If you ever shut_down the server or stop apache you must do the following fore apache to start again.  

1)  Make sure mysql is running (if you have it supported)
2)  Comment out the following lines in apache.conf or httpd.conf


    LoadModule php4_module        /System/Library/Apache/Modules/libphp4.so

    AddModule mod_php4.c

    plus::
    
    AddType application/x-httpd-php3 .php3
    AddType application/x-httpd-php3-source .phps
    AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
    AddType application/x-tar .tgz

    ++ any other thing that refers to php in the file
    
3) restart apache by stopping it first and then restart

    apachectl stop
    apache -f /path/to/conf/file
    apachectl start

4)  Then uncomment what you commented out and then restart apache with

    apachectl restart

THATS IT IT SHOULD RECOGNIZE PHP NOW

Create a simple file and put in your webserver document directory and have fun!!