Trevor Baker Concert - Let's Go Home — Trevor Baker

Welcome. How's everybody doing good, that's good. Look look friendly hey. They must have screened them at the door. They got the ones. For those of you who Don't know who I am or anything just give you a little overview of where I came from.

I was raised on a small farm. I Didn't grow up in a in a church I was. I Ended up suicidal in my early 20s. It's fairly easy to talk about now because it's a long time ago. But it wasn't good back then and my best friend took his life at that point a little hard time.

But God uses hard times and most people Seems like they have to hit a wall Before they look up, and I was no different. I met a preacher at a small wedding and and Well, he helped me a lot and he told me about a God that I didn't know anything about and I Picked up a guitar when I was 27.

And I started getting songs and I'd worked on farms for 20 years as a relief milker. And I traveled around I was a farmhand and did all that stuff. The last eight years all we've been doing is singing just in Canada mostly we had done six CDs and and I thought you know I Guess that's it.

You know God gave me enough songs, and I never read in any songs for for about three years. And all of a sudden this past spring I got Enough songs for two CDs it all came just in a in a big every time.

I look at a hydropole. I get a song. It's getting ridiculous, you know. But many of the songs are to deal with. I've had a scripture in my head the last few days, so I'm assuming it's because God put it there, and it's in Jeremiah.

Prophetic Warnings and the Need to Return to the Gospel

And we've seen I believe you see this and it's a very puzzling thing in our nation. It says the prophets prophesy lies and the priests or Pastors if you want to say they're ruled by their own authority and the people love it this way.

That's a scary Scripture but I Believe there's a fair bit of truth in that you see in the churches. We have a soft church age and I'm not an expert. I haven't figured it all out and maybe I never will but all I'm Gonna do tonight is try to sing a few little songs that may May help someone somewhere I've I've heard a Few stories of people that lives were almost shipwrecked and some terrible things 15 20 years.

Marriage is torn apart all because of a polite word would be silliness in the church. But it's come from this new gospel that started about 30 years ago. But I want to start with a with a song I tell everybody I'm a deep thinker and they lock most of us up.

I'm still running around. But I like to have fun like everybody but there's a time and a place and Bible talks about times when people's joy should turn to mourning and Nobody wants to mourn not in North America.

Let's just all be happy. Well who defined what happy is? God's looking for people I believe today to stand up Where they are and live for God and this song here is. It's called picture of today, and it's it's Noah.

Everybody knows about Noah. I didn't grow up in church, and I knew about him. He's the guy with the boat and all the cute animals where they go. I Don't know why you didn't take care of the mosquito when you had a chance, but he was Wasn't really thinking there, but.

But if you read you read the Bible. It's more than just a picture on a wall with some you know boat and the cute animals. The Bible says that Noah was a preacher of righteousness. So put that together took him a hundred years to build the boat more than a hundred.

Noah must have preached beside the boat. And it probably just wasn't some Sunday morning. It may well have been every day for a hundred years and The story goes that the flood Took them all away. Hardly anybody listened to that man.

It's it's quite a story if you you know it's not just a cute story think about it. The man was not there for two weeks like they had an excuse. Well He's just some crazy old man. God told him build a boat was he know hundred years.

And they still didn't recognize God's man when he stood up and then you look on and you you read. Later in the New Testament it says as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be in the end. And I'm not saying this is you know that I know the end and when but there's some very Definite signs of some things happening.

If you were to bring some people back out of the grave today from 50 years ago. Who weren't even Christians? They would look around and they say why do you live like this? What's wrong with you people?

So Noah, I would imagine once again. I don't know I wasn't there. But I have a feeling that Noah cried at night a lot because he talked to the people and they wouldn't listen. Songs called picture of today.

It will be like the days of Noah. Men will shake their fists and laugh at God. The curse is named from early in the morning and run from every good thing. They've been taught. You wonder how they get along without a savior.

But all around their world is crashing to the ground. Still there's no room for some baby in a manger. Eat drink and party you just get one time around cuz they don't care where they go. Even if there's hell to pay.

Can't see their reaping what they're sowing. That's a picture of today. If you gave these folks a brush and a can. Most of the pain would be just outside the line. They call it freedom of expression when it's madness.

