"Everything is free," says Christina, age 12. "Everyone lives in a mansion. No one has to go to work. There are no house payments."

We forget that our original parents lived in a paradise resort called Eden. God made the house payments and provided room service. Homelessness started when Adam and Eve sinned. God closed Eden.

Contrary to some, work is not part of the curse. Prior to the first sin, God told Adam to tend and keep the garden. After eviction from Eden, work became difficult. Amid the thorns and thistles of the ground God cursed, Adam ate bread by the sweat of his brow.

But there won't be any sweating in heaven. Jesus promised a place on his throne to faithful believers who overcome (Revelation 3:21). Trust me. This is a job you will want. Make sure your resume is in order.

"Heaven is a place that is so beautiful, you would think it was make-believe. It's perfect," says Molly, 9.

"The Endless Summer" is a classic 1966 documentary film that chronicled two surfers' global search for the perfect wave. This small-budget movie shot by one filmmaker with one camera opened in the middle of winter in a Kansas theater.

Why was the film a hit? The movie takes viewers to gorgeous spots in California, Africa, Australia, Tahiti, New Zealand and Hawaii. In the midst of incredible waves, breathtaking scenery and brilliant sunsets, the filmmaker touched people's inborn desire for the endless summer in paradise.

Deep inside, we're hardwired for paradise. Incredibly, that's where God wants us to come. If we're awed by the wonder of paradise spots in a world cursed with sin, can we really imagine the beauty of heaven or Earth free from sin's effects?

"Heaven is paradise," says Jake, 9. "The weather is nice.

It never rains. Nothing can go wrong. My dad will not have a scar in the middle of his head. We will be perfect."

Many are so jaded by the abuse we've suffered, we can't even imagine a world free from pain and misery. Sometimes, it takes a child like Annslee, 11, to show us the way: "Heaven is beautiful with no hurt or talking about people and no drugs. It's all good.

"You will be beautiful. Clouds are floating. Kids are laughing and praying with Jesus. You get everything you want, and you have beautiful voices to sing for God's glory. Sunflowers are everywhere. Streets are made of gold! And it smells heavenly."

For more insight, Trey, 9, says: "Trees in heaven are full with rich fruit. And everywhere you go, you can feel and see the glory of God" (Revelation 21:23).

Yes, glory can be felt. It has weight. The Apostle Paul wrote, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Corinthians 4:17). If you suffer for righteousness' sake, God will add to your eternal weight of glory.

Think about this: None of us can receive glory for our entrance into heaven. We enter by grace through faith in the all-glorious Lord Jesus Christ. In his death, he paid our entrance price. But rewards are a different matter. God wants to share his glory by rewarding faithful believers in a place above and beyond the original paradise from which Adam and Eve fell.

Ask this question: Have you ever considered that as a Christian you can add to heaven's glory by faithfully serving the Lord?

Memorize this truth: II Corinthians 4:17 previously quoted.

Win a dude ranch vacation by entering the Children's International Arts Festival, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and the "Mission Explorers Video Series," and listen to a talking book at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CAREY KINSOLVING

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.