Comments for Imago Dei Christian Community

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Gary Cameron

Gary Cameron — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 12:25:48 +0000

Has it been 5years, my friend, now fully in Christ …no longer an unfinished drawing by Rembrandt? Today in 2021, I thank you, and our Lord, that we met that summer in 2001 during our “Watercolors in the Psalms” class at Regent. That was 20 years ago. I still have one of the watercolors of mature trees hanging in my studio, but much greater is the living seed-plant-tree-forest that you nurtured in us until you were called home. Our family now carries that incarnate seed. Our encounter was life changing for Marlene and me when we were, step by step, drawn in like a conversion while experiencing with you the “Practice of Prayer” sessions in the special home by the waters in North Van. It continues. Today we are Imago Dei Redland Community still participating in that unfinished drawing. Ask our Lord, if you would, to “fan the flame” to see a mighty flourishing of this gift into the next generation. We are asking this everyday.

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Barbara Hood Phillips

Barbara Hood Phillips — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 01:43:35 +0000

Many moons ago when I lived in the Lower mainland Rob invited me into the Imago Dei group. I was an impetuous poet feeling the isolation of an artist working alone. Rob brought me into a wondrous landscape of fellow artists and would help shape and bleed my material into the larger family of Christ. I loved the gentle contemplative spirit that guided Rob and effected those who knew him. To be still and know was the guiding influence he gave me when I felt the storms of life upon me. I thank God for his wisdom, ways, and generosity. May grace be with his family.

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Carlene

Carlene — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 14:29:04 +0000

Rob was a spiritual director for our church group the past few years and I attended several of his enriching workshops during his last years lived here on earth. My condolences to his family and community in this time of loss. He was a remarkable man and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from him. The way he taught his retreats spoke to my soul in a quiet and powerful way…I often sensed that he was ‘steeped’ in Jesus as he shared with us and his teachings greatly impacted my walk with God. He had a gift for capturing the essence of our relationship with Jesus and how to live this out in our daily lives. I was also struck by the way he generously gave of himself, as he could, when his health was declining…he embodied his teachings through this incredible challenge and seemed to press into the Lord in the face of loss. Thank you Rob for blessing us in the way you lived your life and shared it with others. You are greatly missed and my heart goes out to your family.

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Bay Wan Jee

Bay Wan Jee — Thu, 05 May 2016 09:13:28 +0000

This tribute was written for Rob before his home-going.

Dear Pastor Rob,

Thank you for the opportunity to listen to you teach, sing, and expound during The Heart’s Journey – spiritual formation retreat on March 12-14, 2015. You made time for us Singaporeans and travelled all the way here to engage with us. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn with you.

Personally, you taught me the unrushed and quiet disposition of a child of God, resting in Him.
Rest in God alone, Rest in God alone, My soul, O my soul.

As I write this, I have been thinking of your situation using the preferred diagram you drew to teach us how to pray, and ask ourselves how God sees a given situation. I believe you and God are very close. For all that you are facing, you have been in touch with God. Together you two are looking at the situation. May you rest in Him now in His stillness, doing everything with God, allowing Him to fill your thought life and desires. In quietness and strength, He is your strength.

Thank you Rob for many wise words and your presence at many retreats. I have learnt much from your life with contemplative prayer, from your posture of allowing space for God to take initiative. May you abide in His presence as you battle with bodily symptoms. Thank you for caring for your spiritual life for the sake of others, for the sake of the Kingdom in your generation.

The most important thing you can do for others, as you said is to guard your heart, bring grace, peace, guard it from turmoil, fear, dissipation.

Thank you Rob, for a life humbly lived, so well and full!

Praying for the Lord’s strength and presence to gird you with peace,
Bay Wan Jee, from Singapore ID

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Bay Wan Jee, Imago Dei Singapore/Retreat Participant March 2015

Bay Wan Jee, Imago Dei Singapore/Retreat Participant March 2015 — Thu, 05 May 2016 09:12:36 +0000

This tribute was written for Rob before his home-going.

Dear Pastor Rob,

Personally, you taught me the unrushed and quiet disposition of a child of God, resting in Him.
Rest in God alone, Rest in God alone, My soul, O my soul.

The most important thing you can do for others, as you said is to guard your heart, bring grace, peace, guard it from turmoil, fear, dissipation.

Thank you Rob, for a life humbly lived, so well and full!

