A Hollywood producer wants to make sure that he includes God in the creation of "The Resurrection," a film that he would like to see materialize as the sequel to Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."

To help ensure that the project is divinely inspired during every step of the way, David Wood has not only brought together four other Christian men to co-produce the film with him, but has also assigned one of them specifically to lead the production's prayer team.

Pastor Tim Price is the CEO of the Center for Prayer Mobilization based in Idyllwild, Calif., and has had a heart to pray for Hollywood for several years. Rather than joining past movements of Christians boycotting Hollywood films deemed inappropriate, he decided to pray. more >>

As Jesus drowned in his own blood, the spectators yelled words quite similar to those of Satan in the wilderness: "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe" (Mk. 15:32).

But Jesus didn't jump down. He didn't ascend to the skies. He just writhed there.

The bloated corpse of Jesus hit the ground as he was pulled off that stake, spattering warm blood and water on the faces of the crowd. more >>

Pope Benedict XVI appealed for peace in the Middle East during his Easter message at St Peter's Basilica.

Up to 100,000 came to hear the pope deliver his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (Latin for "to the city and the world") speech. The pope, who turns 85 next week, held a night time vigil in the church.

The pope directed part of his message at the Syrian government, which has been condemned internationally for its brutal crackdown on opposing rebels. more >>

Defying a decree issued by the late Pope Shenouda III prohibiting members of the Coptic Church from visiting Jerusalem, Egyptian Copts are for the first time flying to the Holy Land in large numbers to celebrate Easter. However, it has now been reported that some of them are being denied entry into churches upon arrival.

Copts were among the thousands of Christians gathered near the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built at a site where Jesus was crucified and buried, for Easter Saturday. However, St. Helena Chapel at the church within the walled Old City of Jerusalem denied entry to them, Egyptian state-run news agency MENA reported.

"We neither allowed them to pray nor to break their fast," a chapel priest identified only as Mesaael was quoted as saying. "That infuriated them to the extent that some of them wanted to fight us. The priest added that Pope Shenouda's instructions were still valid and "we have to respect them even more than we did when he was alive." more >>

How do we as Christians deal with the whole topic of the "pagan" celebration of Easter verses the Christian holiday of Resurrection Sunday? Do we avoid all things that reek of jelly beans or chocolate Easter bunnies during this most holy of weekends? Do we refuse to allow our children to participate in Easter's version of trick-or-treat (aka "the Easter egg hunt")?

While I'm not going to try to tackle these beyond-my-pay-grade questions, I do think that many Christians miss a huge opportunity when it comes to Easter. This becomes especially clear when we watch how the early Christians used pagan traditions as a pulpit to preach the gospel. The Apostle Paul himself dealt with the year-round paganism of Athens by sterring the negative of their rituals toward the positive of the resurrection. His reaction to their godless traditions provide some powerful lessons for us.

First of all he had a broken heart over the fact that the people of Athens were missing the point. In Acts 17:16 Luke writes, "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols." The great apostle wandered the streets of Athens leaving a trail of tears everywhere he went. These Greeks were worshipping created things rather than the Creator and it tore him up. He so longed for them to know the true God! more >>

Perhaps the reason many people don't get excited about Easter is that they do not know the full meaning of Jesus' resurrection and are not viewing the holy day in "3D," said Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren during one of the first of his weekend service messages Friday.

Warren related the fact that 3D movies have grown in number and popularity recently because some people believe they offer a "fuller experience," using the analogy as an illustration that shows that there is more to the Easter story than what many may perceive as one-dimensional.

He will be giving his Easter sermon at the megachurch located in Lake Forest, Calif., several times in order to accommodate 35 church services held on the main campus and satellite campuses throughout Orange County and neighboring Riverside County through Sunday. All Saddleback's Easter services are broadcast on the church's website as well. more >>