Are you killing your calling?

Have you ever wondered why God gave us a Heart. While, the heart may be the most important organ of your body. It is even more important, because it's the very avenue God uses to speak to us,place our calling, give our desires, and changes our soul. I'd be the first to admit, that following my heart is can be most difficult thing to do, perhaps it's because that's the exact the same muscle that builds our faith. The bible tells us that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. And while I'm no medical doctor suffering a heart attack would do just that to your physical being. But what if, your lack of follow up, follow through, or quest for approval from other is killing, stealing, and destroying the calling, desires, and God improved changes to your heart. I want to challenge you as I encourage mysely today to stop killing your calling, pursue your heart's desires with urgency, yeild to God's molding, and allow Him to speak to your heart daily. Get out of the way, because the Doctor is in!

Newt's better, while she's bitter!

As a divorce attorney, I see it all too often. One spouse wants to destroy the other. A divorced politician with a vindictive spouse has to live this reality in public. Gingrich's 2nd wife, felt the need to speak to the media after years of seperation. For what?, to destroy his chances of obtaining the Repubs nomination.

The truth is, it makes her look bitter, and we all know bitterness isn't SEXY. Has she not moved on with her life? Newt obviously has, afterall he is in the Final Four for the Repub's nomination. This is true for us all, forgiveness and letting go, allows you to move forward and create a more authentic life.

Please don't mistake this blog as an endorsement for any Repub, however this scenerio presented the opportunity for me to encourage, uplift and inspire.

So whether you are on a stage for all the world to see or living a private life, forgive and forget.

I'm Leslie Broadnax, and I'm Just Saying- KEEP IT MOVING!

Who are we to impose the Death Penalty

If you've been following the news in St. Louis County, you'd know a jury recently convicted Todd Shepard of 1st degree murder of a University City Police Officer. You'd also know that the jury was charged with the decision to impose punishment, their choices. Life without parole or the death penalty. The jury choose life without parole, and in my mind the right choice. Afterall who are we to decide who lives or dies.. We are not the judge, God is! Don't get me wrong I am not defending his actions, my husband is a retired police officer. However, as a christian I am charged with the duty to hate the sin, but love the sinner. I am praying for both the families of the victim and the accused. Praying with the belief that God can judge and provide healing to all involved.

Is the silence really too loud!

The key to any relationship is communication. Whether it is a marital relationship, parent-child, or work related. And while most people believe that talking is the most important part of communicating, I would be willing to bet that listening is twice as important. Why else would God give us one mouth and two ears.

Hearing can be defined as the simple act of recognizing that there is sound, talk, or noise in our presence and if focused upon could be identified and/or understood. However, the act and art of listening requires not only our ears but our heart. Listening requires us to be compassionate, intelligent, and aware of the needs of others. Which should cause us to spring into action to address that need; To be of service, after really listening to someone.

God commands us to present our bodies' as a sacrifice and that is our reasonable service. Be of service to someone today, listen with your heart, learn of someones need, and be a blessing today.

The silence isn't too "loud", your ears and heart just may be too "small"


Leslie B.-

You may contact the Law Office of Leslie Tolliver, LLC at 314-854-1359 and let your grievance be heard!

As a divorce attorney, I'd like to say I've seen it all. But it never fails there is always a story yet to be told.

In their early twenties, Mr. and Mrs. Hammer were married some 50 years ago, and after two children and an agrument over money. At a young age Mrs. Hammer was left to raise the two children on her own and earn the family's income. Fast forward 50 years, Mr. Hammer dies, and it is revealed that the two never divorced. Although, Mr. Hammer "re-married", which brings me to my first point:
1. If you already have a wife/husband, you can not legally marry another. It's called polygamy and it's illegal in MO.
Besides most people don't want the first husband or wife, why even consider having two.

2. When dating ask the hard questions and follow up if needed. "Are you married" sounds like a pretty good question to start. I'm just saying, the Bible says when "a" man finds "a" wife, he finds a good thing. Last I checked the letter "a" is singular, meaning one. As a sidebar I'd like to encourage all the single women to stop chasing after them, the right one will find you.

3. Money is a sad reason to leave or stay with anyone.

Ok, Back to poor Mr. Hammer's funeral. No one has shed a tear over his home going, however the estranged wife of more than 50 yers is upset she can't figure out how much insurance money will be left to her. This a bit presumptuous. What if Mr. Hammer changed the beneficiary on the policy. But who are we kidding, he didn't bother to divorce Mrs. Hammer, so why would he have changed the policy. (marital status does not determine insurance policy awards; named beneficiaries are the determinate.)

Three weeks have past ,and Mrs. Hammer is still pining over her insurance benefits, which is a lot longer than she fretted over her marriage or Mr. Hammer's death.

My Point is this, God is a God that can not fail, he can do exceedingly above all we ask or think. He loves us so much He wants to chase us down with blessings. I'm not saying there will not be hard work or difficulties along the journey, but we certainly have the victory.

Mrs. Hammer has forfeited so many blessings, I'm not God, so I don't know them all, but I can imagine a marriage that was fulfulling, happy, and most importantly, a testimony to who God is. I can imagine prosperity and wealth throughout her entire life, was forfeited. More than just the few pennies, she may or may not receive from Mr. Hammer's insurance policy in her last days.

Marriage is, in the words of VP Joe Biden, a big f**king deal, so don't enter into it lightly. And while we all hope it works out, we live in a fallen world, so divorce happens. Ask for forgiveness, as there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, and keep it moving. God has so much in store for you!


Leslie B. is a family law attorney in Clayton, MO. For legal advice/services contact Law Office of Leslie Tolliver, LLC 314-854-1359.