My 70th birthday was filled with family, joy, and the deep presence of God. But in the quiet moments before and after the celebration, I wrestled honestly with fear, faith, and the road ahead. One week before surgery, I want to share what’s in my heart—and the peace I’ve found in God’s presence.

This past weekend, our family gathered from Southern, Mid-West and Mid-Atlantic States at our home in Michigan to celebrate my 70th birthday. My mother and sisters, our children and grandsons, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and a niece and nephew came in from out of state. Our oldest son’s flight was canceled three times, so he couldn’t join us. However, his wife and sons were able to be there. We are richly blessed with a family rooted in faith and love for Christ and His Church.

It was a weekend overflowing with love, laughter, stories, and good food. Here is a brief summary.

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Greenfield Village and Grandson Joy

On Saturday, we spent the day at Greenfield Village, one of Michigan’s unique living history museums. Seeing my family enjoy it as much as we have over the years brought me so much joy.

Our four-year-old grandson, Bear, couldn’t get enough of the carousel. As he circled past me, holding tightly to his horse, he shouted “Hi Papa!” every single time. I was holding baby Asher, smiling widely. Later, Rebekah told me Bear had said, “I made Papa smile.” Yes, you did, buddy.

We also watched an old-fashioned 1890s-style baseball game and soaked in the joy of being together.

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Sunday Worship and a Sacred Moment

Sunday morning, I woke up as a 70-year-old man. Our Woodland Church family outdid themselves in celebrating with us. Pastor Rick and Norma Sutherland joined us, and Pastor Corey led us in communion. Bear sat beside me. He’s usually in children’s ministry at his home church, so this was new for him.

As I prayed, kissed the bread, and ate it, Bear asked, “Papa, why are you eating that?”
I answered quietly.
Then came the juice.
“That smells good—can I have some?”
“When you’re older and understand,” I said.
“What’s it for?”
Another quiet explanation.

It was a holy, tender moment—one I’ll never forget.

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Love, Blessings, and a Powerful Prayer

The service included video greetings, heartfelt blessings, and beautiful moments honoring Rebekah, our family, and even my mother, who received a bouquet of flowers.

My brother-in-law read a paraphrased version of 2 Chronicles 20 with my name included. It was powerful. One of our members told me, “I’m praying that in my own life now.” I will attach it to the end of this post.

We also had the joy of hearing our son Chris and his wife, Rachel share about their call to serve as missionaries. Their love for the Lord, their humility, and their giftedness will bless many.

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A Short Message from a Big Scripture

I preached the shortest message of my 26 years at Woodland Church, from Colossians 1:18:

“Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body… So he is first in everything.” (NLT)

I shared Pastor Rick Warren’s acronym for FIRST:

• F – Finances
• I – Interests
• R – Relationships
• S – Schedule
• T – Troubles

We focused on what it means to keep Christ first in every area of life—from Creation to Resurrection.

At the close, several people committed their lives to Christ. I thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit.

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Quiet Reflection and Renewed Resolve

Saturday, for a few moments, I was alone at Greenfield Village. I sat near the same spot where, 26 years ago, we attended our first Fourth of July concert with a family who have remained good friends. Our children were young. We were all young. I reflected on baptisms, baby dedications, weddings, funerals, missions trips, leaders raised up, churches planted—on all the ways God has been faithful.

There, something stirred within me: a new sense of drive. A holy hatred for the cancer. A deeper desire to seek the Lord for healing, strength, and the next chapter.

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Wrestling and Remembering

This week, I’ve prayed through some painful questions.
Do I want this surgery? No.
Do I want cancer? No.
Do I welcome the limitations it may bring? Not one bit.

As a child and teen, I lived with restrictions and illness. I didn’t understand how blessed I was. I carried anger, resentment, and envy—burdens I never fully unpacked. But these memories have resurfaced lately, and by God’s grace, I’ve been able to surrender each one. God has reminded me:

“I brought you through then. I will bring you through now.”

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Never Alone

Through it all, I’ve loved God—and longed to know Him deeply. I love my wife, children, and grandsons with all my heart. I love our church family and our Downriver community. Your prayers and kindness have overwhelmed me.

Yet, part of this journey I must walk alone—with God.

When I was a teenager, my pastor Cortez Frazier preached about those moments in life when only God can walk with you. Today, as I prayed, I remembered the gospel song:

“No, never alone. No, never alone.
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.”

And as I write this, one week before surgery, I am at peace.

I still want a miracle. But whether through healing or hardship, I want Jesus even more. Until I hear otherwise, I will keep asking, seeking, and knocking.

Thank you for your love. Thank you for walking with us.
I hope this hasn’t been too raw—but it’s what’s in my heart.

Peace!

2 Chronicles 20

Translated & paraphrased by Phillip Lee

Dennis Clanton Defeats the Enemy

1 After the Lord continued to bless Dennis Clanton with a Godly wife, lovely children grandchildren, a life of unexplained health, and incredible ministry to his Lord, cancer came to wage war against Dennis.

2 Some doctors told Dennis, “A deadly cancer has taken root in your body. It is already in your colon and could spread to other parts of your body.” 3 Angered at Satan, Dennis resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a time of prayer for his church, family, and friends. 4 They all went to prayer to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from all over the world to seek him.

5 Then Dennis stood up in the assembly of his church, family and friends at the temple of the Lord 6 and said:

“Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and nothing can withstand you. 7 Our God, did you not save my life as an infant? Did you not heal me so that I could run and walk? Did you not allow me to travel the earth preaching your Word. And when Satan meant to stop my ministry in India, did you not bring me through and keep me alive? Have you not promised me health, long life and fruitful ministry just as you promised your people Israel and give it forever to the spiritual descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 I have lived this life you gave me and have built a ministry for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon me, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, I will stand in your presence before this people that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear me and save me.’

10 “And now, after taking care of the Temple of the Holy Spirit that you have given me, 11 see how Satan is repaying me by coming to take my health and life – the possession you gave me as an inheritance in Christ. 12 Our God, will you not act? For I have no power to face the disease that is attacking me. I do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you.”

13 All of Dennis’s church, family, and friends, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.

14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on one of God’s ministers.

15 He said: “Listen, Dennis Clanton and all who know and love him! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this disease. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march up against it. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Dennis. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face it tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

18 Dennis bowed down with his face to the ground, and all of his people fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then Dennis and all who are with him stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

20 Every morning, Dennis started his days with expectation to see God’s deliverance. Each morning he said to himself, “Listen here! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After talking with all his people, Dennis asked his family and friends to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his] holiness as they went out, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord,

    for his love endures forever.”

22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord caused Dennis’ body to be healed. 23 His body sought out the cancer to destroy and annihilate it. After God set his body to healing, the cancer turned onto itself and finished destroying itself. And the doctors confirmed that the cancer was destroyed.

24 When his church, family and friends came to see Dennis, they looked toward the vast enemy, they only saw a healthy Dennis Clanton; no cancer remained. 25 So Dennis continued to live in a health that was beyond explanation—more than anyone could have imagined. There was so much health that it took years to preach about it. 26 Then they assembled in the temple of the Lord, where they praised the Lord. 

27 Then, led by Dennis, all his people returned joyfully to their homes, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They returned home and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.

29 The fear of God came on all those that heard how the Lord had fought against the enemy. 30 And Dennis and his family were at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

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