featured.php

<?php

// Get our Featured Content
$featured = UNIQUETHEMENAME_get_featured_content();

// If we have no posts, our work is done here
if ( empty( $featured ) )
    return;
?>

<h3>Featured</h3>

<?php
foreach ( $featured as $post ) : setup_postdata( $post ); ?>
        <div class="featured-post">
            <?php the_post_thumbnail('thumbnail'); ?>
            <h4><?php the_title(); ?></h4>
            <?php the_excerpt(); ?>
        </div><!-- .slide -->
    <?php endforeach; ?>