Greetings vertical thinkers,

A recent report showed that 75 percent of Christian youth abandon their beliefs after high school, and intellectual skepticism is one of the main reasons. If they attend college, they are likely to find more and more anti-Christian sentiments. "College professors are five times more likely to identify themselves as atheists than the general public," says Dr. Frank Turek (http://crossexamined.org/).

The Bible reveals what truth is and is filled with statements about truth. Christ said, "Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

Christ said, "'And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' They answered Him, 'We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, "You will be made free"?'" (John 8:32-33). After this discussion, the Jews tried to kill Christ (verse 59).

For hundreds of years the American judicial system has required that witnesses place their right hands on the Bible and swear (or affirm) "to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God." Even our currency is inscribed with the phrase: "In God We Trust."

When people doubt what truth really is and turn away from their Christian roots, the culture is in trouble. Most people today don't realize that there is a way of life defined by the Creator God who made us in His image that produces good results: happiness, joy, success and peace of mind. If we don't know God, how can we have much confidence in the future?

"Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: 'There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land'" (Hosea 4:1).

Speaking of this lack of truth, Os Guinness writes, "One word of truth outweighs the entire world? Truth prevails for those who live in truth? A public hunger to hear the truth? Hardly—or at least not here and now. 'The truth shall set you free' may be the most popular university motto across the Western world, but while the text still adorns the walls, the truth no longer animates the minds" (Os Guinness, Time for Truth, Living Free in a World of Lies, Hype and Spin, 2000, p.11).

It is said that to have a fulfilling life, three essentials are required:

• a clear sense of personal identity,
• a deep sense of faith and meaning and
• a strong sense of purpose and mission.

The staff members of Vertical Thought are dedicated to assisting our readers in their development of all of these critical areas.

The ancient prophet wrote of God's revelation to man, "'Is not My word like a fire?' says the Lord, 'And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?'" (Jeremiah 23:29).

As a young adult, you are going to need some heavy-duty equipment—like a hammer and fire—to keep yourself from following a very humanistic culture that seems befuddled when it comes to truth. I encourage you to study God's Word, attend a church teaching God's way of life and use the tools that will help you find a meaningful life rooted in God's truth.

This month's online article, "Gearing Up for College," was written by Vertical Thought staff member Amanda Stiver in anticipation of young people getting ready to leave home for college. Be sure to check it out.