, I find myself being really depressed around this time of year. My friends say it's because it's so cold, cloudy, and gloomy. My pastor says that the season of Lent reminds us of our sin. Maybe...

Dear Katie Lu, Valentine’s Day is my least favorite holiday. Nobody does anything special for me. I don’t have a boyfriend. Even my parents don’t do much for Valentine’s Day. I feel that I’m the only person who doesn’t...

Dear Winking Luther, My pastor taught me about the Fourth Commandment last week … something about "honor your father and your mother." My parents are OK, but sometimes I don't like them. Does this mean I'm...

Dear Winking Luther, I know that there's a commandment in the Bible about "honoring your father and mother," but I don't live with both parents. I saw them do and say some pretty nasty things to each other when they...

Dear Katie Lu, Okay.... So I am 12 years old. I am turning 13 this year. I weigh myself and my weight is like 98 pounds. But I am kinda short. I am scared and when I am around everyone, I either untuck my shirt or cover...

Dear Winking Luther, I went to a dinosaur museum recently and have wondered where were dinosaurs in the time of creation? Don't get me wrong here, but I've just never heard people talk about it. I mean were they wiped...

Dear Katie Lu, Do you know how hard it is getting bullied at school? It is very hard. Do you have any advice for me, and if you do, please tell me. Thank you for being there for me to talk to. Signed, Bearing...

Dear Katie Lu, A good friend of mine has been going through a really rough time—a sickness in the family that has put a lot of strain on everyone else. My friend's parents are stressed out to the point of talking...

Dear Katie Lu, I've read some things about your husband, Martin, and some of the things he wrote and said too. And with all due respect, it seems like he really could get worked up and fly off the...

Dear Katie Lu, A lot of my friends who are in long-term relationships with boyfriends and girlfriends talk about them as their "soulmate." I think they mean that they think there was one person they were meant to be...

Dear Katie Lu, I'm beginning to believe this "grace" stuff—that I'm not loved or saved or accepted because of what I do, but through trust in Christ. But when I read the gospels, Jesus keeps...

Dear Katie Lu, I go to public school and have always just assumed it’s what all kids do. The other day I heard about other Christians who go to private Christian schools or are even home-schooled.&...

Dear Winking Luther, I'm thinking about what kind of career I want to aim for after I'm done with school. And I really do want to do something in God's service, but I don't think I'm cut out for...

Dear Winking Luther, I don’t mean to sound judgmental, but some of the things that happened in the Bible seem shady, if not downright immoral. What am I supposed to make of God commanding Abraham to sacrifice his son,...

Dear Winking Luther, I noticed that our church has the word evangelical in it. I have friends who go to churches whose styles of worship and way of talking about faith seem rather strange. These friends call...

Dear Winking Luther, In all the pictures, stories, and movies I’ve seen about you, you seem like a pretty courageous guy. Standing up to the religious establishment, debating your opponents fiercely, and nailing things to...

Dear Winking Luther, I've grown up in church I guess, but don't feel like I really understand much about the Bible or what it has to say. I try to sit down and read chunks of it, but there's so much that's confusing,...

Dear Katie Lu, My friends all go to my church, which is cool. But we just learned about Jesus' "great commission" that sends us all out to "make disciples." I want to do what Jesus asks, but I don't have...

Dear Katie Lu, I am a 15-year-old girl with a problem—I'm huge. I try to curb my appetite, but then something goes wrong and I reach for food to feel better. But that really only makes me feel worse!...

Dear Winking Luther, I couldn't even think about life without my friends. We eat together, go to school together, work together, and play together. My best friend always has my back and knows me better...

Dear Winking Luther, You're Luther—so you should know the answer to this one. What do Lutherans believe? I know what you're going to say. That we believe in "justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ." Grace...

Dear Winking Luther, Following Jesus and living by his example is not easy! Every day I mess up and do things I shouldn't—even though I know they're wrong and don't want to do them. The other day I took something that...

Dear Winking Luther, Now that I'm starting confirmation, my grandpa gave me a Bible. I want to take it to class with me, but it's the King James Version—and the wording makes no sense to me most of the time. How...

Dear Winking Luther, We've read and studying the Ten Commandments in confirmation class. I like the one about keeping the Sabbath holy. It's fun to just kick back for a day and do fun things since school and sports...

Dear Winking Luther, You and Katie Lu got married and had a family. I'm sure your kids grew up to have families too. So, are there any little Luthers running around now? Do you have any living descendants?...

