Friday, May 4, 2018

The Complete Guide to Dream Interpretation by Marsha Trimble Dunston

We know that God has used dreams to communicate. We see that in the Bible. But what about today?

Dunston is an engineering professional. When she experienced a dream that coincided with a friend's need, she began to investigate dreams and their meanings. She first looked at the secular material and then studied biblical methods of dream interpretation, such as the principles of allegories and symbols. She has been studying and teaching this information for the last two decades.

I like Dunston's thorough investigation into dreams and their meaning. She shares many of her own dreams and how she interpreted them as well as many dreams others have had. It was good to read how she went through the interpretation process with a variety of dreams. I also like how she explained the difference between dreams and visions. Visions are snapshots of actual happenings, either in the present or the future. Dreams are metaphors, symbols, or analogies and one must look at the symbols to determine their meaning.

An extensive dictionary of general symbols for dreams is included, about two thirds of the book, actually. Dunstan does caution that one must first seek guidance from the Holy Spirit before determining the symbolic meaning of dreams. She mentions the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit several times.

The final take I have on this is that one certainly needs to be cautious when it comes to dreams. Many times Dunston suggests that an example dream “might” indicate or “might” mean a certain idea. And she reminds us that some dreams come from our own soul, such as a result of our own intense feelings. Also, Dunston notes that false dreams may be “implanted by a dark spirit.” We should not trust dreams on their own merit, she writes. “There should always be a confirmation from another source.” (86)

This book is for people who believe that God speaks to them today, through His Word primarily but also occasionally through dreams. You'll get some good teaching and lots of resource material to discern and understand the meaning of dreams.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Marsha Trimble Dunston has been helping others understand their dreams for over 15 years. She now runs a dream interpretation and teaching ministry from her church and provides free teaching and interpretation for people as a ministry of her church and through her website at www.mtdunstan.com. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri.

Chosen, 336 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

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