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 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.
a blue and white ukrainian flag
Article

Letters From Ukraine

Katie Durham shares her experiences from an opportunity to serve in Chernobyl
a man and a woman in a grayscale of a bridge of a body of water
Article

To Date, or Not to Date?

Practical and godly advice on when and whom to date
Article

True Dating: What Guys & Girls Want

Like a perfect rose blooming in a pockmarked battlefield is the fine art of true dating. Most of what you've learned about dating in popular culture is like the battlefield. Want to keep your emotions, body and spirit flying safely...
A young man kissing a young woman who is hugging him.
Article

A Touchy Subject: Hand-holding, Hugging, Kissing and More...

The time to make decisions about physical contact is before you get in a touchy situation. Making a decision on the fly with no forethought is a recipe for going too far.
a male and a female deer
Article

Higher Level Dating: Don't Be an Animal!

When it comes to dating and sex, God expects a higher level of principles and conduct from us.
Magazine Issue

Vertical Thought: January - March 2004

a smiling woman with a backpack standing in the middle of a road in a city
Article

God's Way: An Adventure Abroad

In a world where chasing new experiences often means bending or breaking old rules, two former exchange students discovered that living by God's principles not only enhanced their travel experiences but also deepened their spiritual growth.
Article

Treasure Digest: Be Ready to Give an Answer: Why Do You Teach a Second Resurrection (Chance)?

The Bible does not teach that anyone will have a second chance.
a basketball
Article

Basketball Is Her Second Goal . . . Her Religion Is Number One

Sports have been a big part of life for Jenny Stewart. So have her religious beliefs.