Dear Winking Luther, I've been taking communion for five years now. My question is why can I drink wine during communion, but it's against the law for me to drink it everywhere else? And another thing: why do some people...

Dear Katie Lu,I have trouble calling God "Father" because I don't get along with my own father. He's so demanding and strict. I feel like I can never please him. So, a "Father" God is hard for me. What can I do?Signed,Child...

Dear Winking Luther, Here's something I've always wanted to ask. Your hymn "A Mighty Fortress" is pretty cool and I like to sing it. My question is about one of the lyrics: "Let this world's tyrant rage / in battle we'll...

Dear Winking Luther,I'm having what you might call a theological dilemma. My friend is about to be baptized. His church does what he calls "believer's baptism." He says that means he has to believe in Jesus as his Savior...

Dear Winking Luther,I can't stay awake during church. I try. I want to. But I just can't do it. Help!Signed,Bo Ring Dear Bo Ring, Think about what it is that is making you fall asleep. You can't just say, "It's...

Dear Katie Lu,My best friend, who I talked into trying out, got the lead in the school play that I wanted. What should I do?Signed,Ima Star Dear Ms. Star, If you really value your friendship, you should congratulate...

Dear Winking Luther,I love football, especially Peyton Manning. My locker at school is covered with pictures of Peyton Manning. My friend says that I'm violating the First Commandment. What do you think?Signed,Colt Indy...

Dear Winking Luther,If God forgives all of our sins no matter what and we're saved by grace, then why do we have to memorize the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments?Signed,Kon Firmation Dear Mr. Firmation, You...

Dear Winking Luther,I have a friend who goes to another church. He asked me whether I was saved. How do I know?Signed,M. I. Heavenbound Dear Ms. Heavenbound, People from different Christian churches sometimes...

Dear Winking Luther,Jesus does some far-out things in the Bible. Are any of them true? I mean some of the miracles are things that I have never seen; neither anyone I know!Signed,Awe-Struck in Arkansas Dear Awe-Struck, I...

Dear Winking Luther,Recently a group of kids in my school have been going to a church youth group at a different church. They told me that since I do not go to this church I am not a real Christian. They also said I'm going...

Dear Winking Luther,I've heard from my parents and pastors that if I pray, God will answer my prayers. How does God answer prayer? Does God really talk to people? I've never experienced God speaking directly to me. How do I...

Dear Winking Luther,In the past weeks I heard my pastor talk about being theologians of the cross. What does it mean to see God "revealed" in the cross?Signed,Cross-Eyed in Connecticut Dear Cross-Eyed, This is an excellent...

Dear Winking Luther,I'm scared of dying. My father recently died. It has been a difficult time for me and for my entire family. I was wondering, what happens to people when the die?Signed,Grieving in Georgia G.G., First...

Dear Winking Luther,How should I read the Bible? It's so big! Where do I start? Plus it's hard to understand some of it. Any suggestions? Signed,Puzzled Dear Puzzled, I'm glad you have a desire to use your Bible for...

Dear Winking Luther,Every Sunday we confess our sins at the beginning of the worship service. Sometimes I can't think of any to confess. Is it wrong to confess then? Also--why don't we have confession alone in those booths...

Dear Katie Lu,I have these questions that roll around in my head at church. Like why do we always have to sing the same old hymns, or how come teens can't read the lessons in church? Sometimes I just want to chuck it all...

Dear Winking Luther,My pastor is trying to get our church to have communion every Sunday. Why do we need it that often? Isn't it more special when we have it less often? And you know--it makes the worship service last even...

Dear Katie Lu,My sister got very sick. I prayed really hard that she would get well, and so did my parents and friends. But she didn't--she died. I miss her a lot. I know you had a daughter who died. Do you still miss her?...

The following question was submitted by an actual confirmation student! Dear Winking Luther, What would you do if someone asked you how to be a Christian? Well, this is quite the loaded question! If someone were to ask...

The following question was submitted by a real confirmation student! Dear Katie Lu, In school we could run for vice president, commissioner, and things like that. So three of my friends all ran for something different and...

The following question was submitted by a real confirmation student! Dear Katie Lu, My friends usually treat me like I'm never serious, since I usually try to be as playful as possible. But when I do ask them a serious...

The following question was submitted by a real confirmation student! Dear Winking Luther, I have a question. If you would want something from God the most what would it be? I would want a good life and to let him send his...

