The comment that turned into a blog...
RT Tiffany Tracy: Something is on my mind: we keep hearing people say that God allows things to happen. This isn't something we completely agree with. I'd like to know other Christians' views on this way of thinking and why it may or may not be true. 
Our Answer:
To the Hebrew, there is no good vs. evil as such. The Bible shows over and over God in control, Satan defeated, and God is the ultimate power- the only beings that we know God has allowed to make their own choices are people and angels (see Lucifer). So Job 1, and other passages, have God as the source of all that happens- with what we see as perfect & permissive will. God allows some things to come into our lives, and puts some things in our lives (Genesis 22; Psalm 66; Acts 17; James 1). 

God doesn't cause everything to happen. As Emily said in response to your note, people have free will. We can choose to cooperate with God's purposes in our lives and others, or not. Our choices, righteous or sinful, affect us and others in impossible-to-see ways over generations- families, communities, nature and the world are changed by our choices (e.g., Hitler, people dumping trash & chemicals into our water and oceans, cancer from cleaning chemicals). 

To Jesus, there was no battle between good and evil, except in people's lives. Demons had no power, Satan had no authority over Jesus unless it was allowed (as in the crucifixion). But in the hearts and souls of people, God fights to free us from the dominion we have given our enemy. 
The real miracle is that God can redeem even the bad choices in lives. In Romans, Paul says "God works in all things for the good of those who love the Lord, who are called according to his purpose." Everything doesn't work together for good- GOD works in everything for our good! In your life, in my life, in the world God takes a mess and makes "Something Beautiful" (Gaither)

So Tiffany, God does allow everything. But even more, God is present everywhere- even where people would rather God not be!- and works in everything, redeeming the bad and building good, for our faith, lives and world. So cooperate fully with the Lord's work in your life and world, and most of all, know that you are loved by an all-powerful God who is on your side!