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. 

Girls & Romance Novels
Article

Girls & Romance Novels

Why is this genre of literature so appealing to women? Is it harmless fun?
Caught! On Facebook
Article

Caught! On Facebook

Even if you remove material from a Web site, it is cached by search engines and Internet archives. Once you post a picture, a video or text, it is out there, and you cannot get it back. Ever!
How to Make a Good First Impression
Article

How to Make a Good First Impression

You may have heard the warning, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression." Here's how to avoid mistakes.
Preparation With a Purpose
Article

Preparation With a Purpose

Your lifetime challenge is to become the type of person that is worthy to be a godly partner with someone who possesses all of the qualities you desire in a mate.
God's Feasts Answer the Big Questions - Part 2
Article

God's Feasts Answer the Big Questions - Part 2

Just as teachers prepare lesson plans for their students, God, through His feasts, provides a lesson plan for humanity.
Article

Creation Week: Light on Day 1 but the Sun on Day 4?

Genesis 1:3 tells us, "Then God said, 'Let there be light.'" If all the rest of the initial creation had to occur after this verse, then there would seem to have been nothing to produce this light (i.e., no sun).
In Defense of an Ancient Universe
Article

In Defense of an Ancient Universe

Why do we believe, contrary to young-earth creationism, that the heavens and the earth are significantly older than the 6,000-year history of man?
Article

Natural Attraction or Lust?

What's the difference between lust and natural attraction? How do we control our minds when we see a beautiful girl or a handsome guy?
Article

Shifting the Blame

It's so easy to see flaws in others instead of ourselves! But if we're that busy looking for fault in someone else, we likely have a much larger issue of guilt to deal with first!
Article

When Canes and Wheelchairs Will Be Museum Pieces

Will there ever be a time when there will be no more disabilities? The answer is, Yes!
Article

A World With Just a Pillow

Jesus spoke often of a Kingdom coming to earth that will bring peace and harmony.
Article

Grading on a Curve: The Danger of Comparison

Though many people consider the Ten Commandments just a restrictive list of "don'ts," actually God's commandments are always for our benefit.
Article

Is There Truth Out There?

Political smear campaigns, product marketing campaigns, and propaganda techniques all mask the truth. Fight them and learn the truth!
Article

Speaking of Family...

"Boys, I want you to go do those chores right now." "Oh no," I thought to myself. "There goes my little sister again—imitating Mom talking to my brother and me."
Article

How to Live the Best Life Possible

How can you get the most out of this life, which you can only spend once?
Article

The Power of the Earth

So, if one relatively modest volcano can cause so much disruption to international travel, what potential does the rest of the earth have?
Magazine Issue

Vertical Thought: July - September 2010

Article

They Are Gone

Does fear really do any good, though? Some say that it's impossible to live without it. It's an unavoidable aspect of life, isn't it?
Article

How Do Bones Grow?

I don't know how God made it so that our baby could grow over 300 bones, and all the other working parts it needs—but I'm sure glad He did!
Article

A Spoonful of Sugar?

How do we face the obstacles that inevitably present themselves in our lives—a difficult class, losing a job, an illness, maybe financial difficulties? Do they beat us down or do we choose the attitude we take toward them?