Category Archives: Rob Des Cotes

Discovering My True Self

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I know I shouldn’t compare myself with others. There’ll always be someone who is kinder, wiser, and taller than I am. But it’s not so easy to let go of comparisons when it seems like I’m the only one in … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged Birds on a Wire, Esther Hizsa, false self, Immortal Diamond: The Search for the True Self, John O'Donahue, Julie Falk, Mayor Corrigan, Measuring Up, Richard Rohr, Rob Des Cotes, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tony Robbins, true self, woodleywonderworks | Leave a comment

I Love You More than Anything

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I love You more than anything. And when I am in my right mind I know this to be true But You know it all the time. —Rob Des Cotes If actions speak louder than words, mine wouldn’t say I … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Prayer, Reflections, Rob Des Cotes, Spiritual Direction | Tagged 1 John 4:19, Elya Bergen, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spirituality, Ignatius of Loyola, Imago Dei Communities, Jesus with the children, John20:19-22, Michael O'Brien, Principle and Foundation, Rob Des Cotes, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Spiritual Exercises | Leave a comment

Immersed in an Ocean of Love

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Here’s one of my favourite posts, originally published January 17, 2014. I hope you enjoy it. I awake at 4 a.m. with an emotional heaviness and remember what caused this feeling. I got hoodwinked by fear in a legitimate disguise: I … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged Donna Geissler, Esther Hizsa, fear, God's love, Imago Dei Communities, immersed in God's love, leaky bucket, ocean of love, Psalm 139:18, Rob Des Cotes, Sandy Beach, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wave Coast, weakness, Wonderlane | 6 Comments

Goodbye, Rob

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

On April 6 friend and mentor Rob Des Cotes passed into glory. Rob was a pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader as well as a husband, father, and grandfather, musician, writer and artist. Hearing God’s call to go deeper in contemplative … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged Chris Niekel, Donna Geissler, fear, God's love, Imago Dei Communities, immersed in God's love, leaky bucket, ocean of love, Psalm 139:18, Rob Des Cotes, Sandy Beach, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waves, weakness | 1 Comment

Moving from “Me” to “We”

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

If I were Jesus riding into Jerusalem, I would have been pretty agitated. Imagine entering the city where you’re about to be betrayed, abandoned, beaten, and killed. How could Jesus remain present to the crowds of joyous people shouting, “Hosanna!”? Before the week is through, … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Helpful Images, Holy Week, Lent, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged Brian Whelan, Isaiah 41:13-14, Jesus enters Jerusalem, Luke 19:28-42, Palm Frond, Palm Sunday, Rob Des Cotes, Samuel John, Soul Care Retreat, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 6 Comments

Moving from “Me” to “We”

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Posted in Helpful Images, Holy Week, Lent, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged Brian Whelan, Isaiah 41:13-14, Jesus enters Jerusalem, Luke 19:28-42, Palm Sunday, Rob Des Cotes, Soul Care Retreat | 2 Comments

Are You Withering on the Vine?

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

“Are you suffering from spiritual depletion?” Rob Des Cotes asked participants at the Soul Care retreat we hosted at our church. To help us answer that question, Rob led us though this diagnostic list. Are you experiencing any of the following? __ … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged Acedia, Annie S. Hawkes, I Need Thee Every Hour, Imago Dei Communities, Jaison Cianelli, John 15:5, John 15:9, Rob Des Cotes, Robert Lowry, Soul Care, spiritual depletion, Tree of Life | Leave a comment

Lucky Bums

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

“Lucky bums!” That’s how theologian Karl Barth described the poor in spirit who inherit God’s kingdom. Ever since someone mentioned that in our contemplative group, we have the urge to call each other “lucky bums.” It reminds us that we … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged Belonging to Life, Celtic Daily Prayer, communion, contemplative, David Naman, embracing weakness, God's love, healing weakness, Imago Dei Communities, Karl Barth, Laughter, Lord's Supper, lucky bums, Luke 15, Matthew 5:3, Psalm 84, Rob Des Cotes | 5 Comments

Immersed in an Ocean of Love

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I awake with an emotional heaviness at 4 a.m. and remember what caused this feeling. I got hoodwinked by fear in a legitimate disguise: I saw an injustice and pushed the panic button–again. I ended up making a fuss over nothing … Continue reading →

A Mysterious Place of Meeting

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Esther Hizsa

I spent three days on Bowen Island walking, praying, and watching the seagulls. I noticed that when one or two birds landed on the calm sea others followed. God seemed to be telling me that as I rest in him, others … Continue reading →