Christians worldwide today celebrate Easter, an occasion of renewal, forgiveness and hope.

Three Richmond area men don't wait for this celebration of Jesus' resurrection to live those themes. Each has experienced life after death -- either spiritually or physically -- and sees each day as an opportunity to help others lead a life of purpose.

They model behavior others can emulate once they go through the "death" of admitting their inability to save themselves, said Tim Keller, author, speaker and the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.

"You must confess your helplessness and absolute need for God before you can rise up in the new confidence of God's unconditional grace and love," said Keller, who wrote "The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism."

"What people don't realize is that most of us have the same basic problem of spiritual self-sufficiency and pride. It's just that our addictions are more subtle. We are addicted to career and success, or romance and sex, or popularity and approval, or to power and influence," he said.

"We are sure that through these things we can achieve high self-esteem and so they drive us and intoxicate us. It keeps us self-absorbed, and we give only the slightest amount of money, time and thought to the problems of society and others."

These Richmond area residents practice their Christianity daily.