Vertical Thought

Vertical Thought was published from 2003 to 2013 by the United Church of God. It was created to give relevant content to help young people ages 12-22 discover and live God's way of life. 

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Your Personal Economic Stimulus Package

To be successful personally and nationally, we need divine guidance.
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If God Wills

Do we boast of our plans as though the future were entirely within our control? Or, more dangerously, do we simply delete God from the planning board of our life?
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Snuff out the Hubble Bubble

The coolness factor of hookah is simply a smokescreen for the dangers of this and every other type of smoking.
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Sifting the News: What to Look for

One source reports the news one way. Another presents a very different picture. How do we make sense of these confusing discrepancies?
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The Rise of the Goths and the Emos

There have always been subcultures running counter to whatever was the dominant culture. The late 1970s saw the eruption of the virulently angry punk rock scene, with spiked hair and screeching vocals.
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God, Goths and Emos

When the culture is so clueless and corrupt, the call of countercultures is great. But there's a counterculture nearly everyone has overlooked.
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Americans in Jordan

What would it be like to get married in the American Midwest, then move halfway around the world to spend a year working in the Muslim Middle East? We asked Matthew and Mary Ann Bates, who did just that!
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Earth Day and Common Sense

Common sense and practicality will outlive political movements and trendy packaging of any color, including "green."
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Pilgrims Today, but Not Tomorrow

Wherever they are, true Christians are also expected to act differently from the people around them.
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Act Without Thinking

It seems like strange advice, but come along and you'll see what I mean.
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Forgiving Your Parents

"Impossible!" you say? Even though it's often hard to do, it can be done, and it's well worth the effort. Here's how.
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When Stars & Lives Collide

Does today's celebrity culture distract us from what's really important?
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Your Brain On Music

I can't get that song out of my head!" is a common complaint when a jingle from a commercial rattles around in our minds and we hum it endlessly. Why do those bits of music get stuck in our memory?
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Do Lyrics Matter?

What goes into your head can affect your thoughts and actions.
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What's Legal & Christian in Sharing Music?

Ripping, Burning, Downloading...What kind of media sharing is acceptable for Christians?
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The Dollar Heads South

As a vertical thinker, learn the lesson that the United States is ignoring. Value your savings by honoring the true Source of your wealth.
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Plugged In Tuned Out

There is no doubt that music is a powerful and enjoyable medium, but is it always beneficial for us? That depends.
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Summer—Time for Choices

A commentary by Frank Dunkle
Magazine Issue

Vertical Thought: April - June 2008

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When Christ Is President

Politics and issues change, making it hard to know the real truth of a matter until many years later. So what are vertical-thinking Christians supposed to do?