I Will Never Be
Another Geoff Bullock rewrite - you can read the others here
Old version
I Will Never Be
Words & Music: Geoff Bullock
© 1995 Word Music
Verse 1:
I will never be the same again
I can never return
I’ve closed the door
I will walk the path
I will run the race
And I will never be the same again.
Chorus:
Fall like fire, soak like rain.
Flow mighty waters
Again and again.
Sweep away the darkness,
Burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn
To glorify Your name.
Verse 2:
There are higher height,
There are deeper seas,
Whatever You need to do Lord,
Do it in me.
The glory of God fills my life
And I will never be the same again.
Chorus:
Fall like fire, soak like rain.
Flow mighty waters
Again and again.
Sweep away the darkness,
Burn away the chaff,
And let a flame burn
To glorify Your name.
Verse 1:
I will never be the same again
I can never return
I’ve closed the door
I will walk the path
I will run the race
And I will never be the same again.
New version
I Will Never Be
(Version Two)
Music ©: 1995 Word Music
Words ©: 2004 Geoff Bullock
Verse 1:
I will never be the same again
I can never return
I’ve closed the door
You have walked my path,
You have run my race
So I may never be the same again.
Chorus:
Love like fire, grace like rain.
Flows like mighty waters
Again and again.
Sweeps away my darkness,
Loves away my tears,
And lets a flame burn
That comforts all my fears
Verse 2:
Beyond the highest heights,
And the deepest seas,
Unmerited, unearned,
Eternal and free,
Your mercy and your love now fills my life
And I will never be the same again.
December 4th, 2005 at 10:34 am
The subtle shift of lyrics really do betray a deep sense of understanding who God is. The narrative in most modern worship songs seems to reflect strong egocentricness; e.g. what I can do, what I should do, what God should do for me. Our faith isn’t about what we can do unfortunately, but about what God can do Phillipians 2:13.
Cool rewrites *grin*
Your life reminds me of Phillipians 3:7-10.
Even after all is said and done, having God still sit by me when I’m sad is worth far more than the sound of applause from a 10,000 strong audience.
You took the one that was of greater worth.
Stumbled across this site… glad I did.
All the best.
January 2nd, 2006 at 8:57 am
I stumbled on this website and it has made for some interesting reflection. Thanks for your honesty - it’s insane the similarity in our situations: I am from a small country in Sub-Saharan Africa and yet, the story of the mega-church and worship is crazily the same. In the end, all glory belongs to God and all our efforts at rightousness are futile attempts that only reek. The pressure to “perform” as a worship leader can be so great and how is it is for our “worship” to become an art form so far removed from the adoration of our Creator which is what true worship is truly about. How quickly the tool becomes the focal point. There is a song that every man was made to sing to our Father, but we lose it all when songs become the focal point rather than God.
As for brokenness, in our weakness God’s strength is perfected in us. And to the gravest of all sinners is the depth of Christ’s mercy and grace revealed. If not for brokenness our self-sufficiency would be enough and that a sad state to be in.
God bless you.
Cheryl
January 2nd, 2006 at 2:18 pm
thanks so much Cheryl… I so appreciate your comments
May 23rd, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Hi Geoff, I am a Baptist pastor in Alice Springs - just so you know who I am. Stumbled across this site like other people have, it saddens me a lot when I read some foolish condemnations of you. It seems people forget their Scriptures. So often psalm 51 is quoted as a favourite and yet David had just gone through the most incredible fall imaginable, and yet God’s grace was sufficient for him. We know God does not cause us to sin, but He meets us in our brokenness and so often as broken vessels we truly begin serving Him.
I just want to thankyou for “Oh the Mercy of God”. This song rejoices in the fact that our salvation does not depend on our selves, but on the mighty grace of God.
Bless you brother,
Sam.
