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. 

an elderly man sitting on a bench in a park
Article

Lessons from a Chance Encounter: Finding Assurance in Faith and Life's Purpose

A young woman travels to England and meets a man who helps her to understand that knowing God and living His way of life is the only way to attain the precious gift of eternal life.
the spine of a Bible
Article

Giving an Answer

Imagine what it's like to spend the first year of college at a religious school where Old Testament Religion is a required course of study. Nervous about asking off for the Feast of Tabernacles, to your shock your professor asks...
a statue of Charles Darwin
Article

Darwinism in the Classroom

When you believe God created the heavens and earth, what strategies can you use when confronted with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution?
a body of water with a boats surrounded by green cliffs
Article

Serving in Thailand

Teaching in exotic Thailand for a year brought unexpected challenges and personal changes. The experience gave us broader perspectives and deeper insights into other cultures, ourselves and God's way.
Vertical Thought October - December 2003
Article

A New Magazine Is Born

Introduction of the new Vertical Thought Magazine
Magazine Issue

Vertical Thought: October - December 2003

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Readers' Comments

Messages may be edited for clarity and space. If you want to send in a comment or suggestion, just click on "Comments/Suggestions" in the top header of our home page.
Article

A Special Friend

Friendships don't have to just be with people our own age. Read this heart-warming story about a friendship that spanned the generations.
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Friendship Quiz

Friends are a great blessing and a major part of life. Friendships are not only fun, they help give us the support and companionship God made us to need.
Making Peace
Article

Making Peace

How can you be a peacemaker when friends are at each other's throats?
Friends for Excellence
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Friends for Excellence

Everyone knows that friends influence us, but can we really choose friends for excellence? Read this article to learn how friendships develop and how you can guide the process.
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Special Announcement

Youth United becomes new printed magazine: Vertical Thought
Article

Virginity Is It Worth It

Many people mistakenly think everyone is having sex before marriage, but the facts show otherwise—with good cause.
Article

Dirty Talk Does God Care

Profanity and cussing are rampant. You hear it everywhere. Some say it doesn't really matter how we talk. Learn what God says about this important subject.
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Smart Youth Avoid Sex

More and more young people in the United States and around the world are deciding to not have sex. Many have decided that abstinence is better. Why are so many making this decision in the face of all the pressures...
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Is Everything OK?

Is it true that "anything goes"? Some people believe you can do anything you want in life and it really won't matter. But such shifting values broadcast a dangerous message to teens today. There is cause and effect for every...
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Are All Choices Equal?

As we consider the many opportunities and choices before us, the list seems endless.
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News for Youth...Teen Pregnancy: Behind the Stats

The teen birth rate in 2001 was the lowest it had been in over 60 years.
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News for Youth...Youth Court: Teens Try Real Cases

Youth courts have proven to be effective tools for teaching the importance of proper societal conduct.
Article

News for Youth...Video Violence Affects the Brain

A recent study finds that youth who spend hours playing violent video games have less activity in the frontal lobes of their brains than other youth