Mark Batterson: How Please, Sorry, and Thanks Can Change Your Life

Mark Batterson is an influential pastor and a prolific author of over twenty-three books. His latest book, Please, Sorry, Thanks: the Three Words that Change Everything digs into how every relationship can be positively affected by a new revelation and application of these three words in our lives. I think you’ll really enjoy my interview with him today on The Christian Habits Podcast (links below).

Things We Discussed on the Podcast

* How we only need to really be good at three things in our relationships: please, sorry, and thanks

* Why “please” is much more than just a polite word

* The shift from a “here I am” to a “there you are” mentality

* Four principles of peace-making that Mark applies in his ministries

* Why “sorry” needs to be specific

* The value of personalizing your “please”

* The Law of Reciprocity regarding gratitude

* How a gratitude journal helps us to take every thought captive according to 1 Cor. 10:5

* Comment on my Facebook page under this episode’s post for a chance to win a free book!

Resources Mentioned on the Podcast

* Please, Sorry, Thanks by Mark Batterson

* Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman

Notable Quotes from Please, Sorry, Thanks by Mark Batterson

* Nothing opens doors like PLEASE. Nothing mends fences like SORRY. Nothing builds bridges like THANKS.

* Please is the way we level the playing field and find common ground. Please is the way we show respect, even to those we disagree with. Please is the way we bring some civility back to the public square. Please is one of the most important words we can ever say.

* Without empathy, our apologies are empty. Saying sorry without feeling sorry sends mixed signals. Are you or aren’t you sorry? You have to own the apology!

* Nothing mends fences like sorry. Every apology begins with empathy. It’s a heart that breaks for the things that break the heart of God.

* Nothing builds bridges like thanks. The theology of thanks starts with the things we take for granted. It’s cultivating profound gratitude for the things we overlook and under-appreciate.

* Please is a first-person plural approach to life. It turns “me” into “we.” It’s a win-win approach to relationships.

About Mark Batterson

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. One church in multiple locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Capital Turnaround, Miracle Theatre and the DC Dream Center. Mark is the New York Times bestselling author of 23 books, including Please, Sorry, Thanks: The Three Words That Change Everything and Win the Day, as well as several books for children, including The Best Worst Day Ever, written with his daughter Summer. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill and have three children. Visit markbatterson.com and @‌MarkBatterson for more information.

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