I was drawn to visit and tour the Church of Scientology Tampa when I saw the phrase “higher states of spiritual freedom” on their website. I made an appointment for the one-hour tour and signed up for the introductory class afterwards. I thought the class was an hour but actually is about 2-1/2 hours. Due to time constraints I used my two hours meeting Scientologists, asking questions, and learning as I toured the public information center. Everyone was very nice, professional, and as helpful as could be.
I like Scientology from what I see because it is all about the inward journey of self-discovery. Knowing how to know. All three parts of man—Thetan (Spirit)—Mind—Body.
I learned about the ‘Eight Dynamics of Existence”—1) Self; 2) Sex and Family; 3) Group Survival; 4) Mankind; 5) Life Forms; 6) Physical Universe (MEST=Matter, Energy, Space, and Time)); 7) Spiritual; and 8) Infinity—The Supreme Being Creator.
I learned of other concepts such as the Emotional Tone Scale—how to handle other people; the unpredictable nature of other people (and myself I thought). The ‘ARC Triangle’—Affinity (Emotional Response)—Reality (Solid, Real, Agreed Upon)—Communications (Interchange of Ideas). That if one leg of the triangle falls, all three legs fall and vice versa if one rises, all three rise! The process of ‘auditing.’ How our reactive mind can be activated, triggered by pain—physical, emotional—unconscious—partial/total all stored but can be cleared to make you free!
There are twenty-one (21) key dimensions or characteristics to be successful in life (my words as no labels were present; some dictionary definitions added below):
1) Take care of self.
2) Be temperate (moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement, etc.; moderate as regards indulgence of appetite or passion, especially in the use of alcoholic liquors; not excessive in degree, as things, qualities, etc.).
3) Don’t be promiscuous (characterized by or involving indiscriminate mingling or association, especially having sexual relations with a number of partners on a casual basis; consisting of parts, elements, or individuals of different kinds brought together without order; indiscriminate; without discrimination; casual; irregular; haphazard).
4) Love and help children.
5) Honor and help parents.
6) Set a good example.
7) Seek to live with the truth.
8) Do not murder.
9) Don’t do anything illegal.
10) Support a government designed and run for all people.
11) Do not harm a person of good will.
12) Safeguard/Improve your environment.
13) Do not steal.
14) Be worthy of trust.
15) Fulfill your obligations.
16) Be industrious.
17) Be competent.
18) Respect the religious beliefs of others.
19) Try not to do things to others that you would not like them to do to you.
20) Try to treat others as you would want them to treat you.
21) Flourish & Prosper.
I particularly liked the exhibits and office of the founder of Scientology and Dianetics—L. Ron Hubbard.
Writer—Artist—Administrator—Founder—Humanitarian
Some quotes of L. Ron Hubbard:
“A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.”
“It is not man’s dreams that fail him, it is the lack of know-how required to bring those dreams into actuality.”
“Probably the strangest place an explorer can go is inside.”
Dianetics—only workable technology of the mind.
Scientology—applied religious philosophy for total spiritual freedom.
A review of the exhibits include—Citizens Commission on Human Rights—World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE)—Scientology Volunteer Ministers—Scientology Around the World—Scientology Network (DIRECTV Channel 320)—International Association of Scientologists (IAS)—Drug-Free World—United for Human Rights—Applied Scholastics: Tools for Learning and Literacy—Narconon Drug Rehabilitation & education—Purification Program—Dianetics—Scientology: Parts of Man—See a Thought (E-Meter)—The Way to Happiness—Criminon: Criminal Reform—L Ron Hubbard Exhibits & Office.
There are two tests if a life well lived according to L Ron Hubbard:
1) Did we do as one intended?
2) Were people glad we lived?
It was an exceptional visit of one seeking to experience “the higher states of spiritual freedom!”
All good blessings with gratitude to the Church of Scientology Tampa!
My visit and worship at the River Church of Revival Ministries International was all that their website said it would be and more! Dynamic praise and worship; anointed preaching; teaching of the Word; and powerful demonstrations of the Holy Spirit and Power! Pastor Rodney was surely ‘totally dependent upon The Holy Spirit for His leading and guidance’ as he gave a powerful sermon of Matthew Chapter 25—Parable of the Talents!
From a parking lot so designated by signs with the names of the various countries of our world into a sanctuary with the flags of many countries this visit had an international flavor for sure so fitting as we are spiritually first all ‘children of the world.’ Pastor Rodney and his wife Pastor Adonica Howard Browne are from South Africa and starting in the 1980s, have built from the ground up a diverse and growing congregation.
