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What Your Dreams Are Telling You
Cindy McGill with David Sluka

Chosen, Division of Baker Publishing Group
September 2013
ISBN 9780800795658
Nonfiction/Self-Help

Reviewed by Leslie Halpern

 

This publisher’s website states its goal as publishing “well-crafted books that recognize the gifts and ministry of the Holy Spirit and help readers live more empowered and effective lives for Jesus Christ.” It’s important to understand the author’s perspective (i.e., focused on faith rather than science) because this has a direct influence on how she views the source of dreams, ability to interpret them, and their call to action.

McGill agrees with most secular dream interpreters that “dreams are for your good” and “are personal,” but stands firm in her conviction that “God created the portal of dreams,” and “he speaks to you through dreams.” She writes that prayer is often the appropriate response to a dream (such as a warning dream about a tsunami) and examines another dream interpreter’s recommendation that someone “listen to her own thoughts” for interpretation, rather than looking to God for answers. “The end result of his interpretation was that a clear, God-given dream was twisted around by psychobabble.”

Readers willing to approach dream interpretation from this perspective will learn about four main types of dreams as described by the author: warning dreams, direction dreams, self-revealing dreams, and spiritual realm dreams. She devotes chapters to subjects including developing a framework for interpretation, common dream themes, and how to reawaken your dreams. There’s also a chapter reinterpreting dreams of celebrities (taken from dream websites), which proves more entertaining than useful.

Many readers will appreciate the chapter focusing on common dream themes as these dreams have surely plagued us all. McGill examines dreams about teeth falling out, flying or swimming underwater, falling, being chased, naked in public, in the bathroom, losing your purse or wallet, vehicles, running in slow motion, unable to speak or scream, earthquakes or tidal waves, taking a test/going back to school, and snakes/reptiles/alligators. Each common dream theme is presented with her interpretation of the meaning, questions to ask, and suggested actions to take based on the dream.

Back matter includes a brief listing of dream symbols and dream journal sample pages. While not groundbreaking material, this book’s easy readability and emphasis on faith, gifts, and empowerment serves its niche audience well.

 


Reviewer Leslie Halpern is the author of Passionate About Their Work: 151 Celebrities, Artists, and Experts on Creativity, Rub, Scrub, Clean the Tub: Funny Children's Poems About Self-Image, and Shakes, Cakes, Frosted Flakes: Funny Children's Poems About Table Manners.
Reviewed 2014
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