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April 2017
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BETWEEN OUR COVERS | April 2017 Š
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Rabbi Andrew Paley, Senior Rabbi at Temple Shalom, makes remarks at the memorial service for the five law enforcement officials killed in an ambush on July 7, 2016.
Joshua C. Johnson
COMPTROLLER
Yolanda Frazier-Gills
SENIOR ADVISORS
Rabbi Andrew Paley is the spiritual leader of Temple Shalom. Key to his ministry is assisting others without regard to their race, their place of birth or the language that they speak.
Silently The Giants Have Grown page 4
Business page 5
Young People Of Faith page 6
Jared Shelton, 14, has brought great joy into the lives of his grandparents, Richard and Sue Harding. Grandfather and grandson perform in the same band.
Learning page 7
To Your Health page 10 Legal Lines page 11
A Family of Faith page 12
Bloods drives, disaster relief and community involvement are central to the ministry of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Real Estate page 14
Joseph Green-Bishop
SENIOR EDITOR
Shepherds In The Pulpit page 8
New Comforter Church enriches the lives of its members and even those who are not a part of its congregation. The senior housing it has built is a model for the nation.
Mayor Lee P. Brown
EDITORIAL DIRECTORS SENIOR ADVERTISING DIRECTORS
Mamie Williams Kareem El Amin Julius Sonko Ken Glaser Muhammed Riyaz Dr. Elizabeth Sobanjo James Yoon Anita Weinstein Warner Kenneth Parker Michael Williams Dr. William Woodfin Tim Livingston Jim Washington Robert Ashley Sierra Vieregge Samuel Muwanguzi Bill Hoffpauer Aaron Palmer Constance Burton
Vol. 1 No. 1 April 2017
Arise & Rejoice is a publication that demonstrates the goodness and grace that abounds within all people. It seeks to bring all of us closer together, promoting understanding and reconciliation. It believes in the development of a community of "we" where no one is seen as "the other" and where all people are acknowledged and respected! Information concerning advertising may be obtained from the Advertising Coordinator, Arise & Rejoice Media Inc., P.O. Box 612964, Dallas, Texas 75231. Contact via Telephone: 214-886-3716, E-mail: divinedesigntexas@gmail.com. The description and attribution of advertisements are the sole responsibility of advertisers.
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V I S I O N
April 2017 | SILENTLY THE GIANTS HAVE GROWN
AND FAITH
AT NEW
COMFORTER T
he New Comforter Church has long been a foundation in the lives of people, its members and those who benefit from the myriad of ministries that the church has developed during the past four decades. Most notably, its founder, the late Charles F. Lightner, led his congregation in building 22 senior citizens apartment units. Known as the Cedar Oaks Retirement Center, the project was completed in 2000. “My father conceived of the idea to build senior housing nearly twenty years before the project was completed,” said Pastor Kervin Lightner who now leads New Comforter. “He and my late mother (First Lady Margie Lightner) were visionaries who loved God and the people they were called to serve,” said Pastor Lightner who is about to graduate from the Southern Bible Institute. “He was a man of purpose, vision and love whose faith was evident in everything that he did. He loved his work. He loved the people he was called to serve.” Raised in New Comforter with his brothers and sister, Pastor Lightner, who recently retired from the United States Post Office after 20 years of service, said that he and members of New Comforter would continue the work that his father and mother, began when they founded the church in 1974. In addition to senior housing, New Comforter also has a child development center. Started in 2012, the center serves infants and elementary school children. “At New Comforter we believe that we must meet the spiritual, educational and economic needs of the community we serve,” said Pastor Lightner who resides in DeSoto with his wife, Terri, and their daughters, Ashelee and Myra. “We intend to build a school and library in the community,” Pastor Lightner said. “We also want to help launch small businesses. We believe that we must live and work to improve the lives of people. That is at the very heart of our mission.” | AR
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Pastor Kervin Lightner assumed the pulpit after the death of his father, Reverend Charles Lightner. His church is a cornerstone in the Dallas faith community.
