Cafeteria Covenant

the voice, the choice, and the challenge

Christian - Non-Fiction
136 Pages
Reviewed on 12/12/2012
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

With credits ranging from songwriting to freelance feature writing for local newspapers, Dee Marvin Emeigh is a truly a journalist, but also enjoys writing flash fiction and poetry. Her first book, Cafeteria Covenant: the voice, the choice, and the challenge is an autobiographical comeback story that examines abuse of power in churches and delivers a revelation of the New Covenant intended to change the reader’s view of God.

A talented singer-songwriter, Emeigh has produced several solo albums. Two selections from her most recent CD project, Well SEASONED, have received radio play internationally. A former photojournalist, her images have been published around the globe as well.

Yet, Emeigh is passionate about literacy and has taught secondary English, reading intervention and literacy classes, as well as graduate classes in literature and language acquisition. She holds a B.S. in Literature and M. Ed. degrees in Reading (Specialist) and TESOL Literacy.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Darin Godby for Readers' Favorite

Author Dee Marvin Emeigh writes beautifully on how we are challenged within life to live above the standard of the world and follow the example of Jesus Christ. "Cafeteria Covenant - The Voice, The Choice and the Challenge" gives evidence that those within the church, at times, can be some of the most difficult people to deal with. The reader will see the struggles the author encountered with others within the church.

Still, this is a book of encouragement and support for the believer. It allows the reader to see the bigger picture, even if they are encountering hurt and discouraging moments from those within the church. Author Emeigh went through a rough marriage that led to a divorce, having to deal with God's call upon her life, and if she could move past this and fulfill that calling. Even after individuals work through their struggles, those in the church can prevent the person from moving forward. Continually holding the past over them, they cause the individual to feel less spiritual and less able to fulfill their calling. They continually hold the past over them, causing them to feel less spiritual and unable to fulfill that calling.

Emeigh helps the reader understand that no matter what is in the past, the call of God is real and current. The author provides great insights for helping the believer move forward in the faith. She also reminds believers to listen to the voice of God and not allow the church or the world cause them to give up and quit.

This is a very encouraging and supportive book that anyone within the church would benefit from.

Tamera Lawrence

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.

Lee Ashford

“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.