The talents, the abilities, that you are born with are unique to you alone. Do not compare, do what God tells you to do! Do not do what most people do—do not hide your talents!
Another inspirational worship service hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) on PLAYERS Sunday at TPC Sawgrass. MC’d by FCA’s Matt Roop; music by the 
While in Orlando I was blessed to visit & worship at the New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida. A vibrant spiritual community indeed! Joyous opening with… this is the place where… miracles happen… Holy Spirit this is Your Home!
For those of you who have followed my world golf journeys over the last 5 years—to Mexico, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the 2016 Summer Golf Olympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil—know that they became inspiration-seeking, spiritual journeys as well. Well this one to Israel and Palestine will be purely spiritual in nature. Seeking any and all religious and spiritual insights into Judaism, Islam, Christianity et al, my life goal is to learn how to change hearts beginning with mine! Changing and connecting hearts around the world seems to me to be the only hope for bringing true worldwide peace, joy, justice, reconciliation, unity, freedom, faith, and abundance to all human beings. Please wish me well with your thoughts and prayers! TROML Baby (an exclamation of joy)! PS: as always I am looking for personal contacts with regard to accommodations and what sites to visit. I will have a rental car and it is a relatively small country so I can stay anywhere and be anywhere for the day! Thank you! 
Day 1: Arrived safely in Israel! Already visited Haifa, Nazareth, and Tiberias & Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee! Cursory first look! Amazing to be where Jesus lived, walked, & ministered 2,000+ years ago! Tel Aviv and Jerusalem today! Seven hours ahead of USA on Friday morning! TROML Baby (an exclamation of joy)!!!
Day 3 of Andy’s month-long ‘Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine! A quiet Shabbat Sabbath for the Jews of Israel! I took a short drive north to discover the only golf course in Israel- the Caesarea Golf & Country Club! A sneak preview of the 2007 Pete Dye Signature Course!
Biblical Moment No. 4 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine; in Caesarea where Paul appeared in the Audience Hall of King Herod’s Palace… with artifacts of Pontius Pilate…
Biblical Moment No. 5 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine… King Herod’s Caesarea was a very important part of the Roman Empire at the time… but the presence of Saint Paul the Apostle and Saint Peter the Apostle in Caesarea had lasting and dynamic implications for Christianity and the world. Cornelius, a Gentile, would be converted and baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and become one of the early Christians. Here is the biblical account of Saint Peter the Apostle in Caesarea: Cornelius’s Vision (Acts 10: 1-48 (In its entirety.))
Here are the Scriptures of St. Peter’s Ministry in Jaffa:
Day 5 of Andy’s month-long ‘Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine!
Biblical Moment No. 7 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine:
Day 7: Biblical Moment No. 12 of Andy’s Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine… familiar book and story of the Bible began in Jaffa (called Joppa in the Bible)… we all know how that one turned out… best to do as the Lord commands from the get-go! The entire 4-chapter book of Jonah is presented here with the reference to Jaffa (Joppa) in Verse 1:3.
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written (Reference Isaias 61:1-3),
Miracle at Cana John 2:1-11 (NASB): “On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
Seeing the rainbow as a sign of God’s renewed covenant with me I figured that it was time to renew my baptismal commitment to Him, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit and be baptized in the Jordan River at nearby Yardenit. 
My journeys in golf transitioned into something a bit more spiritual so no surprise that Day 9 of my Spiritual Journey to Israel & Palestine should include a little golf! 
For those of you who have followed my world golf journeys over the last 5 years—to Mexico, Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the 2016 Summer Golf Olympics in Rio de Janerio, Brazil—know that they became inspiration-seeking, spiritual journeys as well. Well this one to Israel and Palestine will be purely spiritual in nature. Seeking any and all religious and spiritual insights into Judaism, Islam, Christianity et al, my life goal is to l
In the Bible there are 2,548 references to Israel—the people, the land, this country on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. There are 645 Topical Indexes ranging alphabetically from Aaron to Zuzims!
Because the world is confusing, I am confusing within and so is every other human being. I seek spiritual solutions to living in this secular and religious world of confusion. I seek answers for my life here on Earth and beyond. I want to see beyond what seems to be—within me and in the world as we know it today!
Aaron: Commissioned as a deliverer of Israel… his first biblical reference being:
