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. 

The Hole in Your Heart
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The Hole in Your Heart

All of us have deep needs we seek to satisfy. Most of the things we try only paper over the problems—they don't solve them. What can fill your yearning?
Maturity: Coming Soon to a Mind Near You
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Maturity: Coming Soon to a Mind Near You

Alcohol and drugs can arrest the mind's normal development. That is, if impaired thinking doesn't kill you first!
What Does God Think About Drugs?
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What Does God Think About Drugs?

Through the principles found in the Bible, we can know what He thinks about this modern issue.
Internet Pornography: A Cultural Plague
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Internet Pornography: A Cultural Plague

Along with all the wonderful uses of the Internet, there is another use that has been growing ever faster—that of commercialized pornography. But what are the effects of viewing sexually explicit pictures? Is it harmless? Is there any culturally redeeming...
Article

Jesus Christ: Divine Savior or Gnostic Nobody!

"Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God" (1 John 4:2-3)
Unintended Consequences vs. Intended Rewards
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Unintended Consequences vs. Intended Rewards

Most young people have been advised to forgo premarital sex in order to avoid pregnancy and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Now, according to new reports, there are more reasons for following this godly advice.
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Threads for Vertical Thinkers

Given the impact clothes can have on both guys and girls, how can a young person look fashionable while also modeling and promoting godly thinking?
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A Modest Past?

Have people in history always dressed modestly? The past is sometimes presented as an example of fully covered, “proper” fashion, and the present is portrayed as one of overly exposing formerly covered parts of the body. Is this really true?
Article

Opinion vs. Fact

"Thanks for sharing your opinion," said the man after I had answered his question about the Bible.
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Making Sense of the Virginia Tech Tragedy

This is a special edition of Vertical News (April 17, 2007) written to address a recent shooting rampage on the campus of a university in the United States.
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Vision: A Key to Combating Discouragement

When reading the scripture that says that Christ "was in all points tempted as we are," have you ever thought, "Yeah, right! He never went through the kind of discouragement that I am facing. He can't know what it's like!"?
Article

Don't Pay "Stupid Tax"!

Paying taxes is the expectation of Christians, but paying an extra tax for stupidity isn't. Here's a plan for getting the most for your money and avoiding an unnecessary penalty.
Article

Never Give Up!

A life-changing event happened to me a few years ago. Surprisingly to me, it involved my dog, Onyx.
Article

Early Hebrew Inscriptions on Egyptian Walls

Richard Steiner, a professor of Semitic languages at Yeshiva University in New York, has deciphered an ancient inscription found in a chamber under a pyramid south of Cairo.
A Moral Dilemma?
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A Moral Dilemma?

A radio program portrayed it as one. But in the end...
A Pentecost Message: It's Your Church Too!
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A Pentecost Message: It's Your Church Too!

Did you realize that this biblical Holy Day has special significance for young people?
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College Professor Discusses Differences in Christianity

Jesus said that He didn't come to bring peace to the earth, but division. And that has definitely happened.
Who Really Killed Jesus?
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Who Really Killed Jesus?

Was it the Jews? Or a high priest? Or a Roman soldier? Or someone else?
Article

Fitness or Fatness: What's Your Plan?

We generally take care of our cars, but most people don't have much of a plan for their health. With so much working against us, how can we choose fitness?
Puff, Puff...Cough, Cough!
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Puff, Puff...Cough, Cough!

"Smoke! Smoke! Smoke that cigarette. Puff! Puff! Puff—and if you smoke yourself to death, Tell St. Peter at the Golden Gate That you hate to make him wait, But you just gotta have another cigarette!" "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette,"...