function mytheme_get_posts( $cat_id, $offset, $posts ) { ?>
<div class="entry">
<?php query_posts( 'cat='. $cat_id .'&offset='. $offset .'&showposts='. $posts ); ?>
<?php if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) : the_post(); ?>
<div class="one-third column">
<img src="<?php the_post_thumbnail();?>" alt="<?php the_title(); ?>" />
<h4><a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></h4>
</div>
<?php endwhile; endif; // end of the loop. ?>
<?php wp_reset_query(); ?>
<div class="clear"></div>
</div><!--/ .entry -->
<?php }