They say to make this world go around it takes all kind. When you look them in the eye you see a sadness. In that state they should be ready for some love. They think only money fame and dreams will bring you gladness.

They don't want the stuff it's from up above. They don't care where they go. And see the reaping. Heaven's just for those with simple mind. If today get with the time they don't care. Even if there's hell.

That's a picture of today. State. I have a daughter right over here Amanda, and I have two daughters and Sarah. Our oldest daughter our firstborn the first. She's she's up in Grand Prairie Alberta going to Bible school and.

So they've all three of them. Well, I live with three three three nice ladies. Even when I traveled in the first motorhome we got a hamster and it turned we thought it was a boy and it turned out to be a girl.

Follows me around but they put up with a lot because I I Do a lot of thinking and I do it out loud and I'm always trying to figure things out. God. What's it all about? And This song here is called I'm leaving town and I Remember as a brand-new Christian.

I I came home and I was 22 years old and first few little experiences. I noticed or Signs, I guess I was just learning. I was working on a farm. Man was quite sick and I worked there for two years. Helping out and and It was May and I had the old farmers old pickup truck and I was picking out brush along the fence.

You know stuff you do clean things up and and I had the door open and the radio blasting like I'd always done. You know, just I'd been in church. Just just a few weeks. I'd heard some songs that I'd never heard before and I remember I went to this thing on a Sunday night I think the first Sunday night after I became a Christian and they they called it singspiration and it was this little church and people would get up and sing a song and a family would get Up and then they'd sing a couple song and the whole you know, almost everybody would sing a song.

Some of them, you know, they didn't hold that great of a tune, but it didn't seem to matter. I Recognized something and I heard something that I'd never noticed before or been around. And I'm not saying all of these people Were following God, but there was quite a few of them and I noticed the radio songs didn't sound as good as the ones in Church, they're supposed to be the professional.

But wait a minute. You see I was learning that, you know, the whole value system is different. You you you you march to the beat of a different drum and. So I turned the radio off, of course, I turned it back on later, but then I turned it off again.

I was having this anyway. My dilemma, I guess if you call it is I have a hard time understanding in our church age. How so many people Still have a twinkle in their eye for that stuff. But yet Jesus is on their lips.

To me, it's almost grade one Christianity. I thought that's that's from the very beginning, isn't it? If people had a true conversion the world looks funny. Like the old chorus said turn your eyes upon Jesus and if things of this earth grow strangely dim I'm leaving town.

Leaving the World Behind and Choosing Prayer

There are days When I fall down on my knees. And I must admit I'm just plain tired preaching C to C. Convincing men they need the Lord is no small task today. It Seems most would rather play than pray.

What compels a man to live his life alone? From post to post they wander. Still their hearts must grow. They're looking for the answer, but their search is all in vain. Until they turn to God their sin remains.

Don't they want to go to heaven. Don't they know it's peaceful there, but they chose this world. One is full of heartaches and slogans that let you down they can have it all. I'm leaving now. We get all in with our cars and sporting games.

But when we turn the key Start the game. It never brings a change. We're hopelessly devoted To things that can't fulfill. We live from day to day for that next thrill. Don't we want to go to hell. Don't we know it's peaceful.

But we chose this world. Let you down they can have it all. But as for me I just want to go to heaven. I hear it's peaceful there. I've tried this world really don't want us they can. Classrooms that I get to walk through every year and God knows how to teach you stuff.

Boy. I Had one last October and I was in asked to sing at Saskatoon at a trades fair convention for the Western provinces and They had a big award thing and a banquet Friday night a big award thing Saturday night and Sunday morning they had a small breakfast and I guess they wanted to you know somebody to some sing amazing grace or some little token song make them feel good or.

And I realized most of the people wouldn't be there, but I said I'd still go you never know who's listening and. But she called a week before and she sounded a little bit Panicking on the phone, and I realized probably there was no one else to ask and I was the last straw.

She had a cancellation on a Friday night, and she said you wouldn't want to sing on a Friday night. I said well if you want me to so I went and there was five acts that night each had a half an hour and It's a big place and everybody's at their tables and everybody's drinking and yakking and not the easiest place to sing gospel music and and tell a story about a song because You're more background music than anything and the first guy got up.

