Hi there y’all.  This is Granny Trudy, and I’ve got my own advice column on this here FUEL Gauge.  If you have any questions or need advice, y’all can just email me and I promise you can stay confidential.  Here’s a couple questions I’ve already gotten:

Dear Granny,
Recently, I discovered that my long term boyfriend (of almost four months) is actually my half-brother.  How concerned should I be?
     – Hormonal Hillbilly

Hormonal,
Where do I begin?  I realize that this is a complex time of life, and that, presumably, you didn’t know he was your close relative going ino the relationship, but the fact remains, dear, YOU CANNOT DATE YOUR BROTHER!  It is simply not okay.  “What about Adam and Eve’s kids?” you’ll ask (even though I’m really not quite THAT old).  Trust me, you have more options than they did.
     – Granny

Hi Granny,
I have a friend who says he’s a Christian, but you’d never know it to see his lifestyle.  I told him he should just shut up about it, because he’s making Christians look bad, but he told me I was being judgmental and to butt out.  What should I do?

Hello Dear,
First of all, you should probably evaluate your own response.  Maybe you are being just a little judgmental.  That being said, it certainly is frustrating to see people who proclaim (rather loudly) to be Christians whil denying Christ by the way that they live.  You might try a gentler approach, letting him know how his behavior looks to others.  Try to avoid words like “hypocrite” or “fake” or “phony.”  Rather, use words like “consistent” and “genuine,” encouraging him rather than calling out his faults.
     – Granny

If you have questions or would like advice, please send your correspondence to granny_trudy@hotmail.com.  Even if your letter is not chosen to be published, Granny will respond to you.  If your question is not answered to your satisfaction, please feel free to follow up with Granny at any time.