DIVINE ART
Artist Henri Matisse called his creation of the Chapel of the Rosary, located in the French village of Vence, the culmination of his career. But he was inspired by—and worked closely with—Sister Jacques-Marie, a woman who initially served as his nurse. The film A Model for Matisse, by Barbara Freed, documents their tender friendship, but also Matisse’s creative process as he designed everything from the chapel’s structure to the vestments. www.firstrunfeatures.com
CREATION CARE
A few years ago, J. Matthew Sleeth was a doctor whose family lived in an expensive house and drove luxury cars. But as more of his patients came in with environmentally induced ailments—and when he and his family assessed their own environmental impact—he decided changes were in order. Sleeth’s Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action is a highly readable and practical book about ways we can live in line with our biblical values. Chelsea Green
MUSIC BALM
For the Living of These Days is a beautiful collection of 14 stripped-down gospel tunes by Kate Campbell and Spooner Oldham. The duo reinterpreted classics including Woody Guthrie’s “Jesus Christ” and Kris Kristofferson’s “They Killed Him,” but they also created new songs, such as the stunning “Prayer of Thomas Merton,” in which Campbell puts Merton’s words to music. Deep meditations on mercy and hope. Large River Music