Joshua Simpkins

Hyphenated. Non-hyphenated. The irony.

Over the past 2 1/2 years specifically, I’ve learned some really important lessons. And I’ve also learned who the real people are in my life, and in an unfortunate way, those that weren’t. But I’m very grateful for the real ones, because you know they are legit and there for life

One of the best podcasts I’ve found recently is @bfonthebeatpod . It’s a great way to get to know chefs you love but in a real way. Not with all the Food Network veneer, just being real. I love it.

Overheard: Biblical counseling's *ultimate goal* is sanctification. I demur. BC's ultimate goal is *to glorify God and enjoy him forever* (WSC Q1). A given case may never see the former, but it can always pursue the latter. Sanctification is God's work, not mine (WLC Q75).

Freddie Mercury was one of the best voices and musicians from my time and of all time. No AI, no auto tune, just pure talent. That’s the best thing from my generation. And this new generation should love that, because it’s practically non existent now.

I don’t care what you think about Freddy Mercury or his life choices. He certainly paid for them. But as an artist and a musician he was one of the most prolific performers of our generation, or at least my generation being GenX. I rewatched Bohemian Rhapsody.

And I think he was the type that thought outside of his box and probably would have listened to the Gospel and took it into consideration. More than I can say for most.

I wish and hope by God’s grace someone shared the Gospel with him and I think probably with everyone he was connected with it’s possible. That being said, I at least appreciate he was trying to be very genuine as far as I can tell and had a complicated existence.

None of us really do. Ultimately. Yes. He lived a lifestyle I would say was the antithesis of being a biblical Christian. And I think he probably died not knowing the Gospel. However, in the here and now, his music and what Queen did for music was prolific.

But I don’t think his band mates would allow there to be too much variation from his actual story. He was a really real dude trying to understand life and got lost and barely found himself before death. And I don’t know what his eternal soul found at that point.

He was Queen and made Queen happen. And yah, he allowed himself to beautifully destroy it, but then had the humility to realize they were really the only people that really loved him and then they put on the best show in history. I know Hollywood movies aren’t reality per se…

My take now. He was brought up in a very abusive situation that was practically untenable, however, at least from the movie, his parents came around… but if it weren’t for his stardom I don’t think they would’ve. He was figuring out who he was and ultimately….

And I saw it through new and better eyes than when I saw it in the theater and when I was in a very different place myself. Watching it again with the better understanding of who I am and who he was makes a big difference in the way you understand.

I miss the 80’s.

Living on an island and feeling like you have to live on an island because you can’t trust anyone else that says they are there with a buoy or a life raft is very difficult. Especially when they are all constantly telling you to trust them and come to their island.

Which is interesting because it’s an 80’s movie and we are now in the 21st century. Who knows now. I wonder when it comes to certain games and definitely the Super Bowl. It’s kinda like the Roman games all over again with all the manipulation and then some.

I do gotta say, how do you do a movie about an NFL football player and there’s no football? I mean, great acting, great actors, but bro. It definitely makes sense from the underbelly of what is probably the reality.

Back in the 80’s having a different opinion politically was more acceptable than today. Today on both sides you’re either on one team or the other. They don’t care about nuance or integrity. It’s whatever wins. That’s not me. Never will be. I’m actually honest and have a brain.

I’m watching a movie right now where @RealJamesWoods and Jeff bridges are face to face! Dude. That’s my childhood right there. 2 awesome actors. Why is Jeff acceptable and James is persona non grata in the industry???? BULLSHIT!

Especially when most of them went to Hollywood to make it by grinding out working jobs like most of us do. Servers, bartenders, etc. they literally made it because they had talent and put the work in to make it. It didn’t just fall in their lap.

I love good movies and I love good actors. I hate the actors that sell their souls to keep working in spite of the fact they know it’s wrong. And I think it’s very wrong they are put in that position. That definitely is not a healthy work environment. We’d all crumble under that.