And he was a singer and and nobody listened to him. And I realized what it's gonna be hard and the next guy he was a comedian. And I wish I could tell you was funny the guy was. I knew what a dirty joke was.

But I guess I've been removed from that a little bit. There's no line they don't cross. Let's say anything. And I was backstage. I thought some people would be embarrassed because of he just kept going and deeper and deeper and I am but didn't work that way.

The worse he got the louder they roared. And I was backstage, and I had to sing after him and I thought oh I Want to go at the back door, but I couldn't find it. But I went out and I I said God I I told him I said this is why I'm here.

I said I God gave me a new lease on life, and I have a few little songs. And they're nothing special and I get scared when I do this, but if you'd like to listen I'll sing. To my surprise they didn't make a sound for half an hour.

I wasn't expecting that. But they listened and but what I learned that weekend was this and that's where this next song comes into play. People came up to me afterwards, but it was always there's quite a few of them.

But it was always alone in the elevator, and they'd say good job and in the bathroom. You know one on one one Christian to another. I really liked what you did. But I watched those people through that weekend.

There's quite a few and they wouldn't come near me in the crowd. I don't know when I went to school two and two was four. You Want to be a Christian. Stand up be counted see that's about where we are today.

We've like I've. I've heard somebody. I'm just stealing an expression that I heard somebody else use, but it used to be that. The the church was up here and the world was down here. The world sunk way down and now we think if the church if we're three notches above where the world is.

We're okay, and they'll want to come to where we are they can almost step over. But it never worked like that before all those people for years that live by standards and values. Called themselves Christians.

Apparently they didn't have to do that. So either they were wrong or this new church age is wrong. They look at and they say there's a Christian. But then they say I don't see you know. He's marginally different than I am just a little.

Why exactly do I need this in my life? This is the North American Christian. Started out you didn't see a lot of horsing around. When you spotted a Christian you knew what was going down. They weren't in love with the world yet.

They were awful kind their life spoke so loud. They didn't need no sign. They didn't fit in like today. Wasn't again. So we modified it a bit so we'd all look the same. Follow me. I'm a North American Christian.

Well, I'm not that different. Except I gotta buy read those how-to books on the important stuff. Follow me. I'm a North American Christian. Need to be living also start to wonder what we're living for.

They might get to believe in that the Bible is true. Yeah, they'll figure me out. And then what will I do? Gotta keep this thing from getting out. I'm in the middle of the road and it's right where I'm gonna spend.

I'm a North American Christian. Well, I'm not that different from anybody else except I got a Bible on my shelf. I mostly read those magazines about my car, my truck, my great big dream. Follow me. I'm a North American Christian.

God was asking a little bit all join hands and try to get along. Doesn't take too long. And I'm sure there's people here and people are listening to this if you've Set your mind and say God I want to.

I want to follow you. It'll be a very short time before you you will run. Well, you run into a bit of trouble and you'll run smack dab into the Social religiosity of the day too. We had an experience last year.

God got us a little house. We live in Tuxford, Saskatchewan. Does anybody know where that is? Does anybody want to know where that is? But we make a long story short was We had a little 110 year old farmhouse and God Had worked for years to try to pay the whole thing off and then God sent us into ministry and the house was gone.

Seven years later God gave us our house back. I wasn't even looking for it. It just happened in two days. It was a $37 ,000 the warmest little house we ever had. It's all fixed up and it was a log cabin and they moved it there and insulated the living daylights.

Cute little thing and Everything's cute. I have a cute wife. He's had cute house. I've cute cars. Does anybody ever I used to have chevettes. Anybody ever on a chevette? Can you get a mint to it? I had five of them and they were but they wouldn't start in the winter.

So God gave me something better. Now. I have I have geos, which is a. It's a three-cylinder. It's a sewing machine on wheels. Motorcycle 10 round. But we had lived in a mobile home for three years on a Bible school campus and this is what happened we ended up at a prayer meeting and on Saturday mornings when I was home and it was for a man that Had worked 40 years working with Muslims and he was a prisoner in his own home his wife had Alzheimer's and cancer and This man was he's a gem.

