Rev. Dave: From Wensleydale

Like it or not, we all face the same kinds of temptation; so: Where does it come from? How do we deal with it? Rev Dave takes a fresh look at the auto-biographical account of Jesus in the wilderness and unwraps some life changing truths. Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 3:1-7 This recording was made at the 10:30 Communion service at St Oswald's Church, Askrigg on February 22nd, 2026 Find out more about...

"We all need Affirming!" - Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. Our greatest affirmation comes from the Lord God Almighty. Spending time with God changes us - Spending time away from God changes us. Rev Dave reflects on the 'Transfiguration' of Jesus , the personal affirmation Jesus received from His Heavenly Father when He sought after His will and why we all need to find space...

Stephanie Durrant of the Benefice Shared Leadership Team speaks on our theme for the year ahead - 'God Equips in 2026' This recording was made at the Benefice 10:30am Communion service 'The Gathering' in St Oswald's Church, Askrigg on Sunday February 1st, 2026 Find out more about us: ⁠⁠⁠http://upperwensleydalechurch.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/upperwensleydalechurch⁠⁠⁠...

“The greatest single service one person can do for another is to point them towards Jesus” Archbishop William Temple (1881-1944) What are you like at giving directions? How might our lives be 'read' by others as a signpost to Jesus? Rev Dave reflects upon how this might be done - what we say, do, walk away from, engage with .. John 1:29-42, Psalm 40:9-10, Isaiah 49:1-7 This recording was m...

Reading the 'Signs' How good are you at 'reading the signs' of a moment in your life? Are you able to respond? The Baptism of Jesus has caused Christian thinkers challenge across the millennia - Why did He seek John out and ask for it? Rev Dave explores the theme of Obedience - responding to God's call and developing our ability to hear and respond when we get a 'Heavenly N...

Where have You come from? Where are You going? Two great questions to ask of ourselves as we stand on the edge of a New Year. They are also two questions asked of Sarai's maidservant Hagar by the Angel of the Lord. Hagar has become pregnant by Abram, Sarai's husband, and has run away to avoid domestic abuse. What might the New Year bring? How might we navigate it successfully? This recordi...

Doubts. We all have them. What does the Bible tell us about how to deal with them? Rev Dave reflects on the doubts of John the Baptist and a 4 step strategy to apply when we're faced with our own. Matthew 11: 2-11 This recording was made at St Mary and St John's church in Hardraw on Sunday December 14th, 2025. The service began with listening to a recording of Godfrey Birtill's song &#...

Advent Sunday As we begin our journey towards the celebrations of Christmas, what is Advent all about? How should we use it? Rev Dave reflects on what it means to prepare our hearts and our lives for Jesus through the words of the prophet Isaiah. History is heading somewhere. Jesus is coming back ... Are we ready? Isaiah 40:1-5 This recording was taken in St Matthew's Church, Stalling Busk at...

'Christ the King' or 'Stir Up Sunday' Rev Dave teaches on some fundamental Christian truths: 'Whose Kingdom are you in? Can anyone tell?' Jesus and Paul both taught that there are 2 opposing kingdoms at play in the world and we all belong to one of them. One is light and one is dark. One is good and one is evil. We are physically born by default into one of them but we do n...

Remembrance Sunday Nelson Mandela: “No one is born hating another person because of their colour, their background or their religion; that behaviour is learnt" If we can be taught to hate then we can be taught to Love. Jesus shows us an alternative way to live - do we have the courage and strength to do so? Ephesians 4:25-5:2, Matthew 5:1-12 This recording was made at St Margaret's Church...

'It's not what you do that determines who you are but who you are that determines what you do ' On ' All Saints Sunday' Rev Dave reflects on the subject of Christian identity. Christ did not die so that we could 'shuffle' our way through life .. Fight back - claim God's word over your life and live in Freedom! Ephesians 1: 1-3, 13-23This recording was made at 'T...

Bible Sunday: Rev Dave reflects on why the worshipers in the synagogue wanted to throw Jesus off a cliff - Know the answer. Luke 4: 16-30 Never has it been easier to access the word of God - Why then do so many know so little? This recording was made at the 10:30 Communion service in St Oswald's Church, Askrigg. Sunday October 26th, 2025 Find out more about us: ⁠⁠⁠http://upperwensleydalechurch...

Rev Dave reflects on the account of Naaman's healing in the Old Testament - Who enabled it to happen? - How might pride prevent us from receiving God's blessing? - How do we begin to respond to God's call? - What now? 2Kings 5:1-15 This recording was made at the 10:30 Communion service in St Margaret's Church, Hawes. Sunday October 12th, 2025 Find out more about us: ⁠⁠⁠http://upper...

