So I was just reflecting the best I can. 25 years ago. I was 12 years old, my parents were split up and about to get a divorce which I would now guess is what really jacked up my life whether I knew it then or not.

I was born into Christian home, heck my dad was a pastor, but by 1982-83 they were in the midst of the free for all 80’s. Dad was no where to be found and mom was doing the best she could with 3 boys to support on a hair stylist paycheck.

I always looked up to my older brother. He was 7 years my senior (now I think he is more like 15!). John was a very well behaved kid, smart with money, never quick to be irrational and I just followed him around like a puppy. I might have really been a good kid in school had he not introduced me to “them.”

I remember the day very clearly. John brought them home and was so excited…and if JOHN was excited about it, you know I would have to be, and I was. Anytime he would leave the house I would invite them over and we would just chill. It was the beginning of a new relationship for me. One that surely had the most effect on be excelling in art and music and failing in anything to do with history or math!

When you really think about, it SUX! THANKS John…you are now a pastor at a cool church in Dallas and I am a web nerd!  Had you just told me a little more about Trig or Calculus, I might have done something with my life!

I am not a huge punk fan but I know enough to get me in trouble. The first time I ever heard of MXPX was when I was in a radio contest in Phoenix, AZ back in 2002. I and 11 other people lived in three cars in the middle of a mall in Tempe for about two weeks! One of the guys was in a band and he would often talk of this band named MXPX. Needless to say I didn’t win the car since I am writing for a website, but here I am hearing all about MXPX again as their latest CD was just released July 17th.

I don’t want to add to this already long intro so if you don’t know who Mike Herrera is, just Google MXPX. THAT is who he is…but here is what he writes on his website bio:

“Hi. My name is Mike. I play bass in a band called MXPX, and I sing too. I grew up in a blue-collar town called Bremerton, WA. It’s a pretty good place to grow up I guess. I was always the one half Mexican kid in school and I thought I was the only one, until one year my family went on vacation to visit family in Tijuana.”

R12: One of the first things in your Wikipedia bio says, “Mike Herrera is an American rock musician most widely known as the vocalist and bassist for the punk band MxPx.” What do you want it to start with 20 years from now?

MH: same thing but most widely known as the guy who wrote a ton of songs and hopefully alot of them were good and worth listening to.

R12: How old were you when you got your first tat and which one means the most to you?

MH: i was 17 when i got my first.. and my back piece is my favorite… it’s hard to explain what it is.. because it’s huge and there are a ton of images.
R12: Have you ‘made it’ with the release of “Secret Weapon”?

MH: no.. i think we’re working even harder to promote this new album and that’s ok. we’re a working class band.

R12: At Romans12 we obviously do things differently than other ‘Christian’ webzines, when did you know it was ok to do things differently?

MH: well.. i guess i didn’t know it was ok.. till way after i had already started doing things differently.. haha. but hey… you just gotta do what you think is right.

R12: Have you ever done those stupid voice warm-ups that we all had to do in 12th grade choir (does “ma may me moe moo” ring a bell?)?

MH: oh yeah… i still do em.

R12: Ok, for me, I like taking pictures of old 50’s and 60’s motel signs and that is rather weird, do you do anything quirky while you are on the road?

MH: nothing too weird. filming everything.. documenting. but i think that’s pretty normal.

R12: What will you tell your kids when they want to start a band?

MH: have fun in the studio downstairs..and don’t forget to do your homework!!

New segment of 7 Questions is coming this Wednesday with Mike Herrera of MXPX.  Check it out!

Are Long Distance Relationships Workable?
We are very attracted to each other and feel we are compatible, but how do you relocate across the country for a “maybe?”

The answer is very simple. Both are true because Matthew and Levi are the same person. Matthew is the Greek name and Levi was the Hebrew name. As a tax-collector, Matthew worked for the Romans who spoke Greek. He gathered taxes from the Jews who spoke Hebrew. We see, as an example, Peter also being called Simon (Matt. 16:16.)

Danny Oertli is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and author, encouraging audiences worldwide with enriching stories of God’s enduring faithfulness. The creator of five independent albums, his most recent is a fantastic piece of sound and lyrical art. Danny has performed throughout the world and has worked with many ministries including Billy Graham, Focus on the Family, and FamilyLife. For the past seven years, Danny has served as the worship leader for the Dare 2 Share conferences and as a Compassion International spokesperson. He currently lives in Parker, CO with his wife Rayna and their three children and has totally blessed us by answering our 7 questions:

Romans12: There is a few really cool acoustic guitar songs on Breathe It In, what was your inspiration to include songs without words?

