We are valuable, is the message given by Dee Marvin Emeigh in her book "Cafeteria Covenant". Dee shares her salvation experience through Jesus Christ and the life altering journey to follow. Dee takes an honest look at how a Christian’s life isn't perfect – faults abound. Even Christians can be cruel with their judgmental comments and oppressive attitudes that often lead to conflict in churches, sometimes doing more damage than good. Dee gives a candid look at her first marriage to a thoughtless man who gave little regard to his wife’s feelings or his inability to change to make the marriage work. So then comes the conflict of what to do if a marriage fails? Divorce is frowned upon in the Bible. People often blame the woman – in Dee’s case it is alleged that she isn't submissive enough. Take a deeper look into one woman’s journey to find inner peace and inner joy as she tries to find out what God’s will is for her.

"Cafeteria Covenant" by Dee Marvin Emeigh is an emotional tale of what it’s like to be a Christian in today’s imperfect world. The term Butterfly Christian is a new term for me and a term applying to most folks if they are truly honest. For Christians are far from perfect as Dee points out in so many ways. Churches can get lost in doctrine. Dee Marvin Emeigh is a wonderful writer who shares her special gifts not only in her writing but also in her music. "Cafeteria Covenant" points out that there is more to God then church walls - there is the future promise of eternal life through his grace.

“Cafeteria Covenant: the Voice, the Choice, and the Challenge” by Dee Marvin Emeigh presents a very real challenge to the global Christian Church. Dee begins by sharing her painful struggle to become a “normal” Christian, compliant with whatever doctrine was being taught at whatever denominational facility she was attending at that moment in time. She compares and contrasts her reality with what she was told should be her reality. She was frequently given mixed signals in the form of conflicting statements from various people purporting to be providing her with guidance and wisdom from their own positions of alleged superiority. Her fundamental differences of opinion with various church “leaders” led her to become what she dubbed “a practicing visitor”, as she was compelled to continually seek new churches where her God-given gifts could be utilized.

The author states several times throughout the book, and again on the final page, that she knew all along this would be a controversial book. She challenges all Christian denominations to do two significant (controversial) things: unite (the word “unite” does not imply that all Christians should become Unitarians) all denominations and independent “free” churches so that the world will know Christians by their mutual love (in contrast to the widely held -- and perhaps true -- belief that the various denominations hate each other); and acknowledge one another’s freedom under the New Covenant to NOT be bound by any one denomination’s doctrine. In other words, she expresses her Biblical understanding that each individual is free to believe or disbelieve various tangential “rules” established by denominational leadership, affirming that the individual’s relationship with God and belief in Jesus as the Messiah is the only belief necessary to be a Christian. While I agree this book is controversial, I recommend it as one of several texts a student of Christianity should study. There is wisdom to be gained in this book.