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. 

a young man looking up with a quizzical frown on his face
Article

Why Should I?

It seems to be a habit today to respond to situations with the attitude of "because I want to." How do socially conscious people like us combat this ever- present selfish idea of "I'm going to do whatever I want...
a path through the woods illuminated by faint sunlight
Article

Like Hiking With God

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. – Henry David Thoreau
Article

How Much Faith Is Enough?

Have You Thought of This? A Word to the Wise...
a sheaf of 100-dollar bills held in a woman's hands
Article

Money & Teens

Here's some advice for making money and putting it to work so you'll be able to meet your long-term goals.
smiling woman wearing black sunglasses and holding a woven hat while standing outdoors
Article

Sun Safety

Sun Safety Here's how you can protect yourself from the sun and have a safe, fun-filled summer.
Article

Heading off to College

Before you being college, you will need a few tools in your belt that will aid you in staying the Christian course
Magazine Issue

Vertical Thought: July - September 2004

a young woman with red hair standing with a lake in the background
Article

Personalizing the Passover: What About Unbaptized Young People?

Since the Bible teaches that observing the Passover is for those baptized, does this mean that the Passover is irrelevant for young people?
Article

Can We Be Wiser Than Solomon?

Even though Solomon was wiser than everyone (1 Kings 4:31 tells us that "he was wiser than all men"), did he ever make decisions that were not wise? Is there anything we can learn from this?
a woman praying outdoors
Article

What Is Repentance?

Human beings have to repent before receiving God's gift of the Holy Spirit.
a man riding a bull in a rodeo with a crowd of people watching
Article

How to Survive Bull Riding and Religion

One man shares his experiences with a favorite sport and how they compare to his spiritual journey.
a man walking on a mountain trail looking out at the peaks in the horizon
Article

What It Is Like Being a Young Church Member in France

An account of a young Christian living in France
Article

A Course on Evolution and Faith

What happens when a young person who believes in God studies evolution? Read this first-hand account to discover what happened to one college freshman.
Article

Television Facts

Important facts about the effects of Television
Article

The Value of Reading

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body" -Sir Richard Steele.
a well-dressed man standing in front of a concrete building and leaning on a metal stair rail
Article

A Beautiful Vertical Mind

Mentally speaking, are you all there? Many people don't realize they're missing a critical nonphysical component.
Article

Had a Mental Checkup Lately?

Just as with our annual physical check -ups, each year on the Days of Unleavened Bread and Passover, we should take extra measures to examine ourselves. This is our annual spritual "check-up."
Magazine Issue

Vertical Thought: April - June 2004

Article

The History of Dating

Ever wondered what dating was like a century ago? Read this article to gain historical insight regarding arranged marriages, courting and how current dating practices evolved.
Article

A Personal Perspective on The Passion of the Christ

A review of the movie The Passion of Christ.