I posted my question also at https://retina-theme.com/support/forums/forum/retina-themes/retina-free-themes/ as part of the themes suggested help site. The response was:
Hello bakersoft.
you need to install the Home Page first, you are using Madar Lite as a blog style !, you should first create a blank page (without content) name it as you want for ex: “HomePage”, then choose it as a static home page from the settings in your dashboard.
follow the instruction in this page to get idea about how to start Madar Lite
after this instruction all of settings will work perfectly including flexslider, breaking news and more!
Which is exactly what I needed to resolve my problem.