Another exciting year only recently ended but we are already busy getting ready for a new crew of apprentices starting in just a weeks time. As I get things in place for the new teams training, organising accommodation, food, schedules, seminar notes, transportation, and lots more I am becoming increasingly aware our horizon is on…
Author: marknathanriley
EU Referendum: Choose Hope
I don’t usually share much of my thoughts about politics but perhaps like me you’ve been a little surprised by some reactions to the EU referendum result. Over the last few days I’ve scrolled through my social media feeds quite amazed by how many people have written the future off in despair & fear. So…
Numbers
When conversations come around to numbers some of us get a little uncomfortable. I’m not especially a fan of stats, as a recovering pessimist I’m naturally a little suspicious & its seems all to common & all to easy to manipulate numbers to create an illusion or spin. But there are some numbers I am…
We need more – EU Referendum
In a months time we will be voting to decide whether we stay in the European Union. But I don’t think we have enough information to make an educated decision. This is probably the single biggest decision of this decade and emotions seem to be running high and ideals running wide in the world of…
Legacy – Successful Succession
Recently I read again the story of Joseph at the end of Genesis and the following account of Israel’s misery in Egypt at the beginning of Exodus. They are stories I have read many times before but something caught my attention that I’d never really paid attention to before. The massive gap of information between…
Pais Movement International Gathering #GS2016
Over the course of the last week I have been with some of the most inspirational people I have ever met. Every year the Pais Movement leaders gather from all over the world in Texas for Pais’ Global Summit. It is always a great week of catching up and hearing stories of what God is…
Book Review – ‘Leading’ Alex Ferguson
Over the last couple of weeks I have been reading Alex Ferguson’s latest book ‘Leading’ Looking past the abundance of anecdotal stories and incessant name dropping I found this book both inspirational and insightful. There is no denying Ferguson has been a hugely successful and leading figure, firstly within English football and more widely within…
Manchester Visit
Sitting in an airport for the 3rd time this week I am waiting to catch a flight to Dallas for the annual Pais Movement Leaders gathering #GS2016. Earlier this week Beccy and I took a couple of days off in Manchester. A few weeks ago we won tickets, a hotel stay and travel to…
Lens – life in focus
Recently I have been reading through the book of Job. Whether you subscribe to those who read it as a literal account of an event that took place early in the history of humanity or those who read it as an elaborate parable there are several principles that stand out. The one that really caught…
Gig Review – REEF
REEF emerged when I was in my early teens and ever since have been a fairly regular stereo squatter in my car or on my iPod. Nearly 20 years later a trip to Belfast to catch them at the Limelight did not disappoint. The Limelight is a fairly intimate venue and we were right up…