last updated September 4, 2025

In Fall 2023, l I taught a course for Canadian Mennonite University’s Xplore program on dreams: the dreams we have when we’re asleep and the dreams/aspirations that we have for ourselves when we’re awake. The course explored dreams and our sleep cycle—when do we dream and in what ways might those dreams be significant? What dreams or aspirations do we have for ourselves when we’re awake, and how do we live beyond our broken dreams?

I’m excited that I’ve been asked to teach the course again for Fall 2024 on Tuesdays, October 1 – November 5, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Central /  9:00 a.m.–10 a.m. Pacific. I’m updating the course, including the title and description below that includes a review comment from one of the 2023 participants. I hope you’ll consider registering for the course.

Added September 4, 2025: I’ve been asked to teach the dreams course again, this time as an evening course. If you’re interested, please see the course description and registration form.

Dreams and Dreaming—in Scripture and in Our Lives Today

In Scripture, God promises to pour out the Spirit: “Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17, cf. Joel 2:28). What might this mean for our dreaming today? What dreams do we have? How do we live wisely and well beyond our broken dreams?

This course will explore dreams and dreaming in Scripture, good dreams/bad dreams/broken dreams/God-given dreams, letting go of a dream, making room for a new one, learning to dream again, and living it out. Each session will include time for teaching, reflection, sharing, and discussion.

This course was first offered in Fall 2023 and will be updated for Fall 2024. “Thank you for a terrific class,” wrote one participant. “It gave me a new appreciation for visions and dreams addressed in Scripture and also a broader understanding of my dreams. I especially found the class on the topic of when dreams are not realized helpful. Thank you for sending a summary of each class. I plan to review the notes again as there is much to reflect on.”

April Yamasaki is a pastor, author, editor, and spiritual formation mentor. She currently serves as resident author with a liturgical worship community, edits a daily devotional magazine, has taken on a new role as a spiritual formation mentor, writes online and in print, and is a frequent guest speaker for churches and in other settings. Her published books include Four Gifts; Sacred Pauses; and This Ordinary, Extraordinary Life. In these and other ways, she is living her childhood dream of being a writer. At the same time, with the sudden death of her husband two years ago and in other circumstances of life, she is well acquainted with delayed, disappointing, and broken dreams.

Writing/Reflection Prompt: What dreams do you have when you’re asleep? What dreams/aspirations do you have when you’re awake?