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. 

house being demolished
Article

Proverbs: God Tears Down the Arrogant House

Wisdom that sticks with you - straight from God's Word.
precious stone
Article

Proverbs: The Payoff

Wisdom that sticks with you - straight from God's Word.
scientist filling beaker
Article

Did Life Come from Soup?

In a vain attempt to evade recognizing God as Creator, evolution claims that life on earth began in a primordial soup. But does science actually support the soup theory?
footprints with arrows
Article

Proverbs: The Lot Is Cast

Wisdom that sticks with you - straight from God's Word.
spring lamb
Article

Vantage Point: Passover and the Messiah

The salvation of humankind is shown through God's Holy Days.
headphones
Article

God, Music, and You

Wherever we go and whatever we do, it seems we are always surrounded by music. Is our choice of music important?
man with paper fish taped on back
Article

Vantage Point: Who Does April Fools' Fool?

One of the lesser celebrations in the western nations is April Fools' Day. Where did it come from?
cowboy with horses
Article

God and Cowboys

Growing up on a ranch, I could rope horses and cattle with my lariat, but I could never master rope twirling. Now I know why—the mysteries of higher mathematics eluded me. However, the mystery of God’s existence did not!
four leaf clover
Article

Vantage Point: St. Patrick's Day - It's The Little Things That Count

Is it okay to participate in some elements of popular religious holidays? Or are there more serious consequences to disobeying God’s laws?
stethoscope
Article

First, Do Some Good

Doctors agree to a basic principle of the Hippocratic Oath: “First, do no harm.” But what is the basic tenet of a follower of the Jesus Christ of the Bible?
camel and baby camel
Article

Vertical Focus: Camels Domesticated As Bible Portrays

With new archeological findings about domesticated camels making headlines, let’s take a closer look at the Biblical record.
heart shaped lights
Article

Valentine's Day: Are All Holidays the Same?

What do its pagan origins imply about Valentine’s Day and other popular holidays?
Mud Buddies
Article

Mud Buddies

Two friends, one tough race - crossing the finish line with priceless lessons learned.
cigarette and ashes
Article

Up In Smoke: 50 Years of Smoking and Lung Cancer

Half a century later, the known harmful of effects of smoking tobacco are still very real.
hands folded in prayer
Article

Vantage Point: Happy Thanksgivukkah?

What lessons can we learn from the history that makes Hanukkah and Thanksgiving coincide in 2013?
effigy burned
Article

Vantage Point: Halloween - Calling Evil Good

Why does it matter what a young person like you chooses to do on October 31?
goat
Article

Vantage Point: Give The Devil His Due

The Day of Atonement sheds light on why this world has so many troubles. - From the editors of Vertical Thought.
red, yellow, and blue colors and eyeglasses
Article

The Real 'Man of Steel' Is Coming

When you need a real hero to save the world - Who do you call?
Patch of clovers
Article

The Patrick You Didn't Know

Who was "Saint" Patrick? What did he believe? What did he teach? And was he really Irish?
Society's Five Rotten Apples: Part 2-A Pill Without a Prayer
Article

Society's Five Rotten Apples: Part 2 - A Pill Without a Prayer

Again we ask: Why is the world the way it is? What’s shaped our society and the kind of people we are? We’ve come up with all kinds of great things, like technology, medicine and governing constitutions. But the way...