The following question was submitted from a real confirmation student! Dear Winking Luther, I need to pray for someone special to me, but I don't know if God can help this person make better decisions. If God can, I need...

Dear Katie Lu, I told a little lie to a friend so I could hang out with some other friends after school. But now I feel like I'm lying more and more so my friend doesn't get mad at me. What should I do? Signed, C.N....

Dear Winking Luther,How is Jesus everywhere at once? Communion is given all over the world. How can his body and blood be in each church at the same time?Signed, Totally Confused Dear Totally, Normally I don't like...

Dear Katie Lu,My teacher says you were good with money. I have trouble making my money last—I spend it so fast! What's your advice for me?Signed, A. Consumer Dear Consumer, The Bible tells us that the love of money is...

Dear Winking Luther,My catechism teacher talks sometimes about law and gospel. I get that the gospel is the good news about Jesus—but what is law? The Ten Commandments?Signed, Just Wondering Dear Wondering, You've hit...

Dear Katie Lu,My mom checks up on me all the time! It's almost like I have no privacy at all. Doesn't she trust me? How can I get her to chill out?Signed, Suspect Dear Suspect, I had six children, and I loved each one...

Dear Winking Luther,The fifth commandment says "you shall not kill." I have a brother in the army at war. What does this mean for him? Signed, Afraid Dear Afraid, You ask a very difficult question. It is a...

Dear Winking Luther,Every time I don't want to eat my vegetables, my father says I have to. He tells me that the Bible says, "Your body is a temple." Is that really in the Bible? What does that even mean? SignedBurger N....

Dear Winking Martin,In confirmation we learned about the Ten Commandments. Could you tell me more about the third one: Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep it Holy? Is this just an excuse religious people have for being lazy?...

Dear Katie Lu,My cousin is a total pain! She's always trying to boss me around. She makes fun of everything about me. She acts like a whiney, spoiled, brat. My parents say I have to get along with her because we're family,...

Dear Winking Luther,Some of my friends were baptized when they were babies. Other friends tell me you need to wait until you're old enough to make your own decision before you can be baptized. How do I know who is right?...

Dear Katie Lu, My congregation's pastor preached about money today. This made me kind of angry – shouldn't pastors stick to talking about religious stuff, and let us decide how to spend our money on our own? Signed,...

Dear Winking Luther, What is your favorite church song? I love a good hymn! Especially when the whole congregation is singing loudly. That warms me better than a plate of Katie's stew! As for a favorite, the tune I'm...

Dear Winking Luther,Do you believe in free will? Shall I answer this question...or not? I choose to answer! Yes, we have free will—when it comes to earthly matters, anyway. We are not puppets at the end of a string. God...

Dear Katie Lu,With all of the recent natural disasters that occurred within the last year and the flooding that has happened recently, how can I reach out and help those in need? I see a lot of kids my own age suffering...

Dear Katie Lu,My mom got a new job in a different state, so my parents say we have to move soon. I like my house, my friends, even my backyard! I don't know what it will be like being in a new place and I am scared I won't...

Dear Winking Luther, The Lord's Prayer says we should forgive the sins of others just as our sin has been forgiven by God. But when someone hurts me, I have a tough time with that. Can you give me some pointers on forgiving...

Dear Winking Luther,I'm confused about the bread and wine at communion. How can they be bread and wine and the body and blood of Jesus—at the same time? That's just weird! Please explain. I'd be more concerned if you told...

Dear Katie Lu,I know you had lots of kids and students to take care of at Wittenberg, not to mention Dr. Luther! Do you ever miss your quiet life in the convent? Do you ever wish more for yourself? My life at the convent...

Dear Winking Luther,My friends are reading those books—the ones about the rapture, when some people are zapped up into heaven leaving behind their clothes! The books say that the people left will remain on earth and suffer...

Dear Katie Lu, Sometimes I don't feel like going to church. None of my friends are part of my church and I just get bored. Why should I have to go? Dear One, we don't go to church to see...

Dear Winking Luther, In confirmation, I keep hearing my pastor talk about being saved by grace through faith. I don't get it. What does he mean? Those words sound familiar—because they come from the Bible! (Look up...

Dear Katie Lu, I was recently at a store, and I caught my best friend stealing. Now I don't know what to do. I haven't talked to my friend since. Help! Stealing happens more than you would think, but that doesn't...

Dear Winking Luther, Out of all the Ninety-five Theses, which one is your favorite and why? My favorite of the Ninety-five Theses is number 51, which talks about the Pope and money and indulgences and stuff....