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.
September 14th, 2005 at 6:30 am
I WILL never be the same again - but not because of what I have done, but because of the wonderful grace God has shown me, undeserved, and overflowing.
Thanks Geoff. You have no idea how much your changed words reflect my own change in thinking in the past 2-3 years. You are putting into words some thoughts that have not found expression before
Blessings
Janet
… and again comes the conviction I need to write the story down.
September 15th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
Geoff - Are you rewriting EVERY song - isn’t that kind of like touching up the Mona Lisa - DUDE… they aren’t twisting people’s brains, their quite good and have been inspiring to me and others as they are. But, if you want to, it’s you right. But I’ve never had a theological backspin because of any of them. it’s where you were at the moment, it seems like your trying to change the past. I like your new stuff too, but your older stuff was good to. And probably just as inspired then as your new stuff is now. Thanks for them all.
September 21st, 2005 at 8:03 am
Thanks Janet and Kevin, sorry for the tardy response to your comments. The main reason for the rewrites is to simply take the focus from “what we do for God” to give us a sense of spiritual affirmation and placing it firmly on “what God has done and is doing for us”. I am convinced that what I think, do or say about God will always prove my inability to be anything else but grace dependant. However, what God “thinks, does and says” about me is a miracle that can never be fully grasped. It is simply too wonderful. How could we ask this of the Creator of the universe. Thinking about it just spins me out. God.. do we really understand the enormity of those three letters…. God reduces himself to humanity so we can know and say:
“You have walked my path,
You have run my race
So I may never be the same again.”
I just cannot say or sing it the other way anymore. I am totally stuffed if I do the walking and running.
There’s nothing to celebrate about my actions… but, what God does… can’t stop celebrating.. just blows me away, and I have to ask myself whether we really understand it at all!!!
September 21st, 2005 at 9:28 am
geoff - have to ask myself whether we really understand it at all!!!
So do I - I am a pastor of a very small church in Indiana USA - darned if I can figure out anything - God is a mystery, revealed partially to people who cannot grasp or fathom anything near the fullness of who / what He is. He is breath taking. The church - darned if I can figure it out either, what is it supposed to be , what are we supposed to do, HOW do we do it. Yet somehow, it is all so wonderful, somehow. do you know a writer in Sydney named Scott Ezzy - writes much about grace stuff?
September 21st, 2005 at 12:32 pm
Geoff,
It is hugely refreshing to see you re-working the words of these well-known songs, songs that we’ve all be so comfortable to sing. These new versions turn them around and make them so much more God focused and Grace focused. More about what HE has done that how I can worship him for what he’s done.
God bless you !
September 22nd, 2005 at 7:37 am
Thanks guys, so appreciate your encouragement. It’s so funny to start to travel along the journey that “we” don’t treally have a clue about the God that we are offering beach other and the world through our religious works. Sort of makes the whole process irrelevant! Perhaps we should stop trying to define God, to build church, to be responsible to a communal revelation and concept and simply celebrate God’s choice to personally reveal himself, defining himself through individual contact with our broken lives and to build his body into us, a body made of individuals that find community through the freedom to celebrate the “God beyond another’s definition”.
Sort of sounds like the community of “Signposts”!
September 26th, 2005 at 9:41 pm
[…] ory/”> The power and the glory The great south-land The stone’s been rolled away I will never be Mercy/Glory Refresh my heart […]
September 29th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
geoff, whilst i appreciate your music and can understand your need to rewrite some lyrics. Better off to concentrate on getting your own life together mate..
September 29th, 2005 at 12:52 pm
ummm…who says that rewriting lyrics isn’t part of “getting your life together”.
“Better off to concentrate on getting your own life together mate”…what sort of comment is that anyway??
September 29th, 2005 at 3:36 pm
believe me thats what we all want in life…all the best to you all
September 29th, 2005 at 3:47 pm
Nice way to try and be snide, “booboo”. You’re an ordinary effort.
September 29th, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Dear booboo, thanks for your comment. Just a small question of you. Have you read all the articles and interviews that I have conducted? Do you know me? Why is it that you can comment so freely on someone that you only know from gossip and “reputation”. I have spoken freely concerning all that I have done, all that you think now needs me to “get my life together”. By this, I assume you think my life is “not together”. So, why don’t you illuminate us with your life. I don’t hide behind a pseudonym. I use my own name, answer all questions, sometimes with brutal honesty. So, let’s see the size of your character. How about posting here using your own name and telling your own story. Then you will be credible enough to at least presume to judge. Just to illuminate you further, here is a link to a very personal article that tells the story of my “untogetherness” http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4734.htm
Now that I have exposed my hurt to your glib comment, let me assure you that I have, and continue to do, everything and anything possible to be responsible and accountable to the sad mistakes of life. Ask my children. They may even be reading this blog! Ask my ex-wife. Ask my friends. I think you may find me very different to your assumption.