Danny: I was a guitar player long before I tried to write lyrics as a songwriter. Just messing around with the guitar in my basement as a teenager, I always loved the percussive nature of guitar. So, much of my approach to guitar comes from those early days of not knowing how to do anything else but play. I guess that’s kind of a half answer- bottom line: I just really like instrumentals- especially when the guitars are simple enough that you can almost here the grain of the wood. There’s something magical about acoustic guitars. It also didn’t hurt that I was recording with Dave Beegle, a master guitar player. He makes me sound much better than I really am.

Romans12: I think “God Will Repay” is one of the coolest songs I have ever heard…please tell us the story behind it.

Danny: In October of 2006, my wife Rayna and I went down to Quito, Ecuador with Compassion International to lead worship for a conference. We had been sponsoring a little girl named Miriam through Compassion and were hoping for a chance to meet her.

The second morning of our trip, one of the staff told us Miriam was waiting in a bus outside our hotel. She had traveled through the night with her father and taken numerous bus hops to see us. So, with great excitement, we went out to meet her. There she was, in the back of the bus with her hands folded in her lap, to shy to show her full face. Her father sat next to her with a wide grin and extended his hand as we walked toward them.

As we sat down, Rayna handed Miriam a little box of things we had put together for her from the dollar section at target (a comb, some candy, hair “things”). Miriam delicately opened the box and slowing went through each item. Before long, her eyes filled with tears and she whispered something to the interpreter. The interpreter paused before responding, then looked at us and said, “I’m not sure how to translate this, it’s an old Ecuadorian phrase. It means, I can’t repay you but God will.”

Time stood still as Rayna and I began to breathe in the moment. The heart of God was so thick in the back of that bus. This little girl was thankful from the depths of her soul for not only little trinkets, but the support and love we had shown her family. In return, we had the incredible privilege of knowing the joy of giving hope.

The song is a pretty straight description of that moment.

Romans12: What kind of music did you listen to growing up and why?

Danny: On an 8th grade skiing trip with a youth group, an older kid gave me a tape to listen to on the slopes. I had a cheap little Walkman and I put it in as I skied that day. It was Van Halen 1, and I had never heard anything like it before! It was aggressive, and filled with energy. The guitars were loud and doing things I had never heard. For whatever reason, it resonated with me and I became a rock’n’roll freak. From there, I listened to a lot of U2, Boston, AC/DC, and any other music that many of my teachers at the Christian school wouldn’t have approved of. I don’t think I was consciously rebelling, I just liked the energy coming out of the music. Later in High School, I began getting into acoustic music and started to appreciate great song writers like James Taylor, Jim Croce, and David Wilcox. As these styles collided and my faith deepened, I began to write songs myself.

Romans12: I have extreme ADHD so although it would be extremely cool, I can’t even imagine myself playing guitar…ever. Do you suffer from anything that restricts you or you might have thought would ever restrict you?

Danny: Man, that’s a great question. There are a ton of things that I think restrict me as a player and a writer. I can be incredibly impatient and I think that’s led to songs that could have been great but that I settled on just to be finished. I also wish I had greater range as a vocalist. Pretty normal there. Most importantly, I’m horrible with theory. I really wish I had studied more to learn the nuts and bolts of music. I envy musicians who understand the finer points of theory. I’m usually just winging it and praying God’s grace will abound.

Romans12: Did you ever own a pager?

Danny: Yes! But, not for long- maybe a year. But, as I type this, I’m playing around with my new iPhone! Truly amazing. I love technology but I never got into the text message thing. I’ve maybe sent 5 text messages in my life, probably all responses!

Romans12: What is your most requested prayer to the Lord and why (we love “and whys”…they kind of squeeze another question out for free!)?

Danny: Hmm. . .another great question. It’s probably a tie between, “Lord, forgive me, I’m an idiot” and “God, thank you- I don’t deserve this.” I’m amazed, how at the age of 36 (almost), I can still be mind-numbingly selfish and petty. It drives me crazy. But, I’m also amazed at God’s abundant mercy and His ability to reach our souls with little everyday occurrences.

Romans12: Why did you agree to do this 7 questions segment (cmon, the truth Danny!).

Danny: The truth, I’m a people pleaser. That can be good and bad. I answer all my e-mails and return all my calls. I say yes to almost everyone in regards to almost everything. So, these questions played right into my weakness!

By the way Danny, my ‘06 Escalade is getting a few miles on it and the ’08’s will be out soon??? What ya say pleaser?

Paul Hunter is the editor and founder of Romans12. He is tortured daily by his love for Christ, his son Payton and cute girls (unfortunately sometimes not in that order). He lives on the Florida suncoast with his 6 year old son, Payton.

We have really been blessed to get some cool people lined up for the 7 questions segment and we’re stoked to give you the next few segments!  We are going to try to line up enough to do one every week but for right now it will be a bi-weekly thing.  Don’t forget…Danny Oertli, this Wednesday and keep checking back to hear who’s might be next.

The next 7 questions segment coming Wednesday the 18th…Danny Oertli!