The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote about Jesus some 740 years before Jesus was born. Isaiah may have been martyred—sawn in two—during the reign of Manasseh for speaking truth. He condemned the wealthy for oppressing the poor; he condemned women who neglected their families in the quest of carnal pleasure; he condemned priests and prophets who became drunken men-pleasers instead of teaching and keeping God’s law.
Isaiah declared God’s displeasure with sin and endeavored to turn his generation away from disobedience to God. He paved a foundation of hope and promise for those who remained true to God by telling them about the birth of Jesus, Savior and Redeemer.
Speaking out against sin and injustice, Isaiah said, “Woe unto…” Yet after he had a vision of the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, Isaiah said of himself, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5) Faced with God’s holiness, Isaiah realized that the same sinfulness he had prophesied against in others was found within himself.
That’s why I wrote gritty, real “Killer Conversations.” I’ve been criticized because the narrative of child abuse creating a serial killer is not a fairy tale—it’s painful and haunting. It’s the only book I’ve ever written that has received a one-star review. As Christians, we sometimes use what we perceive as our goodness as an excuse to criticize others. We use the fact that we don’t smoke, drink, curse, etc. as a battering ram against other believers. It’s a temptation to set ourselves up and put others down. We forget: “There by the grace of God go I.”
Stephanie Parker McKean 
I still haven’t read this, Steph. You are so prolific, I can’t keep up! However, it’s on my Kindle and I will read it soon. I have to confess I am more easily drawn to the fun-filled murder mysteries you write, however. My weakness is your great mystery stories!
Thanks, Val, but you might not want to read it. It is gritty and real and it portrays some graphic child abuse scenes. There is a mystery involved and there is mild humor, but it’s a dark book even though it has what I believe is a bright message. My advice would be to skip it. But I hate that you’ve already bought it. Have a great day in the closer-to-spring weather.
I can take it, Steph! It’s another part of the diverse writer you are!
Thanks, Val. You falsely praise me. I’m not really diverse. I just write what God gives me. But hope you like it when you get to read it. Have a grand week. Is it too much to hope for both of us that the week will come with at least a few days of sun? And a little warmth? Here’s hoping.