Finally, and most importantly, my character is not only defined by my actions, or the actions of those who have hurt me. My character, our character is defined by how we “recieve grace” and then “what we do about it”. We recieve grace because we cannot jusify anything we do. If God refuses to be gracious then all of us are goners. We are beyond any sense of spiritual wholeness and soul peace. But, having recieved grace, we only have half the message of Jesus. Grace recieved must then be grace given, booboo.
Grace to you, my friend.
I look forward to your reply.
September 30th, 2005 at 11:23 am
“Better off to concentrate on getting your own life together mate..”
Dear booboo.
I hardly know where to start in replying to this, so will instead ask you a number of questions to which I hope that you will have the courteousy to respond:
Were you there all those years that Geoff was at HIlls, working alongside him & seeing what happened?
I was & I did.
Were you there the weekend of October 12th 1995 when Geoff left and the show went on with the 1st Shout to the Lord recording?
I was and I saw what happened.
Were you there when sometime later Geoff’s wife left him & he spiralled while coping with the impact to his ministry?
I was & I saw how it was handled from the AOG side.
Were you there when Geoff eventually “fell” himself and went through the next two years publically facing the humiliation of dealing with his sin, confessing & repenting for the world to hear, again & again?
I was & heard the twisted rumours and gossip.
Have you ever sinned, then had to relive it, replay it, and apologise for it, not only to God & the wounded parties involved, but to the entire world via all mediums of media over and over and over again?
I haven’t, thank God & nor would I ever presume to tell someone who has stood “trial by media” with all its distortions & twists that they should “get their life together”
Surely the fact that a man has fallen, repented, humbled himself, kept functioning as a father, and kept loving and serving his Lord has truly “gotten his life together.”
September 30th, 2005 at 3:23 pm
Dearest Jane, what can I say, thank you from the depth of my soul. This is the first time that I have been publically defended from one who “was there”. it has been a lonely journey, and the silence has been deafening. You comments today go a little way to still the pain that is always there, that simply needs a ‘booboo’ to open the wounds again.
The only thing I can add is that my “fall” was not from reputation or goodness, all that happened was my sense of self righteousness was exposed and i had to totally “fall into grace”. In essence, all that had changed were the sad consequences that I had to face. As far as my position with God… I was always fallen and always in grace.
October 1st, 2005 at 12:48 pm
Bless you Geoff.
We’ve both been through a nightmare wilderness experience as you know.
But imagine doing it without God? None of us would have survived. His grace has certainly been sufficient for me.
October 6th, 2005 at 9:33 pm
Geoff, are you in NZ? I would love to fly to where ever you are and buy you lunch if at all possible?
You may remember me? I was an actor and very much involved in Drama at CLC, did a few stage things at our special events, and once I was very obnoxious to the someone on your team and you sacked me in front of everyone on stage during a rehearsal. Was one of the best things that ever happened to me. And I mean that. None one else was showing me any Father-like discipline, and it made me think! I also had the incredible opportunity of twice sitting with you in your office at the Hub while I witnessed God pouring put His glory through your fingers and lips as news songs came to life. Moments I shall never forget.
I am now in Auckland, but soon to move to the US. I am going to work for someone you know, but I shan’t name. He hails from South Auckland, is now in his early 60s and speaks to youth around the world. That should be enough for you to know who it is and not many others. I think we could co-operate on some things here in NZ this summer. Give me a call, please, I would be honoured, 021 233 0757. Shane
October 6th, 2005 at 11:34 pm
I like the new lyrics…like a lot of things I have noticed of late, in subtlety there is significant difference!
October 10th, 2005 at 8:06 am
Hi Shane, thanks for the encouragement. I’m living north of Sydney at the moment. Oh, dear, I am so sorry for humiliating you in front of evrybody… how unbelievably cruel of me. There is so much I now regret about my former mission and methods, it just makes me cringe. THere is no excuse for such insensitive dogmatic leadership. I am so very grateful that you have been so gracious with the memory. Please feel free to contact Phil, the site admin, for my email address and we could talk further.
And to Lionfish…. thanks heaps!
November 4th, 2005 at 7:44 pm
Geoff, I just wanted to affirm you for the awesome music you have produced over the years, it was so important to me in my early years of getting to know Jesus. Thank you so much for allowing God to speak through your music as He does. With the new lyrics it is great to know you are continuing to grow in Him. Best wishes, Mike.
