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We got this message last week... it's the greatest encouragement our band could receive.  It’s a DIRECT answer to our prayers, and I believe for those who pray with us.  Check it out!

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So a few months ago i started listening to your music and really liked it- i wasn't Christian and was actually against everything God related (stupid i know ha) Anyways.. I loved your music and it actually got me to think about God in a different way. I had gotten the opportunity to go to church camp with my friend back in July and for that whole week I listened to your music non stop! It was seriously the only thing I listened to. listening to your song “scared” became my prayer pretty much. I like to think that listening to your music impacted my life greatly that week- at the end of the week I got baptized. :)
Anyways I just thought I would tell you, your music is amazing and is changing lives. Keep makin music Above the Golden State and praising God.
Again thank you for you amazing songs.

ATGS-
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this with us.  So stoked for you.  It sounds like you're following Jesus now.  It's good isn't it?
“Scared” is a love song of honesty, commitment and faithfulness.  It was originally written for a close friend's wedding, but is now being used in ways like your own story.
Keep loving Jesus, and ALLOW Him to love you.
We'd like to share your message on our blog.  If you prefer, we can keep it anonymous.
Thank you for encouraging us!

-Michael, Dean and Jordon

 ....

It is good. :)
Giving up my life was the best move ever! ha.
I just wanted to let you know, you guys are changing lives. Who knows if I would’ve made that decision that week if it wasn't for constantly replaying all your songs. Listening to that song “scared” and also “the haunting” helped push me to making that choice. That one line in the haunting "I can hear my Savior's plea, come to me" totally hit me, how did I ignore God calling me for so long?! Anyways I just had to tell you guys thank you so much for your music. .
And do what you please with my message, i think its best to keep my name anonymous tho, better to have the focus on what God is doing through you guys than on my name (hope that made sense ha i'm sure you know what i mean).

---END OF MESSAGE---

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I love this person’s heart for God.  So rad!  It takes me back to the songs that helped shaped my life when I first started walking with Jesus; like Switchfoot’s “Let That Be Enough” or Delirious’s “Lord, You Have My Heart”.

We’ve never prayed for awards or album sales or for “the praises of men instead of the praise of God". John 12:42-43.

We would rather honor and serve God regardless of how well our “band” does in the “christian market”.

What a simple reminder that God created music for HIS GLORY and that we are ALL instruments in HIS hands for HIS purpose, in whatever we put our hands to!

Our new album “The Golden Rule” comes out January 26th.  Please pray with us that it will have a similar impact on those who hear it.

Hey Buddy,

A couple weeks back at The Way we ventured from our usual wanna-be "euro-rock" worship, and just had myself and Tim lead from the acoustic guitar (and the "little-tinie-tiny-baby" grand piano)

It was an amazing night.  I was brought to tears... (don't tell anybody)

Thank you Phil Wickham for writing the song "Cielo".  God used that song powerfully as I witness over a thousand people sing at the top of their lungs, lift their hands and hearts high towards heaven... and bow down to their knees on our cement /"trendy" stained-floor to show their love for Jesus!  So rad!

I'm glad to be apart of a movement of God that worships Him for WHO HE IS... the creator, the father, the one who made us and shows us real LOVE!
I'm thankful that these people worship Him EVEN WHEN the lights aren't dimmed with blues and reds, and the keyboard isn't playing spirit inspired "pad" noises...  when it's all about Jesus, and we DON'T have to sing "I'm Coming Back To the Heart Of Worhsip".

I can't thank God enough for letting me serve Him along side this church here in Portland.






Byyyeee Buddy (...hope you find your Dad)

-Michael

STREETS (live to love YOUR CITY!

The song “Streets” was written before ATGS was formed.  And the song has never been more relevant and essential to our bands identity than the past two weeks.

You have to read this!!!

LOVE is REAL and it’s happening here in OUR CITY… Portland, Oregon: one of the most un-churched, un-godly, “darkest” cities in our nation.   Known widely as the “church planters’ graveyard”.

... and it’s here in Portland that not only our band is born, but a movement of Jesus takes to life.

Over five years ago, myself and few others met for coffee in downtown Portland and shared visions and dreams of what God had laid on our hearts for the city, and for a church to spring up in the midst of it.

Our prayers and songs sounded a little bit like this, except that they weren’t at all poetic:

When shadows turn to faces

When faces take on names

When names tell us their stories

Of their brokenness and pain

May love flow through our city

Through the grid of all the streets

Under bridges in the alleys

Like blood through our veins

Jesus, come save!

