Dreams vs Visions

I have been struggling with this the last couple of weeks. Rick and I have talked about it. Think it is time to write my  thoughts ...

According to dictionary.com - a dream is ...
...a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing thru the mind during sleep.
...to think or conceive of something in a very remote way.
...to fancy.
...most desirable; ideal.
...to form in the imagination; devise.
...a sequence of imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake.
...a cherished hope, ambition, aspiration.
...a vain hope.
...be unrealistic. Too good to be true.

The Bible has a lot  of examples of dreams ...
Genesis 20:3, 6 - ..."God came to Abimelech in a dream one night ..."
Genesis 28:12 - ..."He had a dream in which he saw a stairway ..."
Genesis 31:10-24 ... Jacob's dreams
Genesis 37:5-10 ... Again, Jacob's dreams
Genesis 40 ... Jacob interpreting dreams
Genesis 41 ... Again, Jacob interpreting dreams.
Judges 7 ... Gideon's dreams.
I Kings 3:15 ... Solomon dreams.
Psalm 73:20 ..."As  a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies."
Eccl. 5:3  ..."As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words."
Isaiah 56:10 ..."Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they  lie around and dream, they love to sleep."
Jeremiah 23:25-28 ..."I have heard what the  prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a  dream!' ..."
Daniel 2, 4,  7 ... Daniel's dreams and interpretations.
Joel 2:28 ..."And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."
Matthew 1, 2 ... The story of Joseph and Mary with the baby Jesus.

According to dictionary.com - a vision is ...
...the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be.
...perception, discernment.
...stated aims and objectives.
...knowledge.
...to see, to know.

And the Bible has a lot of examples of visions, too ...
Genesis 15:1 ... "After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,  your very great reward.' "

Genesis 46:2 ... "And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, 'Jacob! Jacob!' 'Here I am,' he replied."
Numbers 24:4, 16
I Samuel 3 ... "The child Samuel's vision.
Isaiah 1, 21, 22,  9 ... Isaiah's visions concerning Israel.
Ezekiel 7, 8, 11, 12, 43 ... Ezekiel's visions concerning Israel.
Daniel 2, 7, 8,  9, 10, 11 ... Daniel's visions concerning Israel.
Obadiah 1 ... Micah 1 ... Nahum 1 ... Zechariah 1, 13 ...
Luke 1:22 ... The father of John the Baptist has a vision.
Luke 24:23 ... "...but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive."
Acts 9 ... Ananias' vision.
Acts 10 ... Peter's vision.
Acts 12 ... Peter
Acts 16, 18 ... Paul's vision.
Acts 26:19 ..."So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." 
Revelation ... the vision of St. John.

So, in all of this - what has  become my thoughts and conclusions about dreams vs. visions?
That God can and does use both!

Also, that dreams are not always based in reality, but visions are more so.

Example ... I need to lose about 75 pounds, and it will only happen by good diet and exercise. Now, if I work hard and lose this weight and get in shape - am I going to look like a super  model? Will I be like I was at 18 - or better? That would be a dream! But the vision is that I will be a better 50 year old woman!

A dream is something to indulge in occasionally. Not something to put a lot of hope and faith into.
A vision is something that is reachable, doable. Something to put hope and faith,
energy, time and money into. Does that mean  that the vision is ALWAYS
attainable? No. Sometimes, life just happens! And  then, sometimes, visions
change as we go along.

So,
  to myself - dream the dreams. But LIVE the vision!!!