Fresh Baked Goods for your family or event!

Jared Preserves

Cupcakes

Cookies

Pies

Cakes

And more!

Online orders coming soon!

AprilandDecember.com February

The Giving Issue 2012 Page 3

Cover Image: Image: Sicha Pongjivanich / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Sisters Sweets images: www.guidetohomecanning.com; Publishers page and Table of contents image: Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Lifestyle pages: howtobetrendy.com and Banana Republic Microsoft 365 Logo and Pod Snack logo: Mircosoft365.com; snacktools.com Such as I have Photos: http://www.homelesschattanooga.org Such As I have interview: Peggy J. Ownes Christian Entertainment: Sugar Mamma’s review and photo found on: http://www.eurweb.com/category/entertainment/television/ DVD Higher Ground: Picture and synopsis found on http://www.christianfilmdatabase.com Television Listing Image: www.clker.com

April and December e-Zine

Christian Life 365

Publisher

From the Desk © Publishing

Rchristopher1979@live.com

President

Rosanna Christopher

Rose.studio6@yahoo.com

Vice President

Mia James

Vixenjames1979@yahoo.com

Editor

Rosanna Christopher

Contributing Writers

Mia James

Ann Christopher

George Christopher

Images

Freedigitalphotos.net

Yahoo image search

Account Executives

Rosanna Christopher

Mia James

Aprilanddecember.com © e-Zine , January 2012.

Published by From the Desk Publishing ©

Rossville Ga 30741. Direct all circulation and

editorial inquiries to rose.studio6@yahoo.com.

All information herein has been checked for

accuracy to the best of the publisher’s abilty. No

responsibility accepted for deletions, omission,

errors and/or inaccuracies. Unless special

placement within the e-zine is specifically

purchased, publisher reserves the right to place any ad on first come first serve basis.

{From the Editor}

Give till your Full

Now that we have made it to

2012, we can continue our

focus on being blessed to bless.

The best way to start is to

remember that charity starts at

home. Not just love, but

giving. The word of God says

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts

unto your children, how much more shall your Father

which is in heaven give good things to them that ask

him?” (Matthew 7:11) This verse is not to say that

we are evil, but to express a point. The point is, how,

if we give our biological family, the best—do we find

ourselves devaluing the family of Christ by giving less.

A “good” gift is a gift that has a purpose, can

be used and most importantly comes from the heart.

What the Lord requires of us is that we pour so much

out of ourselves that we are empty of us and full of

Him. The less of our selfishness we have in the way,

the more God can speak to us and direct us. Having

clear direction is not a blessing but the perfect set up

to bless. We should be sincere and silent. Realizing

that we could never give more than our heavenly

Father gave to us.

This issue will hopefully help you see how you

can give on a regular and even daily basis. We

highlight some of our favorite everyday charities and

even give you some retailers and products that donate

portions of sales on a daily basis. Some of them will

surprise you. So get ready to start your year blessed

and march on toward December 2012 blessing

everyone in your path.

-Rose

Departments

5 The Take

6 Beauty and

Fashion

9 Life Focus

10 Page of Power

13 Entertainment

Special features

11 Such as I have

14 The Givers

15 Credits

Don’t forget you can

click on highlighted

words!

AprilandDecember.com February

The Giving Issue 2012 Page 5

The T

ake o

n A

&D

-R. Christopher

When it comes to giving,

people are usually quick to say it is

something we are supposed to do.

The word itself, especially for

Christians, it conjures up images of

mission trips, food drives and trips

to the Salvation Army. But what

does God really require of us?

We know that the greatest gift

was Christ giving his life on the

cross for our sins, but even as we

die unto self like Christ, how does

that translate to us giving gifts or

doing good deeds?

Let’s go to the temple called

Beautiful for a second. It is the usual

scene. The poor and needy are

outside the temple begging the

good Christians for food and money.

And as a particular beggar asked

Peter and John for the usual coins,

he got more than he bargained for.

As Peter asked him to look at him,

he gave the man thru the power of

the Spirit of Christ, his ability to

walk again!

What can we take away from

all of this? Peter made the point of

this very clear with his words, “silver

and gold I have none, but what I do

have I’ll give it to you.” He didn’t

ask what he was going to do with it

or if he could write it off on his

taxes. He didn’t even say, “don’t

worry about it, I’m sure I’ll need

something from you later.” Not at

all, he did it because the power of

God provided him with what he

needed to bless someone else.

1 Timothy 5:25 says that

“good deeds are obvious and even

those that are not cannot be

hidden.” As God provides for us, it

is imperative that we pass our

blessings along. Not so we can get

glory, but so that God can work even

more.

Beauty

and F

ashio

n

Photos: howtobetrendy.com and Banana Republic

We know this issue is

about giving. That is why we

are giving you tips on one of

the winter wardrobes best

giver…the cardigan!

Coming in a multitude of

colors, lengths and styles, the

cardigan is no longer just a

layering piece but a fashion

piece.

For the ladies, the

cropped cardigans can be worn

with your favorite tank or tight

fitting tee. Longer cardigans

can be put with collared shirts

or cowl neck sweaters.

The guys also have a lot

more options when it comes to

the cardigan. You can put it on

with a tie and a button up and

wear it to the office or, you can

take the tie off and pair with

jeans for those casual Fridays.

Different colors and

patterns make it versatile

enough and you can choose

from color blocked detail for a

more sophisticated look or a

cable knit for a night out with

the boys.

Support a cause, buy a cardigan here!

AprilandDecember.com February

The Giving Issue 2012 Page 7

Beauty

and F

ashio

n

While poking around the internet

one thing is clear on the beauty

sites…everyone wants summer skin in

the dead of January! While everyone

can’t afford to hop on a plane to

hibernate in Hawaii, there are some

things that both girls and guys need to

keep your skin not only radiant, but

healthy during the cold winter months.

Click highlighted words to see a list of

the charities they support!

A great moisturizer

You want a lotion that is going to

be creamy without that greasy feel.

Believe it or not, there are cream

moisturizers for oily skin. Try Oil of

Olay or Eucerin. If you think pricier

is better, a lot of women swear by

La Mer.

A great body lotion

Just like your skin care

moisturizer you want a thick creamy but

not oily. Some favorites are of course

Aveeno, Neutrogena or Eucerin but

among those types of moisturizers,

Cetaphil. There is also Extra Virgin

Coconut Oil and Udderly Smooth.

Lip Balm

I’m not trying to kill Chapstick’s

shine, but since it contains alcohol, it

can be drying, hence why people carry it

around with them. Here I will give you

not what I found on the net, but what I

personally swear by. Burt’s Bee’s

Pomegranate Beeswax Lip Balm and my

all time favorite Cocoa Butter Lip by

Cococare. Both keep your lips smooth

and hydrated for hours!

Sunglasses

The suns rays still shine through

in the winter. But besides just having

protection for your peepers, you don’t

want to squint. This causes unsightly

lines around the eyes. Try Tom’s

Eyewear for affordable and charitable

sunglasses!

Eye Cream

Yes, men use eye cream too!

You may want to try a catalog brand for

this one. Try Timewise by Mary Kay or

hit your department store for a good

night serum. If you don’t like either of

those options, Oil of Olay has great

products to choose from.

AprilandDecember.com February

The Giving Issue 2012 Page 9

Life

Focus

A different way to give every day!

With the economy the way it is, there

are so many that need our help. Every

day we go on about our lives not really

realizing how we can impact someone

else. Here are five ways you can give

more of yourself and Christ.

1. Volunteer: You don’t need a

place with this one, just an

opportunity. Volunteer to take

a neighbor to the store, or to

run errands for someone you know

can’t drive or get out.

Volunteer for the Youth

committee at Church. Simple put

get involved!

2. Support local business’s that

regularly donate to charities or

community centers.

3. Donate your time! Spend time

helping out the local community

kitchen or food bank

4. Donate to a local shelter, home

for Teens or crisis center. Not

just things or money but a

little time as well

5. Re-evaluate your belongings:

Are you really gonna where all

those clothes? When you plan to

go shopping, set up a box by

your closet. For every one

piece you put in, give one old

(gently used please!) piece

away. Making cookies? Make an

extra batch and stop by that

nursing home you always pass by.

6. Spread some cheer: You see the

cashier ringing you up is not

really happy. With a sincere

voice and a simple smile,

compliment something about her.

You may or may not get a

response but more often than not

you will. Even if it is just a

light smile. Be sure to say

“Thank You” as you leave.

You’d be surprised what that

does to a person on the

inside…trust me, I work retail!

7. The most important one of all

is START AT HOME! Get your

entire family involved in giving

and helping, especially the

children!

Page o

f Pow

er-

CH

AR

ITY

-George Christopher

And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the

inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will

be repaid for what he has done and there is no partiality. -Colossians 3:23-24

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted

soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness be as the

noonday. -Isaiah 58:10

“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather

the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for and deserted by everybody.

The greatest evil is the lack of love and charity.” -Mother Teresa

Father God, I know that you use me and my blessings to be blessings

to other people. Help me to not take for granted all that you have

given me so that I may share it with those you allow me to help. Thank

you for providing the needs of myself and my family and the loved ones around me. In Christ’ name we pray, Amen.

AprilandDecember.com February

The Giving Issue 2012 Page 11

Specia

l Featu

re

-Ann Christopher

“Oh please don’t put my picture in there!”

She’s all smiles and laughter. Of course I

would never put her picture up if she didn’t

want it…she never wants it! She is a humble

soul with a big heart. “Compared to the

people I am blessed to see down there, I

don’t have any problems.

Down there refers to the

Chattanooga Community Kitchen in

Chattanooga Tennessee. Peggy J. Owens

has been volunteering there recently and feels quite

blessed to do so. Suffering from Chrons Disease and

on disability herself, she counts it all joy to be able to

help people that so desperately need it. “Sometimes I

just sit and look at the people as they eat. All I can do

is pray for them. It is cold out. If I could take them all

home I would. But I can’t.”

She looks heartbroken as she says it. Her

mother was like that too. If you were hungry she’d

feed you…as a matter of fact, even if you weren’t

hungry she’d feed you! So has the Community

kitchen. They have been feeding the hungry and

homeless of Chattanooga since 1982 and they now

offer shelter, clothing and other resources to help

lessen poverty in the Greater Chattanooga area. As

a result of the down economy, they are in greater

need of support and volunteers. People like Peggy

are a perfect match for the center.

“You know you hear people talk about how

bad they have it. But you haven’t seen bad until you

see the children come thru the line. In the same

clothes they had on yesterday and we only have a

little food. Sometimes they come back for seconds. I

have watched a lot of parents give most of their food

to their kids and only eat

a little for themselves. It’s heartbreaking. All I can do

is serve them and pray for them.” And pray she does.

We actually interrupted one of her prayer sessions.

She just pours her heart out for these people. People

she only knows thru the food service at the center.

But they matter to her. “I have nieces and a nephew.

I have two sisters. God forbid they ever need it but

you have to think about that. These people who

come (to the center) are mothers and fathers and

children. They are people and they have to matter to

someone. I may not be much too some people but

God has blessed me. If they only matter to me then

so be it.”

Luckily, they matter to a multitude of

volunteers who work the soup line and hand out

clothes and blankets. But more help is always

appreciated.

Specia

l Featu

re

“There are a few of us that can be there on a regular

basis, but we always need help. We scrape at

menus. We sometimes run out of food. I would

definitely make a cry to area businesses if they

could just help us. I know things are tough right

now for everyone, but if you are the least bit

[more] blessed than anyone of these souls that

come in, you should help. Even the smallest task

is greatly appreciated.”

It is amazing how this interview is going. The only

people concerned for Miss Owens is our staff. She

is thinking nothing of herself! “I have everything I

need. It’s not much but God has been good to me.

He has blessed me in ways no one could imagine. I

have two sisters with diabetes. A niece with MS and

my other niece has fibro[myalgia]. My nephew has

been severely burned over most of his body and I lost

both my parents. But we are still here, I’m still here

and I’m blessed. I do still have family and friends and

I make new friends everyday at the shelter. My life is

full and I am complete. I just pray that the people

who come in will one day be able to say the same.”

For many of the people who line up at the

center, they can briefly see the hope that Peggy so

meaningfully describes. A hot meal, a warm place to

eat and a smile from behind the counter will get a lot

of people through the day. Many of them will be back

tomorrow. Some of them don’t make it back. “I

always think the worst when I don’t see some people

come back. But then a few days or maybe a week

later they come back in and say that someone else

helped them out or they got food somewhere else.

That makes me happy. There is someone else out

there that cares.”

Yes, we too are certain that there are a lot

more Peggy’s out there. Maybe they just need a little

encouragement to come on in and help out. I believe

Miss Peggy said it best. “At some point in [your] life

someone helped you out. It should be a privileged to

pass that along.”

Photos: courtesy of the Chattanooga Community

Kitchen

If you would like to donate your time,

resources or offer financial help please

visit the Center at:

http://homelesschattanooga.org/donati

ons.html

AprilandDecember.com February

The Giving Issue 2012 Page 13

Ente

rtain

ment

Post from EURweb.com

Click picture or title to continue reading

on EURweb.com

‘Sugar Mommas’: Are

Gospel Plays the New Black

Sitcoms?

*This weekend, GMC premieres its latest

televised gospel play, “Sugar Mommas,”

only this play was never a traditional

production for live audiences. It was

produced by GMC as a play specifically for

broadcast – and the network is producing

seven more gospel plays set to air

throughout 2012. Terri J. Vaughn, who stars

in “Sugar [...]

1. In the Middle -Isaac Carree

2. My Hope is in you -Aaron Shust

3. Strong enough to save -10th Avenue North

4. I need your glory -Earnest Pugh

5. Waiting for Tomorrow -Mandisa

6. Still Able -James Fortune

7. Strong enough -Matthew West

8. Spiritual -Donald Lawrence

9. I hear the sound -Maurette Brown Clark

10. Lift me up -The Afters

Ente

rtain

ment

January 10, 2012

Find your favorite show on Television! Family Friendly Entertainment

Gospel Entertainment Television

Gospel Music Channel

Gospel Music Channel EURweb

These are live links, just click the link!!!

“A chronicle of one woman’s lifelong

struggle with her faith.”

The movie begins with a young girl,

Corinne, who watches her wholesome

family break apart after her parents lose a

baby at birth. Later on, at a vacation

Bible school, Corinne raises her hand for

the preacher and declares that she has

been saved.

As the years wear on, however, she

remains unchanged, eventually marrying

the front man of a rock band, Ethan, when

she is noticeably pregnant with his child.

Corinne and Ethan, along with their baby

daughter, would later get into a dramatic

bus accident that would serve as their

spiritual wake up call.”

Click the Picture to read more!

[Synopsis by Christianfilmdatabase.com]

AprilandDecember.com February

The Giving Issue 2012 Page 15

-Rose Christopher

There are people who take and

there are people who receive. This is

something I learned as I got older.

The difference between taking

and receiving is that taking is done out

of selfishness, without permission and

even out of spite or disregard. But

receiving is the act of having kindness

shown to you when you need it the

most. It boosts your confidence while

humbling you at the same time.

While we rarely put the words

business and humble in the same

sentence, there are a few companies out

there that donate portions of their

profits or actual merchandise to those

who need it the most.

We wanted to list our favorites

here so that you can partake in the act

of giving every time you purchase from

these companies. The joy of giving and

watching it be received is quite non-

comparable to the act of just shopping.

Click the link to learn more about

each one.*

Tom’s shoes

Coffee for Water

Hopeline

Fair Trade

Clothing

Common

Kindness

Network for

Good

Good Search

Cause On

*To our knowledge, each site

listed is practices good ethics in

giving and adheres to a common

code of ethical and moral

judgment.

AprilandDecember.com nor it’s

subsidiaries whether it be COB,

The Midway Independent Christian

Church or Studio6network are not

responsible for any unethical

activity from any of these sites.