These prayers led to a small bible study (for dudes only) in my beat up, moldy downtown apartment, which then turned into a weekly Friday night co-ed study in our Pastor’s house in the suburbs (called “The Way”).  The Way continued to grow, as more and more COLLEGE-aged people came, hungry for Jesus, the Word of God, worship, and community.

The numbers grew… and grew… and grew… which meant we moved from building to building until finally there was simply no more room. The Way now meets in a building that holds no more than 1,500 people.  Let me repeat that so you don’t miss it…..  1,500 COLLEGE-aged people meeting together for Jesus every Friday night.  Many men and women who never knew Christ, and are now walking with Him daily!  Oh, and in Portland, Oregon of all places… SERIOUSLY!?!?

But the story isn’t over.  This is only the beginning!

This college group, known as “The Way,” needs to return to the City. Now, after many years of praying for revival, growing in our maturity with Christ, and seeking God for open doors, we’ve been given the opportunity to be a part of movement of God in our City.

One of the oldest church congregations in Oregon (First Baptist) has opened its doors to us (The Way) on Saturday nights.  The building (which from the outside looks like a castle) is in the heart of downtown Portland, blocks from the famous Powell’s book store, Henry’s Tavern, The Ace Hotel (Stumptown Coffee), The Crystal Ballroom, Burnside, Pioneer Square… the heart of Portland.....

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So a few weeks ago on Friday night, we loaded everyone up in big yellow school buses, and drove downtown to see the new building, worship, as well as pray while walking through the STREETS of Portland.  Crazy huh!?!

Here's what it looked like.

People coming in and finding seats.


The Hawaiian/Portland "shaka" from me to you


This is looking up at the ceiling... beautiful!


Leading worship "unplugged". We had only one microphone, but over a 1,000 voices to make up for it.  SOooooo awesome!


Outside on the steps of 1st Baptist


You might recognize this guy from our music video.  His name is Doug.  He's one of the church elders, and a great friend we've worked beside for years.


Praying and walking the streets

When love is used like money

It turns into our greed

When love is more like water

Then everyone will drink

So let it flow through all our cities

Flood them like the sea

Fill the souls that hunger

Lord give us what we need

We’ll start gathering downtown at the beginning of 2010.  After that… who knows?  Like I said, this is only the beginning. This is exciting and terrifying all at the same time, but I’ve walked with Jesus long enough to know that is exactly what it’s supposed to feel like.

It is amazing to see God working such awesome ways “in” and “through” us.  And only by His love, grace, and SPIRIT all this is possible.  I mention that because this isn’t the movement of just our prayers, or just our church body, but through many prayers within and without our city, and nation for that matter.  This is a movement of the entire body of Christ, coming together as we respond to the One who has called us into action.

Check it out:

http://www.ajesuschurch.org/downtown.php

Listen and Watch:

http://www.ajesuschurch.org/teachings_topic.php?tid=744&c=2

All that to say:

Love is REAL

God is love!

Love will bleed

Jesus gave His life!

Love will heal

The Spirit will draw us back to life!

Love will NEED

… because God won’t act unless we do!

Love CHANGE THE WORLD!

… now it’s time for you to start praying for your city!

This is our joy and passion as ABOVE THE GOLDEN STATE to share with you IN the love of Jesus and the movement of God.  This might explain why WE will never feel comfortable being identified as "a band name", because our identity is in something much, MUCH bigger than a “band name,” “record label,” or “merchandise” could ever amount to.

It’s about Jesus and the church… YOU and US together!

Along with are involvement in our city and church, this last year ATGS crossed paths with a ‘now’ good friend Taylor, who started a company called Live To Love Apparel. We obviously share the same passion and ideas, to see the love of God change our world.....

You’ll see us wearing Live To Love in our pictures, video blogs, or at shows.  You can also find the link on our page

http://www.livetoloveapparel.com

http://www.myspace.com/livetoloveapparel

A good reminder to...

Live to love GOD....

... Love OTHERS....

... Love YOUR CITY....

 

Thank you all!!!

Under His Mercy,

    -Michael, Jordon, Kyle “Dean”....

 

We really need our fans to help us out by taking this survey.  It's super-short and should only take you about 2 minutes.  Thanks in advance!

Click Here To Start

SO stoked if you're reading this.  We'd like to ask you to be apart of "Above The Golden State".  It's always been our prayer to BE the body of Christ and NOT another "thing" or "band" you can buy as entertainment.  So we invite you to pray with us for the upcoming album.