And I they started a meeting in his home because he couldn't go out anywhere so I went there and they'd gather around and And I'd listen to him tell his stories and watch the tears right down his face.

I Feel so far removed from any I didn't understand anything about missions or other countries. I mean I milked a cow I know To seem so distant and far away, but I started to understand a little bit of the need and so What we did was we felt God was telling us.

Well God basically almost gave us our trailer. So we gave it back. We thought we'll give it for missions except it sounded like an easy thing just you know put a sign up and we go but We got into a pickle and I would have never expected it, but I think it was a lesson and God was trying to show us something.

We had a couple of people that we thought we're gonna take the trailer and then all of a sudden they disappeared and They found something else and and it came down to a young couple that we'd received.

I got a phone call from them and I'd sort of just kind of discarded them because they were just young and they said they didn't have any money and there wasn't you know, but Just sounded like they were kind of hoping maybe.

Well, guess what they called. They were it they had the money. I thought oh, well we got somebody that's good so we can Do this and except that night I remembered When he talked to me on the phone, he said they were getting married first.

I thought that's great. But all of a sudden this equation didn't work. They were living together and I was gonna take their money and give it to missions. Somehow that didn't go together. I Wasn't sure I can't do.

I can't do anything. What can I do if I mention one word? It'll sound like I'm saying you're a no-good-for-nothing lowdown rotten sinner. No matter how nice I said it so we prayed and this is what God told us to do.

We called them up. They were getting married. Anyway, we said we'll pay for your rent for a few months till you're married and we offered to chip in $1 ,000 to help Them with their wedding and they said yes, we went.

Oh, thank God. That wasn't so bad. Getting all worried for nothing. Except they call back the next day and they said who do you think you are? Didn't sound good. Because I said, you know, it's not 1952.

It's 2006. You're crazy. You can't tell us to do what you're doing. And I said, well, I'm trying to. I just I said my conscience won't allow me. They said you're crazy. I Said well, I'll have to throw my Bible out this afternoon.

They said no. No, we need Bibles. I said well, my Bible was the same in 1952. It is is in 2006. What am I supposed to do? I was shaken that night and I started to realize. If you want to live for God, you're gonna run into it.

Somebody has to stand for something don't they. I said we're not allowed to draw lines. You know when I was talking to him on the phone, I said well. He said you're discriminating and I said well, I don't I.

I said well, what about gay marriage? He says well, no, that's acceptable. I said well, what about abortion? He goes? No, I don't really like abortion. I said, oh you just drew a line. You're discriminating.

I said well soon. We'll be able to kill our mother. She's getting old. You know, that's that's the logic of this it's that bad. We'll do anything and I used to hear the and read in the Bible about the lonely road.

Jesus walked a lonely road up to a cross. Eleven of the twelve disciples were killed. For bringing the good news. Why did they kill him because with their life they drew a line? God drew a few lines. He had to.

Standing Firm When Society Rejects Biblical Boundaries

We live in a society says we don't need any lines. We have to have lines. This song is called the lonely road. It's from yesterday. Then remove you say we've come so far. You think if we're that smart.

We'd know more. I'll take. I believe the Saints of old Set a time would come like this. When many would grow old. Southgate warning we've been told keeps growing dark lights and left behind. Those who live their life for good harder.

You raise your voice against it they say what's the fun I'll take. They said a time would come like this when many would go. It's just a face your saner days ahead. Cuz at the rate we're going now, we might soon raise the dead.

They've been rolling around Quite some time and if they came back now, they'd say we've lost. I believe instead of time would come and many would grow. There's other people on the lonely road, I'm not the only one it's Quite a wrestling match sometimes, but it's not a hard decision which way to go.

But in the early years as a Christian, especially I I Thought God this thing better be real. I lost a lot of friends here. And I didn't even try and back again to the disciples. Remember they killed them.

These people weren't doing anything any harm and you're wrong. They were preaching the message that God from heaven Told them to preach. They loved people. Jesus loved people and they killed him because the Bible says men loved the darkness the light came in to the to the world but men loved the darkness and I guess it's been away from the beginning and I guess you can't really change it.

