IN THE NEWS

Hallelujah horsepower
By BOB LINK, Of The Globe Gazette
May 19, 2003; Globe Gazette

MASON CITY — Sweat dripped from Jim Juhl’s brow Sunday morning in the North Iowa Fairgrounds Arena.

It was hard to tell whether he was working harder preaching, or handling his trick horse.

It was obvious he was enjoying himself.

“God has given us an incredible opportunity,” he told a small audience. “We’re traveling around to rodeos, church auditoriums and events like this, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings ... he’s the Lord of Lords.”

Jim and Jacque Juhl of Cedar Falls presented their “Trick Horse Ministry” at the North Iowa Horse Expo.

The banner across the horse trailer in the center of the arena read: “Cowboy up for Jesus.”

People clapped as the upbeat music filled the arena. Moments later Jim Juhl appeared from behind the trailer.

Holding his cowboy hat over his heart and raising his other arm above his head he opened the service with a prayer.

Juhl started by talking about his life, being active in horse shows and helping his daughter, Jennifer Sonne of Charles City, compete in Miss Rodeo Iowa and national competition.

His story included problems with anxiety and his heart.

On his way to Rochester, Minn., during a bout with his heart problem, Juhl said he was touched with the spirit of God.

At one point he wanted to die, then someone asked him, “If you would die today, how would you face Jesus Christ?”

That was six years ago — about the same time a paint horse named Snugs came into his life.

“I’ve wanted to train a trick horse since I was 9 years old,” he said.

“We’re not here today by accident,” Juhl continued. “We’re not on earth by accident. God has a plan for each of your lives.”

Moments later Snugs joined Juhl in the arena and the horseman quoted Scripture while putting the horse threw a series of tricks.

“There are a lot of people out there who are hurting,” he said. “God wants nothing more for us than to smile and offer to help them out.”

The horse responded by lifting its head and showing its teeth.

Snugs later whinnied when Juhl talked about making a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Quoting Scripture, Juhl said, “Man can show no greater love than by laying down his life for another.”

At that point the large show horse went to its knees and laid down.

Holding a Bible in one hand and Snugs’ halter rope in the other, Juhl said, “This book is full of promises. And it doesn’t matter if you believe it or not ... but it has changed my life.”

For one of the horse’s last tricks, Juhl and Snugs took to a knee in prayer.

Elsie Wunderlich and Leisha Bielefeld, both 11 and from Mason City, took a break from the booth they were working in to attend the service.

“That horse did awesome things I have never seen before,” Wunderlich said. “It’s pretty ... I love that horse.”

Bielefeld said she liked the trick demonstrating faith.

Juhl blindfolded the horse and had him step up and stand on a small platform.

“Snugs has to have complete faith in me,” Juhl said. “It’s the same kind of faith we should have in God.”