Here's a few specifics to pray for:
-Pray for us,  that we would never be deceived to "pursue" music, but that we'd always be about pursuing Jesus, and His kingdom/ glory on earth.
-Pray that this album will be HUGE... in the lives of people.  Again, that it would turn the gaze of our soul on Christ.  Things like songs, lyrics, melody's and instruments.
-Pray that we would have fun, be thankful and do all things in love!

Thank You all!

-Michael, Dean and Jordon

Be sure to check out the "In The Studio" vids!

Hey You!

I had week off in Nashville and I spent every day writing new songs.  Here's one of those days at Steve Wilson's new studio.
The song is called "Bent".
There's 20 more others (songs) on the way!  Just got to jam them out with the band back in Portland.


-Michael

The Middle Finger

I know that sounds bad.  Haha!  Let me explain.  I smashed my middle finger (left hand) while helping load into a show with After Edmund (Building 429 had the day off).  It really hurt!... don’t make fun of me!

Keep in mind, (you guitar players know) the middle finger is vital for performing songs on guitar.

The rest of the day I frantically tried to figure out what I’d do that night for the show.  I managed to get through a 20 minute set, but had to change almost every song to something “mellower”, which wasn’t very pleasing to the overly dominated “Middle School” crowd, all hopped up on sugar and Mountain Dew.  
I think I actually shhhhhushed them once or twice.

So any who, there’s a few ways I could look at the situation.

1.    God allowed this to happen to teach me a lesson.

2.    I’m just a big idiot for not anticipating 1000… million pounds of speaker cabinet to crush my livelihood/ manhood.

3.    The band “After Edmund” is attempting some sort of SABOTAGE against Above The Golden State, or just flat out trying to kill me.

I actually believe it’s a little bit of all three.  First off, After Edmund is extremely jealous of us for many reason’s, one being that we list first alphabetically on iTunes, and also, because they’ve been having serious self-worth issues after not winning a Grammy.

Two, I am a little slow sometimes…most the time… especially in the morning when lifting large objects without proper instruction (MATT!!!  Ugh…)

And Three, God did in fact teach me a lesson-

What did I learn- I can’t always rely on encouraging people through music, and I need to love them off stage as well.  The night of the finger smash, it felt like my kindness was all I could give.
Jesus certainly did both.  He spoke to large crowds as well as ministered to individuals.  I pray that I never make the mistake of thinking my love and ministry is ONLY through music.
I did lead a few worship songs that night, and the majority of people joined in.  We glorified Jesus together.  You rock Temple Texas! - Thanks for putting up with me and my middle finger… and my bad attitude toward the whole situation.

Talk to ALL Y’ALL soon.

Random:

-Truth Hope Love Tour is coming to an end.  9 shows left and I’ll be back in Portland.

- I wrote a bunch of new songs this past month

-Stone washed jeans are really ugly, but also really awesome!

-Michael

Hey Hey!

I’m in Nashville staying with my good friend Josh Wilson for a few days.  You may have heard me mention him in a few blogs now “New Faces New Music”.  By God’s blessing he’s become more and more popular from his radio hit “Savior Please”.  He loves Jesus, people, and he writes amazing music about such things, what else need I say?  Get used to hearing his name a lot.



I just finished the first 3 shows with Building 429 and others (I’ll get to the “others” in a later blog).  I’ve never met the B429 guys and I must say, I’m extremely impressed.  These guys are legit in every way.  They love Jesus, and it shows by their actions (on and off stage), not to mention they put on one of the most amazing shows I’ve ever seen.  Not even kidding!

I’ll admit I was a little scared/ nervous to start this tour, but I’ve never been so well received by people I don’t know.   They’ve encouraged me big time.  Literally, every time one of them walks by me on the bus or backstage they’ll compliment me for something, anything.  Which is borderline ridiculous, cause I’m certainly no Jon Foreman, but I feel like it now. Praise God for what these guys are doing with their lives and music.  Pray for them that God will keep blessing and using them to His Glory and purpose.

I CAN’T BE YOUR FRIEND!

It’s been heavy on my heart lately, “What is my role as a traveling musician”.  I learned a long time ago that I can’t be a pastor to everyone I meet, nor should I (it’s their local churches role), but recently I’ve struggled just trying to be a friend.
It’s what I’ve always done since High School.
This is what I’ve been wrestling with the past two months while at home, and praises to Jesus, He gave me a peace of mind before I left for this tour.

Here’s my deal - I’m already overwhelmed just trying to stay in touch with those I know at home in Portland (roommates, pastors, band mates, FAMILY etc.), let alone the members at our church.  Not to mention all the amazing record label people, business relationships, radio friends and on and on… where do I find the time? I keep meeting the coolest people every night!