November 4th, 2005 at 9:22 pm
I have been reading what happened with HS and Geoff Bullock.
Does anyone know if HS handled Pat Mesitis departure any better. What has happened to Pat? Is he still an evangelist.
I’m from WA so we dont really get much news. Alot of the stuff about Geoff I am reading is the first time.
Are Pat And Brian mates???
November 5th, 2005 at 9:42 am
Hi Ned, There is a fundamental difference between my departure from HS and Pats. I simply decided it was time to move on. The failure of my marriage and then my moral failure came a good deal after leaving. Pat’s departure from HS was to do with the poor man having moral difficulties that simply become public knowledge whilst still being active in the HS franchise. He was stood down and subsequently divorced his wife Liz. He has remarried. All very sad, all sadly very human and all goes to show, that, if we choose to let our morality be the affirming sign of our faith we will simply be proved to be in total need of grace. This is where the concept of “behavioural spirituality” simply comes undone. Our behaviour will always condemn us. It is the simple truth of the affirmation of grace and forgiveness in our lives that gives us hope to face our humanity and be responsible for the consequences. Pat is trying to return to ministry.. at least that was the last I heard.. I do not know of his relationship with Brian Houston.
November 5th, 2005 at 8:27 pm
Geoff
Thank you for your openness and honesty. Hopefully Pat will
have the same revelation of grace that God has given you.
Blessings for future
November 30th, 2005 at 12:05 am
hi geoff,
im really empressed the effects and the totality of your song.i will never be…im a baptist believer.im waiting and hoping that your next songs you write will emphasized that God really love us and willing to save us through
his son Jesus Christ…
thank you..
siter in christ,
liscel
November 30th, 2005 at 7:19 am
Thanks Liscel, I so appreciate your comments
November 30th, 2005 at 11:22 pm
Geoff,
I have only just read this site tonight - I was researching some thoughts on your song ” Oh the Mercy of God” - what you said in your replies confirm my own thoughts - I had noticed a change of emphasis in your songs when I first listened to the CD ” Unfailing love”. Reading this site and your interview with Diane Benge gives insight into some of your later songs like ” I am Carried ” and the rewrite of songs like ” Have faith in God” As you have said - focus on God’s grace towards us - He reaches out to me - it is His mercy and His grace that gives us daily hope. Thank you for your honesty and I am sure God will guide you through the minstry he has set before you.
God Blessing
Darryl
December 1st, 2005 at 9:34 am
why did Zwingli forbid music?
December 1st, 2005 at 2:54 pm
I don’t know?
why did Zwingli forbid music?
is this like: “Knock, knock….who’s there?”
December 1st, 2005 at 3:48 pm
Hi Geoff - Kevin here, would you like to continue the ultimate grace - for lack of a better way to call it - maybe just grace would work out okay.
I was interested in your comments about it when we approached it a month ago. I was wondering if your familiar with Carlton Pearsons website and his views on grace. He has become somewhat controversial in some circles here. http://higherd.org/ - FYI
Just interested in your views a bit more no judgement.
December 1st, 2005 at 5:13 pm
Hi Kevin, thanks mate, I’ll look at the link. I’m more than happy to dicuss my views. Thanks so much for the gentlesness of your question.
December 1st, 2005 at 11:55 pm
I think that grace is the most mis understood, under researched element of our understanding of God. You probably won’t agree with me - visa versa - but hopefully our understanding will increase - that would never be bad.
One of my Australian influences is David Crabtree from Castle Hills - and he has expounded on grace to me. I tend to agree with him, much. One of his influential writers is Gordon Fee, who says that grace is more than unmerited favor - and he describes it as God’s empowering presence.
a family member of mine sold his business a few years ago, and moved to Ft. Worth texas to be near the Copeland ministry. He became familiar with them, and was one of their followers becasue of Kenneths teaching on the covenant. He used be be hook, line and sinker Copeland. After being involved he came back home almost disillusioned with Christianity. I think they saw more than they bargained for, and to cut to the chase… after their experience there came to the “ultimate” grace thought.
Hannah Hunard, who wrote “Hinds Feet on High Places” I have been told, also came to “ultimate grace” after she had written that book. And it’s a very good book. So you will know, I am not wanting to argue, fight or even debate much, that would be counter productive. I have almost stopped even reading some things on here becasue of personal attacks on some people, may have appeared to engage in a few, but I had a sinsister reason behind it. So don’t worry mate, I respect your thoughts even if I disagree.
I really enjoyed Rev’s comments on his experience at Riverview - becasue of their diversity ( his and Phil Baker’s)- i liked your line about learnig God to understand the Bible, also. Here’s to you.