K.I.S.S.

No, I am referring to neither the extremely pleasant verb (wink, wink, nudge, nudge), nor the perpetual rock group who, like the Rolling Stones, does not know when to quit.  I am, however, referring to the KISS principle.

"KISS is an acronym for the design principle articulated by Kelly Johnson, 'Keep it simple stupid!'.  The KISS principle states that most systems work best if they are kept simple rather than made complex, therefore simplicity should be a key goal in design and unnecessary complexity should be avoided.  The acronym was coined by Johnson, lead engineer at the Lockheed Skunk Works (creators of the Lockheed U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird spy planes, among many others). 

While popular usage translates it as 'Keep it simple, stupid', Johnson translated it as 'Keep it simple stupid', and this reading is still used by many authors. There was no implicit meaning that an engineer was stupid; just the opposite.

The principle is best exemplified by the story of Johnson handing a team of design engineers a handful of tools, with the challenge that the jet aircraft they were designing must be repairable by an average mechanic in the field under combat conditions with only these tools. Hence, the 'stupid' refers to the relationship between the way things break and the sophistication available to fix them."          ~Stolen from Wikipedia

It is a great principle.  Why over-complicate something which doesn't need to be.  The Bible shares this principle with us as well.

Luke 18:15-17 (KJV)

"And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.'"

"Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein!!!"  Little children take things they hear on faith.  They do not question things.  They do not yet to understand doubt.

They trust.

Things are not overly complicated to a child, "Daddy said it, I believe it!" Done. Simple.

From the other side of things, once a child learns the power of one phrase (if taught with conviction and true application) the child will use it A LOT.  The phrase, "I'm sorry."  If a child has been taught this phrase, they understand to ask forgiveness when they have done something wrong.  Sure, while it may not be a true exploration of repentance and contrition when a child says it... Do I dare ask how many times we have said it and it just rang hollow (both to God and man)?  It does, however, show the quickness and willingness of a child to ask forgiveness, as we should when we sin or fall short.

I read a quote the other day and cannot remember from whence it originated.  It was:

'If all we said in prayer was, "I'm sorry,  I love you, and help me," it would be enough.'

And that statement is true.  It is simple.  Simple is good.  We can get bogged down in theology proper and lose sight of what is important, a relationship.  There is a line in the song "Love Is All" by Je'Kob:

"Build your relation, and kill your religion."

To me, that is the epitome of keeping it simple.  Do not get lost in the endless genealogies or dig so deep into the details of things that you lose your ability after stumbling to just look up and cry out, "Daddy, help me!" and know your Father who loves you will be right there to pick you up, dust off your knees, and point you back in the right direction.

Keep It Simple Stupid.  It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to get it right, just someone who believes as a little child does.  Get in contact with your inner child and move forward.

Rejoice and be glad.