please no flames, I promise to provide all of the details!

Ok, I am using a 12V 4AH lead acid battery (Tempest brand). I am looking for a simple charger circuit (I Have searched online).

I am using a 12V DC 1Amp (1000mA...why do they always use mA units on those adaptors?) to charge the battery so it is already converted to a DC voltage (therefore no bridge rectifier needed?).

Other people in my department have suggested the simple resistor diode combo to charge the battery but after reading some of the posts here, I am not real comfortable using this approach. I would really appreciate any other ideas that anyone here might have.

Thanks,
..an