May 23rd, 2006 at 6:21 pm
Thank you Sam… drop me a line geoffbullock@bigpond.com
June 3rd, 2006 at 12:32 am
Hi Geoff and everyone else,
God is full of grace but unfortunately people are not.When God forgives us our sins are buried in the deepest ocean and as far as the east is from the west we as humans keep them close by for use in an emergency.For example if my wife ever was put into the position of admitting she was wrong the trump card of my infidality would be played just to prove that I am worse than here it is a way of her never taking responsibility because I am responible for every sin she now trangresses because I slept with Prostitutes. Gods love is unconditional but people have so many conditions on our love. I would love to have that kind of grace that kind of forgiveness that kind of love. I want to be full of love full of grace and quick to forgive. Geoff I read your story of falling into Gods grace and being accepted by him it brings me great hope to know another Christian man has known that same grace I accepted from God. It is hard to not know the same forgiveness from my wife and some others around, but I am comforted to know that God has forgiven me and he accepts me. Geoff if it is not too personal have your ex-wife and your children forgiven you if so how does that feel if not how does that feel? God bless you Geoff and everyone else I am blessed by your honesty. God does know our hearts and he will hold us accountable for what we do or don’t do. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you all. By the way I would love to have some praise and worhip with you all some time!
With the love of Christ
Ash
June 3rd, 2006 at 8:29 am
Ashley…. so wish I read this post before my last reply to you. Thank you my brother, yes, it is too wonderful to contemplate.. all that God appears to be to the willful broken and failed.
June 3rd, 2006 at 8:37 am
Ashley is a great guy and a freind of mine outside the blogosphere. Welcome on board Ashley.
June 3rd, 2006 at 8:43 am
Ashley… are you the same Ashley that posted the song “Power in the blood”?
June 3rd, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Yes Geoff - it is tht same Ashley.
I had afternnon tea with Ashley his lovely wife and two beuatiful kids this afternoon.
Ashley, will not mind me sharing that he has had his share of experiences with legalistic Churches - and he has a wonderful understansing of Grace.
He has recieved Grace, and despite his experiences is one of the most gracious and transparent people I know … a guy with an ever present smile.
June 4th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Hope I didn’t offend him with my post on the other thread… oh dear, wish I would restrain my opinions at times… grrr
January 28th, 2007 at 8:38 am
HI Geoff
I am really moved by the re-write of ‘I will never be’. It is so true. Jesus did it all- walked the path, ran the full course, so that we many never be the same again. Unmerited grace and favour…
I stumbled upon this website. But then again; I will call it a divine appointment:))
August 11th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I am sitting here in my son’s hospital room. He has been in intensive care for 6 months waiting on a lung transplant. I have been trying to hang on to God through all of this. Lately I have been trying to draw closer to God because He seems so far away right now. In addition to spending time in my Bible, I have been spending a lot of time listening to worship music. I heard this song (the old version) for the first time today. It caught my attention immediately. I listened to it over and over all afternoon. I loved the lyrics. The singer spoke my heart. I found myself making a new committment to the Lord as I listened to the song. I also committed to ‘never be the same again’. I spoke in my heart that I would ‘run the race’ yes, and “I will walk the path” no matter what comes my way.
After listening to the song some 10 or more times I was determined to find the lyrics so that I could understand all the words. That is how I found this website. I wanted to share how the original words were anointed by God and inspiring to me. The singer was making a stand for God. Determined to walk in the path of God. There are a million songs about what God has done, but few that explain a turning point in someone’s spiritual life like the original version of this song. It touched my soul.
August 11th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Great Post TinaM. As a parent myself, I feel for you. Will pray for you guys.
August 11th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Dear Tina,
I am also a mother. I can not begin to imagine what you have experienced.
But rest assured, from across cyberspace, my most heart felt thoughts are with you at this moment.
August 11th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Tina - The song is awesome, i agree. old or new version.
Here is a youtube link you might like also “In Christ Alone”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8welVgKX8Qo
or
John Mark McMillan “How he Loves”
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=131266631&MyToken=315b0c5a-428c-402b-9faf-fcc29348d706
Blessings to you…
August 17th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Thank you all for your kind, encouraging words. If you have a moment, could you say a prayer for my son. His name is Job. His website is http://www.caringbridge.org/ar/job.
August 17th, 2007 at 10:46 am
Sorry, the link is http://www.caringbridge.org/ar/job (without the last period).