Rev Dave ends the series on Generosity with God's invitation to step into an adventure of Faith - What does the Bible have to say about our financial giving? - God is a God of Possibility and Miraculous Multiplication. Luke 9:10-17, 2Kings 4:1-7 This recording was made at 'The Gathering' - our Benefice Communion service for all the family in St Oswald's Church in Askrigg, Sunday Oc...

Rev Dave reflects on the season of Harvest - an opportunity to recalibrate our thinking - to become a people notorious for our thankfulness Psalm 104 and Matthew 6:25-34 This recording was made at the Harvest Celebration in Melmerby Methodist Chapel, Coverdale - September 2025 Find out more about us: ⁠⁠⁠http://upperwensleydalechurch.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/upperwensleydalechurch⁠⁠⁠ Upp...

Rev Dave reflects on the parable of the 'Shrewd Manager'. and asks 'What is Jesus saying?' - Often seen as a hard parable to understand, is Jesus really encouraging us to be dishonest with our money and worldly possessions? Luke 16:1-13 This recording was made at the 9:00 Communion service in St Mary and St John's Church, Hardraw on September 21st, 2025 Find out more about us:...

The Bible teaches that spiritually we are one of these two states. Which are you? Rev Dave reflects on two parables told by Jesus to illustrate this - the parable of the 'Lost Sheep' and the parable of the 'Lost Coin' - We are all of immense value to God and His desire is that all would be found. Luke 15:1-10 This recording was made at the 10:30 Communion service in St Margaret&#39...

Rt Rev Dr Tom Wright, one of our most prolific living British theologians and teachers said: ‘The Kingdom Jesus preached and lived was all about a glorious, uproarious, absurd generosity!’ Rev Dave reflects on the wonderful 'Generosity of God' - How should we respond to it? Psalm 103, Luke 11, Psalm 81: 'Open Wide Your Mouth' ... and many more references. This recording was made at...

'Beside the Lake' is the title given to our annual outdoor service of thanksgiving held on the shore of Semerwater in Raydale with Hawes Silver Band. The theme was 'Resting in God' Psalm 103 & Matthew 11:28-30 The audio may not be quite as clear as usual due to it being recorded outside - 85 adults, 8 children, 4 dogs and many more holiday makers joining in over the fence! Apol...

'Beside the Lake' is the title given to our annual outdoor service of thanksgiving held on the shore of Semerwater in Raydale with Hawes Silver Band. The theme was 'Resting in God' Psalm 103 & Matthew 11:28-30 The audio may not be quite as clear as usual due to it being recorded outside - 85 adults, 8 children, 4 dogs and many more holiday makers joining in over the fence! Apol...

Billy Graham said that Psalm 121 "is like wrapping yourself in a divine blanket of peace and strength – it gently reminds us that no matter lies ahead, God is watching over us." Rev Dave reflects on the verses that remind us of God's unshakeable covenant and how we can truly find peace and rest in a busy, noisy world. This recording was made at the 10:30 Communion service in St Marga...

The 'Jesus Formula' - Luke 11:1-4 Rev Dave reflects on how to pray the words known as 'The Lord's Prayer' - What they're about - How to use them - Have a go! This recording was made at the 10:30 Communion service in St Oswald's, Askrigg on July 27th, 2025 Find out more about us: ⁠⁠⁠http://upperwensleydalechurch.org/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/upperwensleydalechurch⁠...

Mary chose to take a break from her chores and spend time with Jesus - Paul tells us why this is so important. Jesus is enough. The world tries to add and subtract from Jesus' teaching; it's important that we don't . Jesus + Nothing = Everything! Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-end This recording was made at the 9am Communion service in St Mary & St John's Church, Hardraw. Find...

Amos was an ordinary bloke going about his ordinary business until God asks him a very important question: "What do you see?" It's a question for the Church today - are we seeing the world, our nation, our communities, our relationships, our lives the same as how God sees them? Whose standards are we following? What are we going to do? This recording was taken at the 10:30 Communion...

"Sorry Love ... I didn't recognise ya!" Part 3 of Rev Dave's reflection on Psalm 1 - Will your choices stand the test of time? How do you respond to the Biggest Choice of all? This recording was taken at the traditional Gayle Chapel 'Camp Meeting' in Upper Wensleydale with Hawes Silver Band - Sunday July 6th, 2025 Part 3 of 3 ... Dah Da! Well done! Find out more about us:...