When the over all lot drainage is towards the house____can be used to direct water away from the house?

The word you want is swale. It is a small ditch about 6 to 8 inches deep and about 10 feet wide. Be sure the swale is directed down slope and around the house. The extra soil can be used to create a gently sloping mound on the down slope side. This mound increased the overall depth. The size described can handle a lot of runoff but still be easy to cross with a lawn mower.