Today we’re talking about trading noise and confusion for a living conversation with God. My guest, Cathy Garland, shares why thoughtful deconstruction matters, how to discern cultural messages, and why she returned to the Old Testament to meet a God who reveals Himself. We talk absolute surrender, silence, and the simple daily rhythms that helped her hear God’s voice again. If you’ve felt unplugged, this episode is a gentle on-ramp back to presence, Scripture, and a faith that can stand questions.
Episode 90: Not Hearing God? Deconstruction, Discernment & Surrender (with Cathy Garland)
Raised at the intersection of scholarship and revival, Cathy Garland hit deconstruction at thirteen—and her pastor-dad walked with her through honest questions until the Bible’s God became personal again. Cathy explains “learn to discern” - filtering media messages at the assumption level - then takes us into the Old Testament to watch God reveal Himself in story after story. She describes discovering Andrew Murray’s Absolute Surrender, the moment she felt like a “lamp not plugged in,” and how surrender, silence, and Scripture turned up God’s voice. We talk church hurt, rebuilding trust, practical listening prayer, and why discipline creates space for presence in a busy home. If you’re craving a shame-free path back to hearing God, this conversation offers language, practices, and hope.
And as always, we start off the episode with what is bringing us joy and we know you will be so encouraged by this conversation. Listen free on Apple or Spotify, and join us on Patreon for an extended version of this episode as well as exclusive content!
Ways you can connect with Cathy Garland:
Follow Cathy on Instagram
Cathy’s website
Her book Revelationship
Her new devotional Known
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Halfway to Sunday is a weekly conversation on life and faith with your friends. We are so glad you’re here!
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SHOW NOTES
Psalms (joy; language for emotions).
Genesis 1–2 (God revealing Himself in creation).
Genesis 16 (Hagar/El Roi—“the God who sees me”).
Genesis 28:12–13 (Jacob’s ladder; the Lord above it).
Exodus 3 (burning bush; take off your shoes—holy ground).
Isaiah 54 (the rejected woman; God’s covenant love).
Romans 1:20 (creation reveals God—people are without excuse)
Community Bible Study (CBS)—Psalms.
Andrew Murray, Absolute Surrender (influence on Cathy’s surrender practice).
“Learn to Discern” resource (title referenced as a tool parents can use).
Bible Resources:
The Journaling Bible I use | Bible Highlighters | Annotating Tabs | **affiliate links
Other Episodes That May Be Helpful:
Episode #75 You’ve Heard it Said…But What Does Jesus Say? w/ Thomas West
Episode #74 Proximity Over Performance w/ Terence Lester
Episode #72 Bearing Witness to Brave Faith w/ Kurt Ver Beek
Episode #59 Loyal in His Love: How Jesus Heals What People Break w/ Tabitha Panariso
Episode #53 Faith Isn’t Fragile w/ Erin Moon
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