I’d love to say from stage, “hey friends” but it’s simply not true.  I can’t be everyone’s friend, even if I wanted to, and in no way could I mentor or pastor every soul in need of it.

Here’s what I CAN DO is be an ENCOURAGEMENT!  

Sadly, I don’t have the bible references in front of me now, but this is what God has settled in my mind - I can encourage through songs and conversations before and after the show.  
That’s my prayer for this tour, but really, for as long as I’m traveling and sharing music.  

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.  I could very well be wrong, but I feel it’s been confirmed in a number of ways.  Even just the other night. Jason (lead singer of B429) prayed, “that we would encourage the body of Christ in this rough time our country is facing”.

I CAN’T be your pastor, I CAN’T always be your friend, but I AM your brother in Jesus!

Love you guys!

-Michael

Here’s some photo’s of the second show in Cincinnati, Ohio “the Underground”





Building 429



Jason says,"Hello y'all"!



Hello to the people that care to read these blogs (hi Mom),

I've decided on a whim tonight, that I'll start blogging again.  It's been forever long since I've voluntarily done this, and I know why now.  I've been incredibly insecure my who life, and realize more now than ever how much it's affected my ability to communicate. 

In other words, I've been comparing my blogs to other peoples blogs, hoping that mine will be more clever, brilliant and perhaps "more meaningful". 

If I've learned anything this last year, it's that the best people are those who are "most" themselves.  So with a little bit of help from God (a lot of help), I'll set out to begin a more frequent blog.  After all, it is fun to share my life with you all, and hear your responses, with exception of those obsessive fanatic people that creep us all out.
Here's the random the stuff in order of what comes to mind first:
-I really really love the city of Portland and our awesome church Solid Rock.  I say that, because it's been a rad to hang with everone this last month or so.

-The 2nd New Faces New Music radio tour was a blast.  Read my blog on that from the first one.  I love all my good, godly, encourageing FACE friends Britt Nicole, Sara Reeves, (Phil) Danyew, Josh Wilson and the rest of the record label guys that helped make it happen - Brian, Brian and Hudson, oh and of course Jamie from Hear It First.  Thank you all, as well as the radio stations involved.   What a blessing!
Jamie took a bunch of video's and stuff.  She's rad.  And if she's reading this, I still haven't seen the video's. ;)

-I'm reading Brother Karamazov because it's a classic, and it's finally getting intresting around page 300.  Yeah, I might put this one down and move on to Lilith by Gearge MacDonald (recomended by my freind Josh White of Telecast), or finish Shane Claiborne's  The Irresistable Revelution.

-I'm listening to a mess of great music right now, much of which is not on my TOP 10 of 2008 because they were released in '07 or even later.  More of that to come...

-Oh, and this is kinda BIG news.  ATGS has aquired a drummer, potentially full time.  His name is Kyle Scott from CO. Springs.   It's a pretty amazing story how our paths crossed, which I'll share later. 
What you need to know is that Kyle is an amazing, godly, down to earth (especially for a drummer), and extremely talented musician.  I can't wait to start writing songs, hangin out and playing shows with this guy, maybe even as soon as April.
If this doesn't make sense, let me explain.  ATGS started after the we made the record.  The guys one the cover (Brook and Tim) as well as the others that have played with me live (Chris, Ryan D. and Ryan P.) are great friends, and we all help out at the same church.  None of us intended on playing music full time, but it's been brought to us... I guess.  As I've said before, we're just guys that want to know Jesus more, and happen to play music as well.
With that in mind, Brook (drummer/ the dude with the green plaid shirt) is a full time youth pastor, student and husband, and is getting ready to be a Dad.  Hurray!  All those things are so awesome.
He wouldn't be able to do any of those things if he were to join ATGS full time, so with that, sadly for me, he won't be playing with us any more (or as much).

-Things I'd love prayer for, more full time band members, preferable a multi-talented bass player, finainces to support them, and a booking agent.

-Other than that, I want to thank everyone who's supported us, by either coming to shows, buying the CD or simply just encouraging us in prayer.  I defintely have seen some amazing things that make me believe this is what God is intending for us. 
Like the Proverb - we've planned our way, and God has directed our steps.  He's been more than good to us, and just one example is the Buliding 429 tour these next two months.

-Join us, pray for us!  I have lot's of things that God is laying on my heart for this coming year.  New songs, new stories and old Truths!

Under His Mercy,

-Michael