Life is too hard for religion

Dear Friend of All the King’s Horses Ministry, 

The surgery performed on Bryson’s left eye on 1/19/19 was successful! Praise God, he is now seeing better out of that eye! However, please keep praying the blurriness in that eye will clear up  in the ensuring months, as the surgeon anticipates should happen. I am reminded that Jesus also healed a blind man in two stages: 

“… after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked  up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.” Mark 8:23-25 

As most of you know, Bryson’s battle against blindness began soon after my book about his brain-injured life was published. “All the King’s Horses – Finding Purpose and Hope in Brokenness and Impossibility” chronicles 30 years of battling impossibility after impossibility in Bryson’s life. God is continuing to use this book to draw unbelievers to Himself, even as He uses it to empower countless downcast believers to stand firm in their faith in the midst of their own “impossibilities.” Ordering an extra copy would be a very good help to this Ministry at this time, and a very good help to someone you know who is gasping for hope. The Book very powerfully lifts the eyes of the reader to see who Jesus Christ truly is. You can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1985722151

With the impact that the book and this Ministry is having, it stands to reason that Hell has risen up against both Bryson and me. As most of you know, Bryson became blind in his left eye in the summer of 2015 (immediately after the release of the Book). His sight was restored through a cornea transplant that same year. That transplant began to fail badly this past year, precipitating last month’s surgery. 

As most of you also know, the sight in Bryson’s right eye is now imperiled by the same insidious disease (Kerataconus) that blinded him in the left. Surgery is currently planned for May of this year to protect the right eye against the gradual scarring and blindness that this insidious disease ultimately causes if left untreated. 

As reported last month, Bryson tore two tendons in his left wrist in a falling accident. Just two weeks ago (the week after his eye surgery) he was custom-fitted for a brace on his left wrist. Please pray that his recovery from this painful injury will occur quickly. 

As you may also know, my body has also been buffeted this past year. I am now five months into a twelve month recovery from the massive surgery on my left shoulder (bones re-positioned/cadaver parts transplanted in to replace destroyed tendons). I’ve made a lot of progress, but it is a severe battle as I attempt to keep pressing ahead at this time. Three weeks ago my back went out (bulging disc – first vertebrae), and I had to suspend physical therapy of my shoulder (it is now a struggle just putting on shoes and socks). 

What joy comes to my mind as I consider what the Lord is REALLY up to in our lives, even as He allows these latest trials that have vexed both Bryson and me: 

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

What would any of us be willing to pay for such eternal gains in our lives, including the “gain” of being perfect and complete, lacking in nothing? What would it cost to have God’s love flowing through our hearts in greater measure toward a world that is so parched … desperate for His love? What an awesome Savior! God wastes nothing, but uses it all for our good and His glory! This, in large part, is the message of freedom that my small but powerful Ministry is getting across to so many hurting people.

Indeed, life is simply too hard for religion which spouts pious platitudes and humanistic precepts. People need nothing more than Jesus, and nothing less than Jesus who said: 

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 

I am so very grateful to all of you who are partnering with All the King’s Ministry, particularly at this time. Those of you who have elected to become regular monthly partners are such an amazing blessing! We remain “in the red” from Bryson’s recent surgery, which is largely uncovered by insurance. The same lack of insurance will be true of the surgery he is facing in May. 

Nonetheless, I intend to press ahead with great passion in this Ministry the Lord has entrusted to me, both in ministering to my struggling son, and to the countless others touched through our various ministries of public speaking, writing, counseling and discipling, and revealing Jesus Christ for who He really is to all we can in this dark world.  

Your brother in the battle for Christ, 

Barry Milazzo 

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24