It'd be nice. You just think everybody would just come on. Let's go. Follow me. Let's go. But the wrestling match is I either have to Go with this all the way Walk away from it all or the worst of the three Is go to church and put all that effort Into trying to fool and other people that I'm still on the road.

The song here is called the show Goes on and in many churches across our nation, you don't have to go to the theater show goes on Sunday church the show is on. Heaven's all throughout their song. You'd think they meant them all.

They've been doing this for years. Sometimes they even shed some tears. Play is not like. They're so impressed by the world On their heart, which is fun. It looks like the villain got the girl. Please tell me why the show.

Their new flame is enough still they just want to have some fun. There was danger they would run. But up till now they're fine. They're so impressed by the world they're torn between which part they'd like to give them both.

They were shown just by how much they condone. They're saying heaven's not their home. They're so impressed by the world On their heart, which is one looks like the villain got the girl. I Guess the show must go.

Marriage, Testimony, and Songs of Love

I'm gonna do I'm gonna do a couple of Sort of love songs. I I think God gave me these because. Maybe I'm too serious at times. I tell her it's like horseradish. It's good, but you don't need a whole plate.

And I mean I get accused of that a little bit. I have a song That I wrote about my wife and and we had our marriage vows redone. Last year on our 20th anniversary and In the backyard of a missionary friend of ours about 45 people my wife had her wedding dress on.

So she's my first and second wife. I guess I like them both. Sorry but I We've come from a little bit of awkward backgrounds and I was like I said, I was suicidal and there was a lot of bitterness and and people not speaking in one another and that might sound like Not but my dad had an awful life because of that.

I was spared most of it. I Didn't have to deal with all that but he was beat up and locked in rooms and all and that was all through that Back there and but for the grace of God, that's the same path.

I would probably be in right now and My wife She's the city girl down the country boy and She had to come to the country for me to find her though because I wouldn't go to the city Cuz I I was scared scared to drive.

And I was a farmhick. I'm talking Hillbilly but well borderline my wife's story and I'm somewhat awkward to and some people say you're not supposed to talk about things and Just keep it to yourself. But the thing is when God gives you He's given us a voice.

I Fought it for quite a while, but I realized now that God's Giving me a place to speak and I don't I don't take it lightly. Before we left on this trip, we had 40 concerts in Two months. I felt God telling me to I fasted for a week and I saying God, please help me to say what I'm supposed to say and But it's to bring hope to other people that are in and if you don't remove the scars sometimes you can't get in there where people live and My wife's mom and God Is still God.

God loves her just as much as he loves us and It would only take One step on her part and God would come running. But she had she went through a couple husbands and became a gay rights activist and married another woman and People can say what they want.

But that's very difficult on Everybody only God can get you through that and I believe he has and so this song I wrote. I Told told this story before but I I Wrote it at a little campground called the rubber ducky resort in him.

It was kind of small little place, but Sitting beside a duck pond and I like her. The song is called Ivy wed walk this road. 20 years have passed. And as a wife, she's truly been much more than I could ask.

Beauty leaves me breathless. Her smile still melts my heart. Pledge again today. I'll stay with her till death. Do part I the way for God. Stanislaw David. I skipped to be. I knew she was the one Who would make my life?

Complete present sent from heaven. God wrapped her. Oh, so nice. I won the world that day. Cuz that girl became my wife. I'd be ready to be their dad. Just another gift from God that I never would have had.

Surely he has blessed me more than any man deserves. That's why I'm standing here today repeating these three words. For God I That song was a love song about my wife, but I Have three other kind of love songs about my wife too, but the very first song That I ever wrote.

Well, I'd written just just a few songs and my My wife came home and she said how come you don't write a song about me and I I said well I I'm not sure how I I you know, God gives me these other songs.

They just come from somewhere I don't know how to sit down and just rhyme. But I thought well, I'll give it a shot. She was going out the door to town to get some groceries. She was only gone for a couple hours.

And I just been reading a book in the Bible called the song of Solomon and I anybody Was kind of embarrassed when I read it the first time. I Wasn't sure but I just looked at it. It's just a short little book there.

I Thought well, there's some things in there. Maybe I can so I ended up with a little tune when she came home and She said that wasn't exactly what she was thinking. But see they they described they would be describing, you know, they're they're Wife or different or their husband and in that book and they use different terms than we do today.