Avoiding Financial Stress
BUSINESS | April 2017
We live in economically challenging times and the lack of income and personal savings are major sources of stress in our lives, and in the lives of our children. While many parents believe that children are not concerned about the financial state of their households, some studies indicate that 30 percent of young people are worried about their family’s financial condition. A survey from the American Psychological Association found that more than 75 percent of American families said that income was a “significant” reason for stress. The mental uncertainty that is associated with inadequate income should be recognized, and people should take steps to manage and
abate the related stress, according to financial experts and sociologists. Those who find themselves in stressful financial situations will cope better if they recognize the habits that cause their financial problems, and attempt to address them. Many financial experts recommend that families get together and identify ways in which they can reduce the amount of money that they spend for living expenses. It is not uncommon for those who are facing economic uncertainty to turn to habits such as drinking, smoking and gambling. Financial stress can lead to arguments between family members that often permanently damage re-
Arguments about money tend to be extremely emotional and stressful.
lationships between spouses, and between parents and children. It’s been found that arguments about money tend to be extremely emotional and often the stress associated with arguing creates permanent damage in marriages and relationships. It does not have to be that way. If you are unable to control your spending habits and your problems worsen, you should seek the advice of a professional credit counseling service. Or seek out a financial
planner who can help bring your family’s expenses under control. It is important to include your children in your discussions about family financial matters. Let everyone know the items that are most important to the success of your family. Including your children will assist them in understanding the importance of saving money for their futures. Work as a team when it comes to financial matters. Select a regular time during the course of the month to review and discuss financial issues. Make managing your money as much fun as possible. In the long run, every family member will benefit; your family will become strong and grow closer. | AR
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Family Finds Strength In Music April 2017 | YOUNG PEOPLE OF FAITH
Goodness, grace and prayer are at the heart of the home that Richard Harding shares with his wife, Sue, and their grandson, Jared, who they adopted seven years ago. The family has a band called “The Lonely Wolves” that performs for ministries, veterans groups and the public. Jared, 14, plays the guitar and drums. He also writes most of the band’s songs, and is its lead singer. “My faith has done many things for me in my life,” said Jared, who will be a first year high school student this fall at Lowery Freshman Center in Allen. “It has gotten me through both personal and medical crises that I have faced in my life. My philosophy of life is that I want to become better, not bitter.”
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Jared has brought great joy into the lives of his grandparents.
Jared composes many of his songs in the middle of the night. He writes the lyrics and shares them with his grandparents. He was inspired to write after hearing a song that his grandfather had written for
a fellow police officer who was killed in the line of duty. “I am thankful to God and to my grandparents who saved me from all the pain and stress that I had in my life,” said Jared who is cur-
rently home-schooled by his grandmother. “I want to inspire people with my music, especially young people. Too many of us do not take responsibility for the things that we do. Taking responsibility is very important.” “Jared has been a blessing in our lives,” said Richard, who like his wife was raised in Dallas. “He has made our lives complete. We both think that he will do great things with his life that he will serve people and help to make the world a better place.” “We are blessed to have a wonderful grandson, and I am blessed to have a wonderful husband,” said Sue who worked in education for more than two decades. “Our faith is what gives us balance, and what keeps us moving forward.” | AR
Pursuing Educational Excellence A
LEARNING | April 2017
s advances in science and technology continue to emerge in the global society, the importance of undergraduate and graduate degrees cannot be understated. According to the United States Census Bureau, students who earn a college degree will earn nearly $1 million more during their lifetimes than those who graduate from high school. In addition to financial benefits, educational researchers state that college graduates have more job opportunities, more leisure time and experience a higher quality of living than high school graduates. For the most part, college graduates have more job stability and receive more benefits than those
who end their educations after completing the 12th grade. College graduates are more than likely to receive healthcare benefits and a pension. While in college many students are exposed to thinking and individuals that they did not experience in high school. Some encounter different cultures, and come to know students and instructors from various countries. This is very important in a global society, experts say. College professors and instructors train students to think analytically, urging students to think critically about issues and problems, and to develop academic discipline. Researchers have found that college graduates have
Saving for college should begin while students are in elementary school!
healthier lifestyles, having been exposed to the importance of proper nutrition and the value of exercise. They, in turn, present what they learned to their children who at very early ages begin to speak about emulating their parents, and attending college. The societal benefits produced by college graduates are numerous. Because college graduates are more likely to have higher incomes, they are able to contribute significantly to the tax base of our society. Their presence in the mar-
ketplace is a major factor in creating lower levels of unemployment. Students and their families should view college as an investment in the future. It can be costly and time consuming, but in the end, the benefits will far exceed the sacrifices that were made to acquire a college degree. Planning and saving for college should begin while students are in elementary school. Many states have tuition savings programs that will help tremendously with college expenses. There are also federal loan and grant programs that are available as well as scholarship opportunities for students who want to improve their lives by pursuing higher learning. | AR
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A Rabbi’s
April 2017 | SHEPHERDS IN THE PULPIT
Passion North Texas Clergyman Rabbi Andrew Paley Touts Call to Humanity, Leads Charge For Healing
Rabbi Andrew Paley is recognized as one of the country's top spiritual leaders.
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When tragedy struck Dallas last July and five members of its law enforcement community were brutally slain, Rabbi Andrew Paley, the senior rabbi of Temple Shalom located on Alpha Road in North Dallas, comforted families of fallen officers and their colleagues, eloquently speaking to the community and to the nation during a national memorial service with passion, grace and reverence. Assisting others is central to Rabbi Paley’s life and ministry. The spiritual leader of Temple Shalom since 2004, he has served congregations in Alaska, California, Ohio, and Florida. A native of Cleveland, members of his family expected him to become a physician, but the call to the clergy claimed his life. “When I was 17-years-old I became involved in a youth group that was led by Rabbis who connected with young people, and the issues that we faced,” he said. “The experience was exciting and thrilling for me. I enjoyed the study of Jewish beliefs and traditions, and during my high school years I began to think that I could do something substantive in the faith.” Rabbi Paley was ordained by the Hebrew Union College—Jewish CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
SHEPHERDS IN THE PULPIT | April 2017
CONTINUED ....
Institute of Religion in New York where he received a Masters Degree in Hebrew Letters. He also earned a psychology degree from The Ohio State University. He is also a nationally recognized author and editor. “Fundamental to Jewish belief is the story of Exodus,” he
said. “The Hebrew Bible reminds us that Jews were once slaves. Understanding that compels us to work to create a world in which all people are treated with dignity and respect.” Beyond the walls of Temple Shalom, Rabbi Paley is involved in a number of inter-faith activities.
“The Hebrew Bible teaches us that Jews were once slaves”
He works closely with a multi-ethnic group of clergy in North Texas called Faith Forward Dallas. “It is important to be involved with oth-
ers members of the clergy,” he said. “We are leaders who are committed to the causes of freedom and justice for all people.” A member of the Dallas Mayor’s Task Force on Poverty, Rabbi Paley is a member of the Interfaith Advisory Committee of the North Texas Food Bank and serves as an honorary director of the Dallas Hebrew Free Loan Association. Rabbi Paley and his wife, Deborah Niederman, have two children. Their daughter, Molly, is a first year student at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and their son, Samuel, is a sophomore at Plano Academy High School. Deborah Niederman is the past president of the Association for Reform Jewish Educators. “I believe that I have been called by God to serve humanity,” said Rabbi Paley. “Being able to give to others has been a blessing.” | AR
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The Benefits of Exercise! April 2017 | TO YOUR HEALTH
Daily exercise helps individuals who are depressed and in many instances will prevent the condition, according to health professionals. In a study of more than one million people, researchers determined that there was a significant relationship between fitness and mental health. The study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, concluded that activities such as brisk walking and jogging helped to improve the health of those who participated in those exercises. Leading health professionals say that walking quickly for thirty minutes five times during the week, or sixty minutes three times each week, have a substantial effect in combating mild to moderate symptoms of depression. In addition to improving mental
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health, physical exercise helps to lower blood pressure, protects against heart disease and improves the moods of participants, according to health professionals.
Diabetes. Exercises that include continued physical motion increase stamina. Experts also say that nearly any type of regular exercise will help to relieve
Regular exercise also helps people in their efforts to lose weight. Maintaining a healthy weight decreases the possibility of developing conditions such as Type 2
stress, and improve sleeping. It is important to select an exercise that you enjoy and if you have not exercised for an extended period of time, you should consult a
health professional before commencing a program. Very popular forms of exercise include walking, climbing stairs, biking, dancing, weightlifting, swimming, and gardening. Additionally, some seniors and others who are unable to stand for long periods of time without falling can perform chair exercises that include the movements of legs, arms, fingers, the neck and the back. The right movements in those areas are beneficial, and can lead to an improved quality of life. If possible find a partner to exercise with you, join a group or health club. Being with another person or with others who are concerned about physical and mental health is encouraging. Remember, regular exercise is extremely important to remaining healthy! | AR
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LEGAL LINES | April 2017
f you have been charged with a criminal offense, served with divorce papers, injured in an accident, or received notice of a lawsuit, you
should seek and retain the advice of legal counsel. Even those who are not facing court proceedings will find the advice of lawyers valuable. Lawyers can be very helpful to those who are suddenly confronted with confusing rules and regulations involving business transactions, estate planning, the writing of
wills and tax laws. If you are charged with a crime you should contact a lawyer immediately. There are certain rights that you have that you may not be aware of that can protect you. Most people are not aware of these rights, but a lawyer will know what they are, and advise you regarding your constitutionally guaranteed protections. In American society, the law is designed to protect people, their businesses and their property. The law, however, can be very confusing for most people who have not had legal training. Services provided by lawyers in our society are different. Some lawyers practice criminal law while others have practices that are civil in nature. If you have been charged with a crime, you do not want to engage the services of a lawyer whose practice is primarily civil