Praying for the Lord’s strength and presence to gird you with peace,
Bay Wan Jee

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Mui Fong Lai

Mui Fong Lai — Sat, 30 Apr 2016 04:05:06 +0000

This tribute was written and read to Rob before he passed on to glory …

Dearest Spiritual Director Rob,
You are an amazing brother and Spiritual Director to me and to many! The 1st year of Spiritual Direction with you in Vancouver in 2003 was so life-giving and free-ing for me, that I realized what it meant to be truly free in Jesus name! You directed my spirit and soul to the Lord so gently that I left wanting more of whatever you offered and therefore I wanted to follow in your footsteps so that others can be offered the same freedom and direction to follow Jesus. Thank you for entrusting Imago Dei Singapore to me and giving yourself and all the resources we needed so generously. You show me what it truly means to be like Jesus and live like Jesus. You are magnanimous, redemptive, rich and real kind of human, hard to describe but you show me what our Heavenly Father intended us to be. So Thank you, Xie Xie, Obrigada, Terima Kasih, Arigato, Kumsahamida Jesus for Rob Des Cotes!

Love, Muifong from Singapore ID

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Jenny Wright

Jenny Wright — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 16:44:40 +0000

My thoughts are with Ruth, Rachel, Michael & Luke.
This is my own mini tribute to Rob
My songs and puppets and stories are still here with me, but a little piece has gone with Rob when he passed on . Rob was many things to people and wore many hats.. A father, husband, chaplain, multi instrumentalist, visual artist were only a few of his gifts.
We met when I became a childrens performer and needed a back up accompanyist. For several years Rob played keyboard ,guitar, flute. He wrote lyrics, produced my cds and was often the roadie.
Our gigs took us north to Haida Gwai, Terrace, Smithers Prince George. South to Seattle, East to Canmore, Vernon, Trail and Nelson & West to Lilloet and Whistler.

Long car rides provided much entertainment, upbeat debates and laughter. Rob had a unique sense of humour. He tweaked lyrics and helped develop the personality of each puppet! The most important being the 3rd member of the band. “Rockysaurus” our life size dinosaur..
An added bonus: our children grew up with us on the stage. Sometimes they were guinea pigs for new songs, or they came up on the stage to dance to the famed “Dinosaur Dip”
What made performing such pure joy was Rob’s calm and gentle disposition, his creativity, and the genuine warm paternal rapport with the thousands of kids we entertained. There were sometimes concerts where nothing went as planned, but we were pros , had unspoken signs to the mask the glitches! Sometimes I did not dare to look over at him, for fear of a giggle outburst in the middle of the concert.

As I can tell by the many comments Rob touched many. We will all miss him terribly.. May your songs, music, books continue to be a legacy.
May Rob’s memory be a blessing to all who know him,

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Ted Goshulak

Ted Goshulak — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 17:25:17 +0000

I still remember coming to my first Imago Dei meeting at what is now Kingfisher Farm (first site of A Rocha Canada). It was a special time of just sitting and being. After a few meetings I asked Rob if I could bring my guitar and sort of play in the background. I had played poor guitar in the past but not for many years. “Certainly,” he said. So, for 7 years I played backup to Rob. He musical skills far outweighed mine but all he asked was that I was in tune. And then on the occasion that I would strike a wrong chord … there was a quick furtive glance. Not condemning, just making sure all was well. I will miss playing with him … but perhaps when I get to heaven my skills will be upgraded and we can jam together.

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Harry and Linda Stanbridge

Harry and Linda Stanbridge — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 01:02:26 +0000

A sower went out to spread his seed. And much fell on fertile ground.
We, the Victoria community of Imago Dei , are a growing shoot from
that early planting eight years ago, by Rob. A great teacher, and one
with a knack of connecting people who were meant to be together.
Robs Friday meditations were step stones enabling us through our
daily walk. He sowed, he salted ,and he blessed, in all he did, and I
am confident that his work will flourish as God blesses our silence
and praise, awaiting that DAY. A true servant of the Lord.

Comment on Rob Des Cotes (Founder – Imago Dei) by Andrea May

Andrea May — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 16:03:58 +0000

At this time of sadness, my loving prayers go out to the whole extended ‘family’ of the Imago Dei Christian Community, and especially, to Rob’s wife, Ruth, for continued blessings of comfort and strength… With ‘reflections’ from near and afar, we are all grateful to be touched by such a special ‘wonderful’ man’s life.