Like we have all our little expressions like when I first date I called my wife I said she was cute as a button and I don't know maybe that was corny. But that was my line and you know, but they didn't say button or anything like that back then they had all kinds of other stuff and.

So I put this in a little song and I won't give God any credit for this song because he wouldn't. I wrote this. It's not very good. But and and but the thing is just because it didn't work for me this song Doesn't mean it won't work for some of you guys.

You could try it. You know, and maybe you've just never heard these terms and you go home and this could just change everything for you. May be good. It may be bad. This song is called. That's your wife.

Just after the book of Psalms. There's some biblical words in there to describe your wife if you're in love or you did something wrong. Now these words they used to be flattering. They don't get much use today.

Somewhere in the translation. They lost a little something. They used to say she's got hair like a flock of goats teeth like a flock of sheep. My nose like the Tower of Lebanon and you you really like her feet.

She's got a navel like a goblet and a waist like a mound of wheat. What they were really trying to say is she's so sweet. Yeah, that's your wife that's your wife and She really changed your life. She's the apple of your eye.

And you'll love her till you die. Yeah, that's your wife. That's your wife. She's a cutest little thing. Now. That's the kind of songs they used to sing. Now they talked a little different back then. Not sure if they'd qualify as compliments today.

But it all depends on your wife. This might take her breath away. Now if your wife is close, I mean what harm can it do. Just check your insurance policy once or twice. Grab her hand and sing her a verse or two.

Tell her she's got a neck like an ivory tower. Eyes just like dogs. Lips like a scarlet river. She's the one that your heart loves. Oh, she's got temples. Just like Pomegranates and you you really think you're blessed.

And all you're trying to say is she's the best. Yeah, that's your wife that's your wife. And she really changed your life. She's the apple of your eye. And you'll love her till you die. Yeah, that's your wife.

That's your wife. She's a cutest little thing. Now that's the kind of songs they used to sing now at this point your wife is angry or The doves in her eyes are gone. Just remind her that it's biblical and it's one of God's guys that wrote the song.

You figured it might spice things up. Or make your marriage strong. Now if the door is locked and you're outside well, you know, you figured wrong now apologizing is biblical to You and Rover can't fit in the same house.

After a few nights on the front porch. You'd be starting to miss your spouse. Just tell her that you're sorry and you won't be quoting the Bible to her no more. Promiser stuff like you'll do the dishes.

You won't snore like you did before. But she's your wife. She's your wife and She really changed your life. She's the apple of your eye. And you'll love her till you die. Yeah, that's your wife. That's your wife.

She's the cutest little thing. And this may not be the song you need. Yeah, you just might need a different song. Written before the brain surgery. Before we left on this trip, I got a song and I thought songs were all done.

You know God gave me all the songs and it stops and you know and. And. But I got this other song and I was thinking God no no more songs are too expensive. But we have a little church just down the road where.

Where we moved and went out looking exploring just driving down the road and I found and I'm not. I don't want to read into numbers too much, but Seven is pretty important number in the Bible. I know they use that stuff like that for gambling and stuff today, but God.

They didn't invent that God started God was his number a long time before they ever got a hold of it. This church is exactly seven kilometers from our house not six point nine not seven point one when you drive in the driveway in your part and It holds it's out in the middle of the prairies all by itself and holds maybe 35 people and it's a historic site.

Just with the door unlocked all year round. And I thought wow I found a Little treasure here. Didn't God did this for me? Wasn't just for me. I'm sure there's lots of other people. I read some notes in there people would leave notes people come there's guest books.

They come from all over the place. But to me it's almost like a Museum and that's what I wrote this song in there and when you say that statement really quickly it sounds good. Museum everybody likes museums.

That's fun places to go in the museum but if you analyze that sentence It's not a good thing. A museum is a place where people go to look at things that used to be and Aren't anymore. We're almost at the point Where we could make a museum in Canada for what the church used to be.

The Church as a Museum: Recovering the Old Gospel

And people said well you're really stepping out on a limb saying things like that, that's not. There's lots of good things in church. Well I learned many things. That I didn't realize I would learn living on a Bible school campus the largest one in Canada.