litigation. Consequently, if you have been injured in an accident, you do not want to hire a bankruptcy attorney. You want to engage the services of a firm or an individual whose practice is consistent with the situation that you are facing. When hiring a lawyer it is wise to check with a local bar association or ask a friend or neighbor if they know a quality lawyer who produced results that were beneficial. Sometimes it is best to speak with more than one lawyer before you make a decision on legal representation. Retaining an experienced lawyer is crucial for individuals who are seeking justice and fairness. The laws of this country exist to protect its citizens. Legal representation will help to guarantee that you are the beneficiary of that protection. | AR
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April 2017 | A FAMILY OF FAITH
GOODNESS ATTRACTING GOODNESS T A North Texas Muslim Community
he members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in North Texas strive to build bridges between people of various beliefs. Through their blood drives, disaster relief efforts and interfaith activities they seek to contribute to the society beyond the walls of the mosque that they built in Allen. “Our faith teaches us that we must perform good works in the world,” said Suhail Kausar, the president of the community. “We believe that all people are children
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of God, and that they must be treated with equal respect and dignity. People must have peace in their hearts, and demonstrate that peace to their fellow human beings through the way in which they conduct their lives.” Kausar said that the men and women of his community are taught to share what they have with their neighbors and to avoid conflicts among themselves and with others. “We believe that peace in one’s heart and in the world is crucial to
“We believe that we must come to the assistance of those who suffer. It does not matter to us whether or not they are members of our faith. They are children of God and it is our duty to assist them during their time of need ... ”
the well-being of all people,” he said. “It is something that we work towards each day that we live.” When some Texas families were devastated by tornadoes in December of 2015, Kausar and his members were among those who rushed to assist them, providing those who had lost everything with food and clothing. “We believe that we must come to the assistance of those who
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A FAMILY OF FAITH | April 2017
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President Suhail Kausar, left, and the people of his Mosque, have opened their hearts to their neighbors of all faiths.
suffer,” he said. “It does not matter to us whether or not they are members of our faith. They are children of God and it is our duty to assist them during their time of
need. This is who we are. We believe that America is a great country because it thrives on principles of freedom and charity.” Recently, a man who was not a Muslim, approached Kausar and members of his mosque as they
were leaving a prayer service. The man expressed his frustrations regarding conflicts amongst people of different faiths. He offered to work with Kausar and his members to create more interfaith dialogue.
“The man began to cry,” Kausar said. “I could feel his compassion and his humanity. I believe that most people feel as he does. We simply have to reach out to one another and embrace the goodness that we all share.” | AR
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April 2017 | PROPERTY AND REAL ESTATE
Selling Your Home
Whenever you attempt to sell a home there are a number of items that should be considered. One of them, of course, is getting the best possible return on the investment that you have made. You want to get the very best price for the home that you and your family purchased and improved throughout the years. Preparing your home for sale is extremely important. Painting the exterior and interior of the dwelling, replacing appliances and refinishing floors are crucial, and will make your property more appealing to potential buyers. You also might want to consider removing personal items from your home so that it does not appear cluttered. You can temporarily place them in storage or in your garage.
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Make certain that the price you are asking is realistic. And insist that your agent informs potential buyers about features that make your home attractive such as the quality of local schools, the wholesomeness of your community and the close proximity of shopping areas.
Place a video tour of your home on YouTube. Let others experience your home.
If you have charming neighbors invite them to attend any open houses that you host. Prospective buyers will enjoy meeting pleasant people who will become their
new neighbors. Share your home with potential buyers on Facebook and ask your friends to share it as well with their circle of friends. Just imagine the large number of people you will reach by using the internet. Choosing an agent for a sale is extremely important. It is not always wise to select an agent because they have the least expensive commission rate. Always interview more than one agent, and when you select someone make sure they have good negotiation skills. That will help you in getting the best price for your home. It is important that you price your home correctly. If your asking price is far greater than the market price of homes in your neighborhood, you may not sell your home. It may sit on the market for a prolonged period, and potential buyers may become concerned that there is something wrong with your property. | AR
April 2017
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