Dear Talking Stick and Moonfire, It took a miracle! There are no words that can express the gratitude that we feel in our hearts for all the prayers and thoughts you have had for Matthew during this time of need. We are convinced that Matthew would not be alive today if it were not for all of you. In the weeks since the accident, (Matthew was in a motorcycle accident and suffered extensive head injuries) we have watched Matthew surpass all possibilities. He is now an outpatient and doing very well. We are planning for him to resume school soon. Thank you all! May you reap what you sow! With loving Gratitude, the Gallen Family

The age-old tie between physical health and the condition of the soul is getting some fresh attention. Dr. Howard Koenig, a psychologist trained in family medicine, is at the forefront of this trend. The Handbook of Religion and Health, co-authored by Koenig and published last year, cites 1,200 studies linking spiritual activity to everything from greater longevity to less depression. One example: A 1998 Duke University study of 4,000 people age 65 and older found that those who frequently attended services, prayed or studied scripture were 40 percent less likely to have high blood pressure.

Meanwhile, grants from the John Templeton Foundation have helped 33 U.S. medical schools augment their curricula with classes on "multiculturism, spirituality, and end-of-life care". The grant paid for a May lecture by Koenig, "Religion, Spirituality and Medicine: History, Research and Clinical Investigation", which was attended by 170 second-year students.

Says Eric Achtyes, President of the University's Christian Medical Association student chapter: "If these things are important to patients, they should be important to me."